National Doughnut Day: Free Donuts, History, and Recipe

National Doughnut (Donut) Day falls on the first Friday in June. Doughnut Day was created by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.

Normally I would post this on National Doughnut Day, but since many American doughnut shops offer free donuts on National Doughnut Day, I thought you'd want to plan ahead. Check out the list below--or check with your local donut shop!


National Doughnut Day started as a fund raiser for Chicago's The Salvation Army. Their goal was to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to honor The Salvation Army "Lassies" of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers.

National Doughnut Day celebrates the doughnut, an edible, ring shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened. This holiday event began in 1938 as a Chicago Salvation Army fundraiser for much needed funds during the depression. The day also recognized special women known as "Doughnut Lassies" who made and served doughnuts to homesick WWI soldiers in France, since doughnuts were thought to be the quintessential American food. Here's a song from a 1918 songbook celebrating doughnuts in WWI.

A doughnut’s just a doughnut, boys, ’til you are “over there,”
And day and night you’re in a trench away in France somewhere;
You get a fresh-made doughnut, seems it comes from heaven above,
That doughnut, boys, reminds you of a slice of mother’s love.”

Doughnuts are popular in many countries and prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and franchised specialty outlets. They are usually deep-fried from flour dough, and shaped in rings or flattened spheres that sometimes contain fillings. Other types of batters can also be used, and various toppings and flavorings are used for different types.

For a wonderful entry on Doughnut Day, go to Months of Edible Celebrations for a great discussion of the history and a recipe from Entenmann's Big Book of Baking for Chocolate Cake Donuts, as well as information about The Donut Book by Sally Levitt Steinberg, granddaughter of Adolph Levitt, the inventor of the first doughnut machine (1920). As Louise says in her entry, "Sally brings the doughnut to life." You've got to read this.

And, there are a lot of free doughnuts on Friday, June 3 this year! Subject to change, of course.

Krispie Kreme is giving out one free doughnut of any kind, no purchase necessary. (at participating stores)

LaMar's Donuts: Follow this Facebook link to get a “golden ticket” for a free donut on Friday, plus a free 16-ounce Lamar’s cup with any purchase.

Dunkin' Donuts: Buy any drink and they'll throw in a complimentary doughnut (while supplies last)

Randy's Donuts: Customers get free donut holes at this famous Los Angeles donut shop from 6 a.m. to noon.

Shipley Do-Nuts: is giving each customer one free do-nut (that's how they spell it!), 5 a.m. to noon.

Tim Horton's: is celebrating National Donut Day by handing out one free donut with any purchase made (one per customer).

Cumberland Farms: is giving out one free donut per customer buying a coffee or a fountain drink between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Honey Dew Donuts: Purchase any medium-sized beverage, and you'll get a free (Up) Beat Cancer Donut--chocolate frosted with blue and red sprinkles. This donut was created to raise cancer awareness.

Duck Donuts: Go to the Facebook page of Duck Donuts—a chain with dozens of East Coast locations  from the Jersey Shore to North Carolina—for a coupon valid for a free sugar donut on National Donut Day.

Doughnut Plant NYC: is giving out a free mini cake donut (one per order while supplies last).

Winn Dixie: locations in AL, FL, GA, LA & MS -- giving away one free "jumbo" donut hole to customers--one free per guest, per store visit, while supplies last.

Entenmann's Bakery will give away a total of more than 150,000 donuts in more than a dozen cities around the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Louisville, New Haven, New York City, and San Diego, plus Entenmann’s is hosting a sweepstakes on Facebook with 10 lucky winners getting free donuts for a year.

Look for other free donuts and celebrations in your town!
 

Here's the original  SALVATION ARMY LASSIES’ DOUGHNUT RECIPE . Not sure about the lard, but it's the original recipe, after all, so historical.


SALVATION ARMY LASSIES' DOUGHNUT RECIPE
Yield: 4 doz. doughnuts

Ingredients
5 cups flour
2 cups sugar
5 tsp baking powder
1 ‘saltspoon’ salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup milk
1 Tub lard (!!)

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients (except for lard) to make dough.
Thoroughly knead dough, roll smooth, and cut into rings that are less than 1/4 inch thick. (When finding items to cut out doughnut circles, be creative! Salvation Army doughnut girls used whatever they could find, from baking powder cans to coffee percolator tubes.)
Drop the rings into the lard, making sure the fat is hot enough to brown the doughnuts gradually.
Turn the doughnuts slowly several times.
When browned, remove doughnuts and allow excess fat to drip off.
Dust with powdered sugar. Let cool and enjoy.

The Picnic Game: Food Bloggers A-Z Picnic Basket!

This month I'm playing the Picnic Game organized by that fabulous blogger Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations! Each letter of the alphabet is taken by a different food blogger who posts what they're bringing to the Perfect Virtual Picnic A-Z! Want to find out about the history of the picnic game? Be sure and read the story at Months of Edible Celebrations.

I've been going to this picnic for 5 years! This year I chose the letter "K." I posted "K" is for Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread last week. Very portable for the picnic. Thanks, Louise, for organizing this virtual feast!

So here's the line-up for the Picnic Game this year! Lots of wonderful recipes and foods from all my favorite food bloggers to enjoy in 'real' time and at your 'real' picnic.

A is for Angel Food Cake

B is for Basil Leaves in Caramelized Prawns 

C is for Chicken Piccata

D is for Darned Easy Potato Salad

E is for Eccles Cakes filled with Leeks, Spinach and Blue Cheese

F is for Fourth of July Picnic S'more Tartlets 

G is for Gluten-free & Eggless Chocolate Steamed Cake

H is for Ham Cheesy Patties

I is for Italian Frittata with Vegetables.

J is for Jelly Roll

K is for Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread

L is for Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

M is for Meringue Roulade with Raspberries

N is for Nutella Rice Pudding

O is for Old-Time Favorite Iced Red Bean Popsicles

P is for Pickles

Q is for Quinoa Blueberry Mango Salad

R is for Raspberry & Fig Cobbler

S is for Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream (Helado de frutillas y cheescake)

T is for Two-Ingredient Ice Cream Bread 

U is for Uninvited (no one took this letter, but "you" can feast on everything here!)

V is for Vegan Mango Salsa

W is for Watermelon Salad

X is for “Xmas Coconut Wreath Cake”

Y is for Yellow Squash Crustless Quiche

 Z is for Zucchini Cake-Double Chocolate

K is for Kahlua: Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread

"I'm going on a picnic,"and I have the letter "K".  I'm not sure how many years I've been playing the Picnic Game organized by that fabulous blogger Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations! Each letter of the alphabet is taken by a different food blogger who will post what they're bringing to the Perfect Picnic A-Z! Want to find out about the history of the picnic? Be sure and read the story at Months of Edible Celebrations. I'll be posting all the recipes from the different blogs on June 30, so you can have your own Virtual Picnic... or Real Picnic!

So this year I chose the letter "K" because I love Kahlua! This Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread is great to take on a picnic because it travels well, but a heads-up. Because this recipe includes a hefty amount of Kahlua, you might want to reserve it for adults!

So while I decided to bring something with Kahlua on the 'picnic', I remembered that I should have made some homemade Kahlua.. too late to have it ready for the picnic this year, but if you start now,  you'll have some for your next picnic..to drink or use in baked goods or other drinks and sweets!

Homemade Kahlua

Ingredients
4 cups water
4 cups sugar
2 ounces instant coffee
1 vanilla bean
Fifth of vodka or bourbon

Directions
Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add the 4 cups sugar and cook until dissolved. Add the instant coffee. Simmer slowly - do not boil!
Add vanilla bean and 1/5 vodka or bourbon.
Bottle and cap. Leave for a month or more!

Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread
This recipe makes one loaf, but it can easily be doubled. You can also substitute oil for the butter.  I love quick breads. They're fast and easy, and you only use one bowl! And, they're great to take on a picnic. Because this Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chunks has Kahlua in it, you might want to take it on an 'adult' picnic only.

Ingredients
2 cups flour (all-purpose, but you can use 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup all purpose)
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) sweet butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup Kahlua
1 cup shredded zucchini
3 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped into smallish chunks

Directions
In medium bowl, sift flour with soda and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl of electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then Kahlua. (Don't worry if it seems curdled). Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed until blended. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chunks to distribute evenly.
Pour into greased and floured 8-1/2 × 4 inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until wood pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan 10 minutes.
Turn out onto wire rack and cool completely.

Have fun at the Virtual Picnic! Here are the Letters A-J. Be sure and come back on June 30 for the entire alphabet!

A is for Angel Cake

B is for Basil Leaves in Caramelized Prawns

C is for Chicken Piccata

D to come

E is for Eccles Cakes filles with Leeks, Spinach and Blue Cheese

F is for Fourth of July Picnic S'more Tartlets

G to come

H is for Ham Cheesy Patties

I to come

J to come

The Picnic Game A-Z

This week I'm playing the Picnic Game organized by that fabulous blogger Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations! Each letter of the alphabet is taken by a different food blogger who post what they're bringing to the Perfect Virtual Picnic A-Z! Want to find out about the history of the picnic? Be sure and read the story at Months of Edible Celebrations.

I'm going to a picnic, and I chose the letter "D", so yesterday I posted my Dying for Chocolate Chocolate Cake. No icing! Very portable for the picnic.



So here's the line-up for the Picnic Game. Lots of wonderful recipes and foods to enjoy in 'real' time and at your 'real' picnic.
 
A is for Aloo Gobi 

B is for Blueberry Cucumber Salsa

C is for Crispy Curry Fried Chicken

D is for DyingforChocolate Chocolate Cake
 
E is for Eton Mess

F is for Fish In A Jar

G is for Golden Pillow Hee Ban

H is for Hummingbird Cake

I is for Ice Cream Sandwiches

J is for Jersey Hot Dogs

K is for Kahlua Mocha Ice Cream

L is for Light and Soft Japanese Cheesecake

M-To Come

N is for Nettle Quinoa Tart

O is for Oriental Pasta Salad

P is for Pan de Mango

Q is for Quinoa Pizza Balls

R is for Rainbow Connection Cupcakes

S is for Strawberry- Yogurt Ice Cream

T is for Telosma Cordata Eucheuma Jelly

U is for U-Never Fail Cheesecake

V is for Vanilla & Cream Cheese Pound Cake & Citrus Glaze

W is for Watermelon Sorbet

X is for Xtra good Walnut Apple Cake

Y is for Yakon Kelp Soup

Z is for Zucchine in Padella con Aceto e Peperoncino 

G is for Goat Cheese: The Picnic Game

I'm going on a Picnic, and G is for Goat Cheese. I'm putting Goat Cheese in my salad and and making a Goat Cheese Chocolate Hazelnut Spread to go on a crunchy baguette to accompany my salad. And, yes, there will be Chocolate--in all three components of these picnic foods.

Today I'm participating in Months of Edible Celebrations Picnic Game. This is my third year, and the food choices get better and better every year. Multiple food bloggers choose a letter and write a post using that Letter -- bringing a fabulous dish to this International Virtual Picnic. Since I'm G, I'm linking to the Letters A-F at the end of this post. On July 1, I hope to link to them all! Thanks, Louise, for setting up the Picnic Game again this year. I know it's a lot of work.

So G is for Goat Cheese, and I'm making a Mixed Green Salad with Goat Cheese and Cocoa Nibs drizzled with a Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette! But because we're going to a picnic, you won't want to dress your salad until you get there. But you can make it and take it in a clean container.

Now what's a good salad without a crunchy baguette and cheese? I'm partial to Acme Bakery's baguettes, but whatever you can find. Just make sure your baguette is fresh. Below you'll find a great recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Goat Cheese Spread that I adapted from the Raley's  (supermarket) website. As I've said many times, you can find great and easy recipes in all kinds of places. Remember to always use the very best ingredients, and adapt to your personal taste. I love this spread because it has the tanginess of the Goat Cheese, the sweetness of the chocolate, and the crunchiness of the hazelnuts. The textures, too, can't be beat!

Mixed Green Salad with Goat Cheese and Cocoa Nibs

I love salads, and I usually make them up as I go along, so there are no precise measures here.  Let's make this easy, since this is a spontaneous picnic dish...

Greens: I use either Spring Mix or Spinach in this salad. I love how easy it is to grab a bag of prepared organic greens, already rinsed and ready to serve.
 
Goat Cheese: One of my favorite companies that produce goat cheese (and other great goat products) is Redwood Hills Farm. So fresh, so fab! I get fresh goat cheese at my cheese market and crumble it for this salad. Check out your farmer's market or local shop for goat cheese, a heart healthy food!

Walnuts: I like Trader Joe's Candied Walnuts, and I chop them into smaller pieces, so they're the size of the cocoa nibs. Almost any chopped nuts will work. They don't need to be candied--toasted pecans are great in this salad, too.

Cocoa Nibs: Because I am always Dying for Chocolate, I usually throw in a handful of Cocoa nibs (not the chocolate covered kind, but the plain). Gives some added crunch to this salad.

Blueberries (optional): It's summer, so I might add a handful of blueberries, but raspberries or blackberries would be great, too. Not necessary to add berries, but they will add a hint of sweetness to this salad.

Now if I were serving this salad at home, I'd mix everything together and toss with the Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette, but you might want to plate up individual portions.. greens, nuts, cocoa nibs, blueberries and goat cheese ... and drizzle the Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette over each plate.

Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette

Tip: Use the very best balsamic vinegar you have. If you don't you'll need to reduce 'cheap' balsamic vinegar and mix it with sugar. Skip that step and use the best! As I always say, if you use quality ingredients, you'll have a better finished product. That goes for the chocolate, too.

Even though I posted a Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar recipe earlier this month, this recipe is even easier! I've include olive oil for the perfect vinaigrette.

Ingredients
1/2 cup very best quality balsamic vinegar
2 ounces dark Chocolate (75%-85% cacao), chopped
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Dash of salt
Ground pepper to taste

Directions
Combine chocolate and balsamic vinegar in small saucepan.
Cook over low heat for about 2 minutes, or until the chocolate has melted and vinegar is  reduced (so you have a syrup).
Remove from heat and put in medium sized bowl and let cool for a few minutes.
Add oil and whisk until completely combined.
Add salt & pepper & whisk again.
Put in a clean container to take to the 'picnic' or drizzle over your salad (or individual salads) directly.

Chocolate Hazelnut Goat Cheese Spread

Grab a baguette and mix up this spread. Perfect with the salad.

Ingredients
2.5  ounce dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
4  Tbsp chopped hazelnuts, toasted
1- 8 ounce goat cheese log

Directions

Combine chocolate and hazelnuts in food processor and pulse until chocolate and nuts are finely ground. Don't over process.

Roll goat cheese log in mixture, pressing to coat all sides. 

(Lightly moisten cheese with damp hands if mixture doesn't stick)

Have a fun time at the virtual picnic! Check out letters A-F! What a fabulous Feast!

A is for Artichokes Steamed and Dressed with Mayonnaise

B is for Baked Beans

C is for Cauliflower Tabbouleh

D is for Dunkin' Donuts - with Maple Syrup & Honey Frosting

E is for Eggplant Casserole

F is for Frosty Summer Salad with Cranberry, Pineapple & Beets

Chocolate Picnic Cake: The Picnic Game

I'm going on a picnic, and I'm bringing Chocolate Picnic Cake, what else?

Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations loves picnics so much, that once again this year, she's playing the International Picnic Game. Each letter of the alphabet has been taken by a different blogger who will post what they're bringing to the Perfect Picnic A-Z!

Want to find out about the history of the picnic? Be sure and read the story at Months of Edible Celebrations.

The picnic this year is filled with international recipes and posts. We're going to have fun! Check out all the recipes at all these different blogs, so you can have your own Virtual Picnic... or real!


CHOCOLATE PICNIC CAKE

There are many recipes for Chocolate Picnic Cake--some using box mixes, some from scratch, but I'm posting an easy one! The nice thing about this Chocolate Picnic Cake is that it travels so well. It doesn't have to be refrigerated, and you can actually make ahead and freeze.  This is a variation on Mary Kennedy's Chocolate Kahlua Cake and my Double Chocolate Bundt Cake. They would all travel well to a picnic--virtual or real!!

Ingredients
1 (18 ounce) box Devil's Food  or Dark Chocolate Cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)
1  package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup warm water
1- 1/2 cups 70% or higher dark chocolate (chopped) or dark chocolate chips
1 cup (16 oz) sour cream
3 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Pour into oiled and floured Bundt pan.
3. Bake at 350 for about an  hour or until tooth pick comes out clean.
4. Dust with powdered sugar.

So, I'm going on a Picnic, and I'm bringing ...

A--Almond Joy Pie 
B--Baked Beans
C--Chocolate Picnic Cake
D--Dutch Funnel Cake
E--Easy Blender Chicken Pie
F--Five Bean Salad
G--Granola Bars
H--Herb and Cheese Pasta Salad
I--Incredibly Fruity Raspberry Cakes
J--Jeweled Picnic Bars
K--Kaltschale (cold fruit soup)
L--Long Island Lemonade Cocktail
M--Mushroom Tart
N--Nut Roast
O--Olive Nut Bread
P--Pomegranate Mousse Cake
Q--Quiche
R--Raspberry Chocolate Macaroons
S--Spicy Glazed Shrimp and Veggie Kabobs
T--Turkey and Pear wraps w/Curried Aioli
U-"Unoriginal Whole Foods Salad Bar"
V-Vegetable Things of Spring Salad+
W-White Caramel Popcorn
X X-quisite Layered Fruit Salad 
Y-Yellow Squash Casserole (soon:)
Z-Zucchini Bread 


(I'll be updating ALL the foods "I'll be bringing..." to the picnic on July 1)

I'm ready for the picnic! Thanks, Louise, for organizing the Picnic!

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake: 2 Easy Recipes

The other day Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations posted about the birth of Richard Hellman (Hellman's Mayonnaise) in 1876. The exact date coincided with her own birthday. Of course her birthday was many, many years later. Since there is no holiday dedicated to Mayonnaise, she and I think there should be. Where would tuna fish be without mayonnaise; where would sandwiches be? So better late than never, let's celebrate Mayonnaise Day. Be sure and check out the history of Mayonnaise, the life of Hellman, and a lot more info about mayonnaise at Months of Edible Celebrations.

Since it was Louise's birthday, she decided to make a Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. I've made chocolate mayonnaise cake before, and you'd be surprised how many recipes there are. Seems like everyone's Aunt Sadie had a recipe. It shouldn't be a surprise to you that mayonnaise was used often in past generations. Remember mayonnaise in jello molds? That used to be a staple at special occasions all over the U.S. If you don't remember, be glad!

Since I try to post easy recipes here, I have two. The first is slightly harder since it means making a layer cake (2 layers) and icing the cake. That's not really difficult--just takes a bit more time--and sometimes layer cakes aren't even, so you need to do a bit of shaping. The second recipe is for a Chocolate Mayonnaise Bundt Cake. You just mix all the ingredients together and pour into the bundt pan and bake. Easy peasy. And delicious.

As I said there are many recipes for Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. I've chosen to post Louise's recipe with her photos. Thanks, Louise, for your permission. Louise collects cookbooks, and this recipe is from That amazing ingredient: mayonnaise! Talk about your odd cookbook!

Mayonnaise Cakes are really moist, so it's hard to go wrong on either of these recipes.

Here's Louise's finished Birthday Cake:

Want to try a variation of the above recipe? Use Miracle Whip instead of Mayonnaise. Totally different taste. Most people are particular when it comes to the choice between Mayonnaise and Miracle Whip. I still think it's worth trying Miracle Whip in this chocolate cake recipe... or for that matter, in the bundt cake recipe below. Word to the wise: don't taste the batter before it's baked. It will seem a bit odd, but the final results will be delicious.

Chocolate Mayonnaise Bundt Cake
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
6 tablespoons dark cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon Madagascar vanilla (or whatever you have)
1 cup mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip)
1 egg, whipped
1 cup lukewarm water
1 cup chocolate chips or broken dark chocolate 70% or higher cacao
powdered sugar

Directions:
Blend dry ingredients.
Mix in vanilla, mayonnaise, egg and water-- just enough to get all ingredients blended.
Fold in chocolate chips (broken up chocolate)
Pour into greased Bundt pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool cake.
Dust with powdered sugar.

Photos: Months of Edible Celebrations

Chocolate Chip Pancakes for Pancake Week

Months of Edible Celebrations tells us that this is National Pancake Week!! You've already missed a few days of pancakes, but there's still time to make these fabulous Simple Healthy Chocolate Chip Pancakes posted at Treat a Week. More pancake info on both sites.

Want to make Double Chocolate Pancakes? Check this recipe at The Global Gourmet. How about Viennesse Chocolate Pancakes? Don't forget the Chocolate Syrup! And here's a final chocolate pancake recipe with raspberry sauce that's low calorie, low sodium and low cholesterol from Eating Well.

As always, use the best quality chocolate and cocoa for the best possible taste!

Lucy Pelt from Peanuts says it best, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”