Reduced Guilt Strawberry Kefir Donuts

Baked Donuts Featuring Low Fat Strawberry Kefir Milk

For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with gut issues. While in high school, there’d be days I’d miss school due to abdominal pain and extreme bloat. My body needed routine, and, if I strayed from that routine, I’d be in trouble. As I’ve aged, I’ve gotten a better handle on my IBS and gut health and have formed healthy habits to ensure more symptom free days. Keeping a food journal has helped me figure out which foods result in immediate bloat or cause cramping and which foods actually help my stomach thrive. Probiotic drinks that are low in lactose, such as kefir, have become an important staple in my day to day. Probiotics really help soothe my gut. When my gut is happy, my entire body is happy!

Have you heard of kefir? If it is somewhat new to you, kefir is a tangy and tart cultured milk smoothie high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Kefir is amazing in morning smoothies or incorporated into savory or sweet recipes (it is a great replacement for milk or buttermilk in baking.) The probiotics in kefir can improve healthy digestion and support immunity. As an added bonus, a serving of kefir fulfills up to 30% of daily calcium needs.

I am so excited to partner with Lifeway – my favorite manufacturer of kefir – to bring you this amazing recipe. Lifeway is the largest manufacturer of kefir in the United States and has been growing strong since 1980s. The brand offers delicious, drinkable kefir as well as farmer’s cheese and a line of products specifically for kids. Each cup of Lifeway’s all natural kefir has 12 live and active cultures and is 99% lactose free. Lifeway’s kefir is safe for all ages, and all flavors taste amazing!

Main Ingredients Breakdown

Strawberries: While strawberries are at their prime in April/May, you can find them in stores almost year round. The beautiful color plus the juiciness make the fruit a perfect addition to baked goods. Strawberries add great natural sweetness to recipes as well. If all else fails, frozen strawberries are a great replacement in this recipe.

Corn Starch: Corn starch is often used as a thickening agent in gravies, sauces, etc. I like to use it as an absorber. In this recipe, it is mixed in with the berries to absorb excess moisture so that the liquid balance is correct in the batter.

Low-Fat Strawberry Kefir Milk: Kefir stands in for dairy or nondairy milk as well as buttermilk in recipes. The strawberry flavor also adds complexity and a bit of sweetness to the donuts.

Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture to bakes without thinning the batter. The high fat content and acidity also helps to further activate baking soda and can control browning. I love using sour cream in donuts and pound cakes!

Ruby Chocolate: Ruby chocolate is real chocolate. It is made from ruby cocoa beans native to Ecuador, Brazil, and the Ivory Coast. The chocolate is not as sweet as regular chocolate but has a slight tart taste that could be compared to that of berries. That flavor profile is why ruby chocolate pairs so well with strawberries!

Ready for “Hole” Foods

Materials Needed:

1. 2 donut pans – sprayed with non-stick spray
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. 2 medium mixing bowls
5. 1 large mixing bowl
6. Spoon
7. Rubber spatula
8. Whisk
9. Knife
10. Cutting board
11. 2 small bowls (one microwave safe)
12. Tall glass and piping bag
13. Wire cooling rack
14. Sieve
15. Parchment paper

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour – spooned and leveled
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs – at room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup low-fat Lifeway Strawberry Kefir Milk
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup chopped strawberries – hulled
• 1 tbsp corn starch

Glaze

• 1/3 cup low-fat Strawberry Kefir Milk
• 2 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 3 oz ruby chocolate – melted

Process – Strawberry Kefir Donuts:

Serves 12

Preheat oven to 350F and grease 2 donut pans. Remove hull from strawberries and chop. Add to small bowl and blend with corn starch.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl with whisk. In a separate large mixing bowl, add eggs, sugar, kefir milk, sour cream, vegetable oil, vanilla and almond extract. Blend with a rubber spatula. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until almost blended. Fold in strawberries only until incorporated.

Fill the piping bag – To easily fill the bag, set it in a tall glass as support as you fill the bag with mixture. Pipe evenly into donut pans. Bake for 8-10 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs only. Let the donuts cool in pans for 3-5 minutes and then turn out onto a wire cooling rack. Allow to completely cool before glazing.

Prepare glaze. Combine kefir milk, powdered sugar, and almond extract in a mixing bowl. Whisk to blend. One by one, dip donuts into the glaze. Place back on the wire rack to set. Once all donuts are glazed, melt ruby chocolate in a small microwave safe bowl. Use the spoon to drizzle ruby chocolate evenly on top of each glazed donut. To reduce mess, place a sheet of parchment paper under the cooling rack to catch drips of glaze and chocolate while setting.

Looking for more baked donut recipes? Check out the following:

Fruity Pebbles and Coffee Donuts

Sweet Potato Donuts with Chocolate