Pumpkin S'more Donuts

This weeks recipe is being paired with a side of a real-life update. Because while my donuts are topped with marshmallows, I don't see the point in sugar-coating reality with fluff.

The truth is, the season I have been in this summer has been tough. I'm all for facing new challenges and just waiting out the storm, but eventually you just begin to ask yourself when it will all be behind you.

I can handle stress at work or in my personal life, but the combination can be too much, and that is the season I'm in. With so many events planned at work in the month of September, I knew it was all going to come to it's climax. Add in a sick boss and a short-staffed team, and I felt like all the pressure was on me to make things a success (I even had another employee dub me the "designated survivor").

I knew I had to proactively help myself. For me, nothing eases my added stress like some extra time in the kitchen and some miles pounded out at the gym. With that in mind, I made the conscious decision on Sunday to dedicate a few hours of time in my kitchen baking these donuts. Stress relief with a sweet reward; win-win. I also pushed myself to get to the gym, even on nights when I wanted to go home and crawl onto my couch. I was careful to listen to my body and rest when I needed it, but also push myself to get the workout in for me.

Another surprising thing I did to aid in easing my stress this week? I actually asked for help. I have a group of girl friends that I shot a message to, letting them know that I had a lot going on and needed their support. I immediately got responses of encouragement that helped me to push through. Even after my work load got even heavier, I felt peace knowing I had their prayers and happy thoughts pushing me forward.

This season isn't going away tomorrow, but having the mind to proactively work with it, and not against it, is going to lessen the strain I feel from it. And if I have to spend my Sundays making delicious baked treats that combine my two favorite foods - pumpkin and s'mores - then that is a season I can tolerate.

What about you? What do you do to help yourself in the seasons?

Pumpkin Donuts

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease your donut baking pan.
  2. In one bowl, whisk together your flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking powder.
  3. In another bowl, mix your pumpkin, egg, milk, oil, vanilla, and sugar.
  4. Pour your dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  5. Spoon your batter into your donut tin.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when you touch them.

S'more Topping

  1. When your donuts have had a chance to cool, melt your chocolate chips.
  2. Spread the chocolate on top of the donuts.
  3. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over top of the chocolate.
  4. Top with desired amount of marshmallows.
  5. Place in the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the marshmallows are toasted.
Recipes, DessertEmily WeirPumpkin, S'mores, Donuts, Baked, Healthy, Dessert, Life lessons, Life lesson