Activated Charcoal Donuts
Cooking Time
Prep Time
Difficulty
Cuisine
The star ingredient of this recipe is activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon or vegetable charcoal, which imparts a deep and intense black color to the foods in which it is incorporated.
But the good news: besides the fact that activated charcoal gives a deep black hue, it is also recognized for its many health benefits. Originating from various carbon-rich sources, such as wood or coconut shells, activated charcoal is renowned for its ability to trap undesirable substances (such as toxins), whether in the medical field or in water purification. Vegetable charcoal is the most active of known natural detoxifiers.
Historically, activated charcoal was already used in ancient times for its purifying properties. The Egyptians, for example, used charcoal to preserve their funerary treasures, and Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, and Plinius, a Roman naturalist, used it for its medicinal properties.
Beyond its detoxification properties, for this recipe, it is its unique and spectacular black hue that allows us to create donuts with a bold aesthetic and a mysterious charm, without altering the delicious flavors of the original donut.
You can find powdered activated charcoal in pharmacies, natural food stores, or even online, ensuring that your pastry creations are as healthy as they are enchanting.
Activated Charcoal Donuts
Equipment
- an oven
- A donut mold (silicone or metal)
- A piping bag (optional)
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Donuts:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g cane sugar
- 1 packet of baking powder 11g
- A pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons of applesauce
- 150 ml of plant-based milk almond milk, soy milk,...
- 50 g melted vegan margarine
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered activated charcoal
For the icing:
- 150 g icing sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of plant-based milk
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered activated charcoal for black icing
Instructions
Preparing the Donuts:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) and lightly grease one (or several) silicone or metal donut molds.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and activated charcoal.
- In another bowl, combine the applesauce, plant-based milk, and melted margarine.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until you obtain a smooth dough.
- Fill the previously greased donut molds with the dough using a piping bag.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the donuts are firm to the touch.
- Let them cool in the mold for a few minutes, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
Icing the Donuts:
- Mix the icing sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of plant-based milk until you obtain a smooth and white icing.
- Add the powdered activated charcoal and mix well; if the icing is too thick, add plant-based milk, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it's too runny, add sugar.
- Once the donuts have completely cooled, dip them in the icing.
Decoration suggestions:
- After applying the icing, but before it sets, the donuts can be sprinkled or decorated with a variety of toppings: shredded coconut, chocolate chips, colored pearl sugar, orange zest,...
- Let your imagination run wild and have fun customizing your donuts according to your tastes and occasions! Just make sure to decorate while the icing is still fresh so that your toppings adhere well.
A recipe proposed by Maison Marmite
