Dennis Prescott

I love coffee. Admittedly, I may have a problem. But as I see it, there are far worse things to be addicted to than a good cup of joe. I’m also coffee spoiled.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to hang out at an amazing coffee roaster and café in Dartmouth, NS. Anchored Coffee is doing amazing things and is blowing up the Canadian coffee scene. To them, coffee is serious business. And they strive to develop coffees that are both delicious and interesting while maintaining relationships with their farmers and the region their beans come from. The absolute best of both worlds. Definitely worth checking them out @anchoredcoffee.

For me, there are a few food/drink combos that are perfect. They enhance each other, and almost need to go together. Pasta & wine, pizza & beer, coffee & doughnuts.

Here is my tribute to Anchored, and to the best morning combo. Chocolate Coffee Cake Doughnuts.

Chocolate Coffee Cake Doughnuts 

Makes 12 doughnuts (in 2 doughnut pans)

For the Doughnuts

2 cups flour

¾ cup sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

½ cup whole milk

½ cup brewed coffee

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp butter, melted

For the Frosting

2 cups powdered sugar

3 tbsp brewed coffee

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp corn syrup

Crunch

½ cup Skor bits

½ cup roasted peanuts

Instructions:

For the Doughnuts:

Preheat your oven to 325.

Combine all your dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, add your eggs, milk, coffee and vanilla, and whisk well to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix well, getting rid of any lumps. Grease your doughnut pans with butter, and carefully add your mixture, leaving about a 1/4 inch room from the top of each doughnut.

Bake for 10 minutes. Cool in the pan on the counter for an additional 10 minutes, then remove your doughnuts from the pan, and place onto a drying rack to cool completely.

For the Icing:

In a food processor (or with a chef’s knife), chop your peanuts and skor bits, leaving them a bit chunky. In a large bowl, combine all your ingredients and whisk well to combine. Dunk your cooled doughnuts, into the icing, and top with a sprinkle of your crunch. Allow icing to set for 10 minutes. Eat.