In August of 2009 Heather introduced herself to the blogging world and eights month into her new blog she did a post on cookies that she had hand-painted with food colouring to cheer up a friend. The cookies were inspired by Mehndi design work. From that sweet gesture for a friend in need of a pick me up, Heather was contacted by a literary agent to see if she was interested in putting together a book proposal. The proposal she did work on with the agent was sold to a publishing company and this very talented artist turned baker is due to have her first baking book published this Fall! Until Heather’s book is actually on the shelves however, you can treat yourself to her wonderful confections right now at Sprinkle Bakes. Since making the decision to take her artistic talents from mixing paints to mixing batter, Heather has discovered the artistry in pastry, cookies and cakes. Her Triple Salted Caramel Cupcakes are a case in point and the cookies she made for an Alice In Wonderland birthday party are amazing little portraits in fondant and royal icing. Early on in her transition to working with and creating confections, Heather loved to experiment and let her creative juices flow freely whenever an idea struck her and she is always ready to listen to *the muse* as is evident in this cookie and in this unique and lovely dessert. She loves finding new and innovative artistic techniques to apply to her baking as much as she loves to create the old recipes she fondly remembers from her youth growing up in the South. Heather’s work has made appearances in Kentucky Bride Magazine, Saveaur Magazine and Yum Food and Fun Magazine for Kids, just to name of few. She was also featured in Foodista Best of Food Blogs Cookbook and Fine Cooking Best of the Blogs. With her creative mind and artistic hands she continues to regularly fashion fantasies into realities with flour, sugar and fondant and of course…a few of her beloved Sprinkles every now and then! I am delighted that Heather is here today, sharing her story and recipe with us. You can follow her on Twitter @SprinkleBakes
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When I signed up for Frosting for the Cause just a few months ago, I had the story of a dear friend’s illness and recovery all typed up and ready to present to you. Her story might as well have been set in stone as far as I was concerned. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I didn’t expect her story to change, much less over such a short period of time.
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| Tiffany on her wedding day. |
Tiffany was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26. It was unbelievable to me that someone so young could be affected by this disease. She began chemotherapy, and all the while was knee deep magazines and dress swatches while planning her own wedding. She got married in a wig and a port-a-cath, and was the picture of grace while doing so.
When Tiffany was well into recovery – and happily married, the question of having babies arose. She was told that she may never be able to have babies because of the effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Luckily that was not the case for her. Little Zachary – a healthy baby boy – came soon after.
Last year Tiffany found out she was expecting again. This time it was a little girl, I was so happy for her! Soon she’d have the perfect family she’d always wanted. In the 3rd trimester of her pregnancy, she found another lump in the same breast in which she had cancer. Friends, family – we all heard the news and expected it to be nothing more than pregnancy changes, so we were not terribly concerned at the time. Unfortunately the cancer had returned.
She had a mastectomy while 8 months pregnant, and weeks later safely gave birth to her baby girl, Emma. Tiffany jumped into the chemotherapy routine – again, and is currently experiencing all the changes and side effects she’d gone through previously – all while caring for a toddler and a newborn. Her positive attitude and cheerful disposition has been an example to me of what true bravery is all about. I hope her resilience and courage will inspire others going through the same illness to persevere. I’m so proud to call her my friend.
When Tiffany and I worked together at Centennial hospital in Nashville, we’d often take our afternoon break together for a chocolate fix. We had to settle for candy bars, pre-packaged cookies and whatever the hospital gift shop kept in stock. I’d like to think if we were still working together, that I’d supply goodies like these baked chocolate donuts for our mid-day pick-me-up.
Baked Chocolate Cake Donuts
A specialty mini doughnut pan should be used for this recipe, alternatively, you may pipe dough into mini muffin tins.
Yield: 3-4 dozen mini donuts
Donuts:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
1. Lightly grease a donut pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda together. Whisk in sugar, cinnamon and salt.
3. Cube butter and cut it into the dry mixture with a pastry blender (can use a pastry ring) until coarse crumbs form.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream, sour cream, 2 tbsp. water, vanilla and egg. Whisk until incorporated.
5. Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and fold until combined. Do not over mix.
6. Transfer dough to a piping bag and fill each donut cavity 3/4 full.
7. Bake for 6-10 minutes – mine baked in 7. Let pan cool on wire rack for a few minutes before turning them out. They are very soft when first taken from the oven.
8. Remove donuts and let cool on a wire rack before glazing.
Glaze:1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp. milk or half and half
1 drop pink or red liquid food coloring
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Pour powdered sugar into a medium bowl.
2. Add milk and whisk until combined.
3. Add food coloring and liquid extract, whisk again.
4. Dip donuts in glaze and let dry on wire rack.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow what a journey and what a brave young woman. Inspiring! And the doughnuts are adorable.
You are an amazing friend for your kindness towards your friend. She seems like such a brave and strong woman.
These look great. I’ve been considering making donuts, and now I feel like I must.
A beautiful post! So touching. A courageous woman.
A delightful treat.
Cheers,
Rosa
Beautiful post, Heather. Will put Tiffany and her family in my prayers. She is very blessed to have you for a friend.
Thank you Lynne, she will appreciate the prayers!
What an amazing post. I had lumps in my throat just reading about it and that girl has been going through all of it. Tiffany Get Well Soon …..
N those chocolate donuts Heather. I am really trying hard not running to the kitchen right now.
Thanks so much Rituparna! I will pass along your well wishes. xo
What a touching story, and wonderful guest post.
Thank you so much for sharing this Heather. This story has touched my heart in so many ways.
I was anxious to share this with my boyfriend because his mom has had breast cancer twice. The first time she too had a mastectomy in the breast with the cancer.
Two years after she thought she was in the clear, she was diagnosed with it again, but in the other breast, and again had a mastectomy. She’s been cancer free for a year and a half now. ♥
Needless to say, I will be making these donuts for her sometime very soon.
Thank you Kate! What an ordeal for her to go through. So glad to hear she’s 1 1/2 years cancer free!
Thanks for sharing Tiffany’s story and for the delicious sounding recipe! I’m dieting at the current time but I’ll have to try it when I’m having friends and family over. Tiffany and Timmy have been thru such trying times but they have met all of the challenges with such a positive attitude and have only grown stronger. They are good friends of ours and their two kids, Zack and Emma are just precious. Please continue to pray that God heals her and that her upcoming scan is good!
You are a great friend and a great writer. I will make these donuts with my son, thinking of her and sending her good health thoughts.
Thanks for sharing your story Heather. I am hoping for the best for your dear friend and her family.
The world certainly stands still when we read stories like this. Thanks to beautiful friends like Heather, a little bit of brightness can be brought in to brighten someones darker days. Such a gift indeed. My prayers are with Tiffany & her family. xo
Prayers for Tiffany; she sounds so courageous and I know she will be victorious over that dreaded disease. Thankfully, she’s got a good friend in Heather. Blessings for a quick recovery for a very brave woman. And I loved the recipe.
I wish Tiffany all the best for a complete recovery! Thank you for sharing this story. I hope these adorable treats bring a smile to Tiffany’s face.
Tiffany will be in my prayers, thanks so much for sharing this with us Heather. And it was fun to see the pans that were used to make the donuts, they are just darling. xoxo ~Lili
I just wanted to say thanks to Heather for this story. it made me feel good to read it because Tiffany is my niece and has been thru a lot . she is a very sweet kid and we love her very much. it is time for some good new for her.
Heather, It’s so amazing to me that some people facing such serious adversity muster up the courage to forge ahead with faith and continue to live life to the fullest. Thanks for sharing Tiffany’s story. She definitely falls into the amazing category!
Your adorable little donuts would brighten up anyone’s day:)