I love the holidays! Reading all these Instagram posts about desserts with cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin, apples, and everything else fall, got me inspired today. Not to mention, I am finally at home in PA with a kitchen that I can actually move around in. Living in NYC has been a whirlwind of craziness. In fact, my second week in New York, a very irate homeless gentleman decided to spit on me in the subway for absolutely no reason (I know, disgusting). Needless to say, I was a bit jaded from the beginning and occasionally wonder why I ever wanted to live in this city. I also now see the New York cynicism that I have long heard my friends speak about. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing for me though.. I grew up in a suburban town in main line Pennsylvania and have always been surrounded by family and close ones. I think that despite the crazy subway spitting experience, I am right where I need to be. The truth is, I need New York. I need to break out of my shell, I need to develop a thick skin, I need to be comfortable with being alone, and I need to learn to be independent. So, here’s to New York, and to more good, bad, and crazy experiences! Hopefully none involving spitting though..

Happy holidays! 🙂

  
Recipe..

Donuts

– 1 1/2 cup flour

– 1/2 cup maple syrup

– 2 tsp cinnamon

– 2 tsp baking powder

– 1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

– 1/2 cup apple cider 

– 1 egg

– 1 tsp vanilla extract

– 1 tsp sea salt

– 1 Tbsp butter

– pistachios (for garnish)

Maple Pear Glaze

– 1/2 cup maple syrup

– 2 tsp cinnamon

– 1 pear
Put it together..

-Preheat oven to 350

-Mix all donut ingredients together and put them in your donut pan
-Bake for 12-13 minutes

-Cut pear into 8 slices

-Warm the maple syrup over a medium flame

-Add the pear slices and cinnamon and continue to stir until glaze thickens and the pears are slightly golden brown (I stirred for about 15 minutes)

-Pour glaze and pears over donuts and garnish with chopped pistachios

-Enjoy 🙂