Pina Colada Baked Doughnuts (ZWT-9 Puerto Rico)

Per Wikipedia, the Pina Colada is a rum-based Caribbean cocktail uniquely identified w/Puerto Rico & has been its official beverage since 1978. This recipe goes a step further & applies the ingredient & taste profiles to a sweet treat everyone loves -- The Doughnut. What adds to their appeal is they are baked (vs fried) to reduce calories & fat content. This recipe is easily halved & once cooked the doughnuts can be frozen for later use. Times have been estimated & do not include cooling & waiting time. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 18
• Yields: 18 Glazed Doughnuts

Ingredients

• For Doughnuts

• 2  cups cake flour (May use all-purpose flour)
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 3⁄4 cup buttermilk
• 1  teaspoon  rum extract (May use vanilla extract)
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon white vinegar
• 1⁄2 cup crushed pineapple (Well-drained, See Note)

• For Glaze

• 2  tablespoons crushed pineapple (Well-drained)
• 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
• 3  tablespoons  pineapple juice
• 1 1⁄2 cups  shredded coconut

Directions

1. For Doughnuts:
2. Strain the pineapple & reserve the juice. Squeeze out as much pineapple juice as possible using a cheesecloth, clean lint-free tea towel or by pressing crushed pineapple thru a fine sieve. There should an excess that can be used for the glaze. NOTE: Do not over-mix. Most of the steps require only enough mixing to combine.
3. Preheat oven to 375F - Lightly coat doughnut pan w/oil. Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda plus salt & whisk to fully combine ingredients.
4. In a separate bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, rum extract plus eggs & whisk until well-combined.
5. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients & mix only until moistened.
6. Add vinegar & mix well. Sprinkle in pineapple & fold in until combined.
7. Fill doughnut wells only 3/4 full. Bake for 10-12 min or til golden brown.
8. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to fully cool.
9. NOTE: This recipe assumes you have a doughnut baking pan. If you don't, then use a baking sheet & get creative. These pastries do not have to be round. They can be twisted (like me), etc.
10. For Glaze:
11. Mix the crushed pineapple, sugar & pineapple juice in a bowl until smooth & creamy.
12. Spoon onto cooled doughnuts. Sprinkle immediately w/the shredded coconut & wait at least 10 min for glaze to set before serving.