Ohlone tiger beetle inspired donuts: Bake with Us(FWS)

Looking for a spooky and delicious treat to make this weekend? Check out these un-beetle-able donuts inspired by the Ohlone tiger beetle! This ferocious endangered beetle is found only in Santa Cruz County, California. Learn about the first ever translocation of adult tiger beetles and why experts are hopeful for the future. Watch the audio described version. Learn how to make more wildlife inspired treats.

Ingredients

For the donuts:

• 1/3 cup warm water (105- 115 F)
• 2 and 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• canola oil, for frying the donuts
• 2 chocolate kisses, for the eyes

For the green/white icing: 

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• green gel food coloring
• white and yellow food coloring
• edible green glitter, optional

For the chocolate icing:

• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 tsp. light corn syrup
• 1 tsp. water

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast and 1 tsp. of the sugar. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes, until the mixture is frothy.
2. Add the remaining sugar, milk, butter, egg and salt.
3. Start to add the flour gradually while stirring, adding only enough just until the dough gathers in the center of the bowl.
4. Turn the dough over onto a floured board and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. To knead, use your palms to push the dough down and away from you, then fold it inwards. Push out the dough again then fold. Repeat until the dough is adequately kneaded.
5. Shape the kneaded dough into a ball. Place it in a bowl and cover with a clean towel. Let it rise for 1 and 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
6. After rising, take a portion of the dough and shape it into the body of the beetle. Take a smaller piece of dough, roll it into a slightly smushed circle for the beetle's head. Take 8 small pieces of dough and roll them out until they are long and skinny and shape them into antennae and legs. If you have left over dough, you can make more beetles or regular shaped donuts.
7. On a medium, heavy-bottomed pan, heat about 2-3 inches of oil to 375 F. Carefully lower a few donuts at a time into the oil, peeling them off from the parchment paper before cooking. Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, or until golden. Then cook on the other side for 1 minute or less, until golden. Drain fried donuts on a wire rack set over a large tray, or on paper towels.
8. While donuts are cooling, make the green icing by combining the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the milk in small amounts to keep the icing fairly thick. Take small portion of this icing and move it to a different bowl. Add green food coloring to one bowl and add yellow and white to the other bowl. 
9. Make the chocolate icing by placing the chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup, and water in a medium bowl. Melt in 20 second increments in the microwave, stirring after each time, until completely melted and smooth.
10. Once the donuts are completely cooled, carefully dip the beetle head and body into the green icing. Dip the antennae and legs into the chocolate icing. Press chocolate kisses upside into the head of the beetle to make the eyes. 
11. Once the icing has hardened, take the white-ish icing and put it in a piping bag and pipe the markings on the beetle's back.
12. Sprinkle edible green glitter over the whole donut.
13. Dip the extra donuts into the leftover icing to make whatever designs you would like.
14. Enjoy!

Recipe inspired by Women Scribbles.