Indulge in a burst of colour and delicate flavour with Butterfly Pea Tea Glazed Donuts! These delightful donuts are infused with the natural blue hue and subtle earthy notes of butterfly pea flowers, creating a visually stunning and unique twist on the classic glazed treat.
What is Butterfly Pea Tea?
Butterfly pea flowers (Clitoria ternatea) are a traditional ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine and herbal teas. Known for their mesmerizing blue colour, they offer a subtle earthy flavour that pairs beautifully with sweet treats. Their most fascinating feature is their ability to change colour when exposed to different pH levels!
How to Make Butterfly Pea Tea Glaze
Creating a butterfly pea tea glaze is surprisingly simple:
- Steep the Flowers: Steep dried butterfly pea flowers in hot water for 10-15 minutes, creating a vibrant blue infusion.
- Sweeten the Glaze: Combine the infusion with icing sugar and a touch of lemon juice (to add brightness and create potential colour shifts). Whisk until you achieve your desired glaze consistency.
- Glaze and Enjoy: Dip freshly baked doughnuts into the glaze and let them set. The vibrant blue glaze is sure to impress!
The Magic of Colour Transformation
As the glaze interacts with the slightly acidic doughnut, you may witness mesmerizing colour shifts from blue to shades of purple and even pink. This adds a unique element of surprise!
Experiment with different flavours in your butterfly pea tea glaze. Consider adding a hint of vanilla, almond extract, or even a touch of lavender. Garnish your doughnuts with toasted coconut flakes, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of lemon zest for extra flair.
Recipe: Butterfly Pea Tea Glazed Donuts
Baked Vanilla Donuts
Yields: Approximately 12 donuts
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (120ml) milk (any kind)
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep Oven and Pan: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a donut pan.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg (if using).
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Whisk in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix!
- Fill the Pan: Transfer batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about ¾ full.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Let donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing with your Butterfly Pea Tea Glaze.
Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, ensure your eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing leads to tough donuts. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with adding spices like cinnamon or ginger, or a splash of citrus zest to the batter.
The Blue Butterfly Glazing
Yields: Varies based on doughnut size
Ingredients
- Baked Donuts: Your favorite recipe or store-bought.
- Butterfly Pea Tea Glaze:
- 1 tablespoon dried butterfly pea flowers
- ½ cup (120ml) hot water (not boiling)
- 1 ½ cups (180g) icing sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Optional Garnishes: Toasted coconut flakes, edible flowers, lemon zest
Instructions
- Make the Donuts: Prepare your favorite donut recipe or use the recipe above. Let them cool completely before glazing.
- Butterfly Pea Infusion: Steep butterfly pea flowers in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain the infusion, discarding the flowers.
- Create the Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together icing sugar and lemon juice. Gradually whisk in the butterfly pea infusion until you reach a smooth, dippable consistency.
- Glaze the Doughnuts: Dip each cooled doughnut into the glaze, coating evenly. Place on a wire rack to allow excess glaze to drip off.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Before the glaze sets, add your desired garnishes, if using. Let the glaze set completely before enjoying your beautiful Butterfly Pea Tea Glazed Donuts!
Tips
- Fresh is Best: Glazing freshly baked doughnuts ensures the best glaze adhesion.
- Color Control: For a more intense blue, use more butterfly pea infusion. Be aware that adding more liquid may require additional icing sugar for the right consistency.
- Flavor Fun: Add a touch of vanilla extract, almond extract, or a pinch of lavender to the glaze for extra flavor dimension.
5 Tips for Perfect Butterfly Pea Tea Glazed Donuts
1. Quality Flowers: The Key to Vibrant Colour and Flavour
To achieve the most beautiful and flavorful glaze, opt for high-quality, dried butterfly pea flowers. These will provide a vibrant blue hue and a subtle, earthy flavour. Look for organic flowers without additives for the best results.
2. Experiment with Colour: Customise Your Glaze
The intensity of the blue colour in your glaze is completely adjustable! Start with a small amount of butterfly pea infusion and gradually add more until you reach your desired shade. Remember, adding more infusion might require additional icing sugar to maintain the ideal glaze consistency.
3. Fresh Donuts: For the Best Glaze Adhesion
Always glaze freshly baked doughnuts that have cooled completely. This ensures the glaze adheres smoothly and evenly, creating a beautiful and delicious finish.
4. Control Your Glaze Consistency
The perfect glaze should be thick enough to coat the doughnut but thin enough to drip slightly and set smoothly. If your glaze is too thick, add a bit more butterfly pea infusion. If too thin, whisk in a bit more icing sugar.
5. Embrace the Colour Change!
The interaction between the butterfly pea glaze and the slightly acidic doughnut may cause a delightful color transformation! Enjoy the playful shifts from blue to shades of purple or pink, adding a unique touch to your treats. Mix them together to form unique patterns without using artificial colours. Add sprinkles for more fun.
