Name: Rose, Lemon & Pistachio Baked Donuts
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Ingredients: 30 g Chopped pistachios; 175 g Caster sugar; 30 ml Vegetable oil; 175 ml Milk (either cow's or plant milk will work); 2 Eggs (large); 1 tsp Vanilla extract; 1 tsp Rose water; 225 g Self raising flour; 1 Lemons (zest only); Butter (for greasing); 250 g Icing sugar; 2 1/2 tbsp Water; 1 tsp Rose water; 3 tsp Lemon juice; Chopped pistachios (optional); Edible rose petals (optional)

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I've been thinking about combining rose and lemon in a baked donut for almost a year now, and finally I'm sharing this recipe with the wonderful addition of pistachios too. These Rose, Lemon & Pistachio Baked Donuts are filled with green nuggets of pistachio, and drenched in a sugary rose and lemon glaze. I hadn't actually heard of a Persian Love Cake until I made these donuts, but it also uses these same three flavours. After tasting the donuts I completely understand where it gets it's name, as I am in love with this flavour combination! So with this in mind, I thought these Rose, Lemon & Pistachio Baked Donuts would be perfect for Valentine's Day!

Step by step...

I started by mixing together the caster sugar, milk, oil, vanilla extract, rose water, eggs and lemon zest. Then I added the self raising flour and chopped pistachios.

I usually put the batter into a piping bag to make it a bit neater to dispense into the trays, but you can do it with a spoon too. They baked for 12 minutes, then I left them to cool.

I made the glaze by mixing together the icing sugar, water, lemon juice and rose water. I dipped each donut into the bowl of glaze, I spooned more on top if it needed it, then set the donuts onto a rack. The glaze will drip off, so I put a baking tray underneath to catch it. I then added chopped pistachios and edible rose petals as decoration.

To put into words what these Rose, Lemon & Pistachio Baked Donuts taste like I would describe them as dreamy, light and refreshing. The citrus zing from the lemon is absolutely tantalising, the pistachios are nutty and creamy, and the rose lingers perfectly with just the right amount of perfume. Is anyone else weak at the knees right now?!

It's nice to come across a different flavour than the typical chocolate or vanilla for example. I don't feel like I experiment with flavour enough, but if all my experiments turn out like these Rose, Lemon & Pistachio Baked Donuts then I would be happy to experiment more often! The most important thing with trying out flavours you've not made before is taste as you go. I taste a little bit of my batter and icing as I make them to see if I need to add more of a certain flavour.

Do I need a donut pan to make this recipe?

The simple answer is yes! I highly recommend investing in a donut pan* (or two!), they are not expensive and they’re easy to obtain from Amazon, plus there are so many yummy baked donut recipes on my blog that you’ll be able to make with them!

Recommended equipment & ingredients*

Donut tin	Mixing bowls	Cooling rack
Kitchen scales	Zester	Citrus juicer
Rose extract	Edible rose petals

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