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Crushing on Ashley McLaughlin of Edible Perspective and Boston Cream Doughnuts Plus a Giveaway

Ashley McLaughlin started her blog Edible Perspective in 2009, out of sheer boredom. She knew nothing about photography and not much more about cooking. Now she’s a food blogging cookbook author and knows a thing or two about these gluten-free Boston Cream Doughnuts. Why? Because she created them. And you could win a copy of the cookbook that holds their tasty secrets.

Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts

So how did Ashley get her start? One day she picked up her husband Chris’s camera to fiddle around with it, and she says it was one of the best decisions she’s ever made.

Now, photography is a staple in her everyday routine, and her blog is proof she’s really got a knack for it.

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Healthy recipes are at the forefront of her blog, with many of them being vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, and if there’s anyone who can make a salad look like a glistening plate of jewels, it’s Ashley.

She attributes Heidi from 101 Cookbooks as her inspiration. “At the time, I didn’t even know 101 Cookbooks was a food blog, and I had no idea food blogging was a ‘thing.’ I never imagined I’d have one of my own!”

Ashley wrote and photographed her first cookbook Baked Doughnuts for Everyone, that was published last fall . It boasts 101 gluten-free baked, drool worthy doughnut recipes, both savory and sweet, like Tiramisu Doughnuts, Red Velvet Doughnuts and Asiago Doughnuts.

Not to mention these Boston Cream Doughnuts.

Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts

Um, an entire cookbook devoted to doughnuts? Ashley, where have you been all my life?

As for the future, she says “I see myself and my husband still living in Colorado (sorry mom and dad!) and hopefully having a little one to tote around.” She also hopes to one day have a photography studio outside her house, with a kitchen for the sole purpose of food photography, and to write more cookbooks.

We’re definitely in favor of that!

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1. Describe your blog in 3 words.

Bright, approachable, creative.

2. If you could be one food blogger other than yourself, who would you be?

Definitely Heidi from 101 Cookbooks. She has been such a huge inspiration to me and she has such a simple way with food and photography that I’ve always admired. She also appears to do quite a bit of traveling, which I would love to do more of.

3. Which 3 blogs do you follow/are obsessed with/can’t live a day without?

The First Mess, How Sweet It Is, Sprouted Kitchen.

4. What is the one kitchen tool you could never give up?

My food processor, hands down. I use it for making nut butter, veggie burgers, pureeing vegetables, and making sauces, but I also love using the grater attachment for cheese, potatoes, carrots, etc. I use it more than my Vita-Mix and just can’t live without it.

5. What dish are you obsessed with mastering that you just can’t get quite right?

I wouldn’t say there is one dish in particular, but more like one cuisine…Indian! The spices are so challenging to get right, but it’s fun (and usually delicious) no matter what. There are also a lot of recipes I want to make gluten-free, but am intimidated by. Next up on that list would be cinnamon rolls.

6. What did you have for dinner last night?

A simple one-pan meal! First you cook the onion and garlic and then add a can of diced tomatoes with chopped rainbow chard and a little lemon juice. You let that cook for about 10 minutes, then you add a can of chickpeas, veggie broth, paprika, salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another five minutes and you’re done. It’s beyond easy, full of flavor, and perfect for winter. I usually eat it alongside a few slices of avocado toast.

7. What’s one secret talent outside of the kitchen nobody knows about you?

Gosh, I am not sure I have any secret talents, but I was in show choir  singing and dancing in very sparkly dresses) in high school, which people usually get a kick out of.

Okay, I thought of one. I can hula hoop for an infinite amount of time. I don’t do any fancy tricks, but I can keep the thing up for as long as I want. Hula hoop contests were always a piece of cake for me. I had it in the bag. I was also oddly talented at the limbo for whatever reason. I wonder if I’ve still got it?

8. You’re happiest when cooking/eating:

Cooking breakfast! Eating with my family.

9. You began your blog not knowing much about cooking. What are some of the most valuable tools or lessons you’ve learned over the last few years?

1. Everyone makes and publishes mistakes from time to time. It’s all part of the learning process and adventure!

2. The friends I’ve made through blogging keep me sane. They’re not only friends, but almost co-workers who I rely on for help and advice. I have learned so much from them about cooking and life!

3. Ask people with experience questions. You can’t just know how to do something you’ve never done before.

4. Google can’t solve it all.

10. The one ingredient to your success is:

I’ve learned that focus and hustle are the keys to my success, and always making time for play. Oops, I realized that was kind of three things, but they all work together to formulate my “secret ingredient!”

Baked Doughnuts for Everyone

And now you can win a copy of her cookbook, Baked Doughnuts for Everyone for yourself. Just fill in the info in the widget below with one or more entries to be entered to win. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now, how about that doughnut recipe?

I had my daughter choose which recipe to make since she’s a doughnut fiend. She recently told me that the cream stuffed doughnuts are her current favorite, so it was no surprise to me that this recipe for Boston Cream Doughnuts hit the top of her baking list.

Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts

Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts

 

Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts

Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts

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These doughnuts are gluten-free and have a combination of 3 different flours to deliver a nice cakey bite, and were devoured by both my gluten-loving daughter and her friends and also a mom who is gluten-free and was super excited to have a bite of its sweetness.

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Boston Cream Doughnuts

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 1 1/4 cups 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 scraped vanilla bean and pod

For the topping

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 4-6 tablespoons heavy cream

For the doughnuts

  • 1/2 cup oat flour
  • 1/2 cup sweet rice flour
  • 3 tablespoons almond meal
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

For the filling

  1. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Whisk the milk, half and half, sugar, arrowroot starch, eggs, salt and vanilla bean in a pot until smooth. Place the half scraped vanilla bean pod i n the pot. Heat over medium-high heat until simmering, whisking constantly. After a simmer is reached, stir and simmer for 1 minute. Then turn off the heat and pour the mixture through the strainer. Discard the vanilla bean pod.
  2. Place in a heat-safe bowl and let sit for 30 minutes. Place a piece of plastic wrap touching the filling and refrigerate until fully chilled. The mixture will thicken and should be the consistency of pudding.

To make the topping

  1. Melt the chocolate with 1/4 cup heavy cream using a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Add more heavy cream to thin out and stir until smooth. Remove from heat. Place in a bowl to le tcool to room temperature. The mixture will thicken as it cools.

To make the doughnuts

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease your doughnut pan.
  2. Combine the dry doughnut ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well. In another bowl, whisk the eggs together. Then add the milk, yogurt, oil and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.
  3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a large wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix (stop when you no longer see dry flour).
  4. Spoon the batter into the doughnut molds, filling to just below the top of each mold, 1/8- to 1/4-inch from the top. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until lightly golden brown around the edges. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Slide a knife around the edges to help loosen them out . Then place on a cooling rack and allow to cool fully before topping.
  5. Slice each doughnut in half with a small serrated knife. Spread the filling on the bottom half. Spread a coating of ganache on the top half and sandwich together. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

reprinted by permission by Ashley McLaughlin

Thanks for being our foodie crush Ashley, you rock, and we can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve next.

Get more of Edible Perspective here:

web // edibleperspective.com
twitter // @edibleash
facebook // The Edible Perspective 
instagram // @edibleash
pinterest // Ashley McLaughlin

Reporting by Hayley Teater

As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. 

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About Hayley

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah | The Sugar Hit says

    March 24, 2014 at 2:41 am

    I love Ashley – those three words, bright, approachable and creative, are EXACTLY what I would have used to describe her. I never get tired of reading The Edible Perspective. Gorgeous lady, and a great piece.

    Reply

  2. Cliff Thomas M.D. says

    March 24, 2014 at 4:36 am

    Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  7. Susan Broughton says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:37 am

    My favorite doughnut is a jelly filled powdered doughnut. I like all the different flavors that they put inside the doughnuts too.!

    Reply

  8. Maddie says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:42 am

    My favorite is Boston cream so I’m definitely going to try this recipe out! I had an incredible vegan Boston cream recently; so good!

    Reply

  11. Susan J says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:02 am

    My favorite doughnut is a jelly filled doughnut! Yum!

    I’m excited to try this doughnut as I was recently diagnosed with some food allergies and am learning how to bake without wheat flour.

    Reply

  14. Tieghan says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Ashley is the nicest and most given person, I love her, her photos and her site! This was a great post and I loved reading it!! Also, her book is KILLER. I know because I have had it since the day it came out. So much goodness in one book!

    Reply

  15. Wild Child says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:27 am

    My favorite donut is the old fashion, plain jane, cake donut. Simply the best imo! Congrats to Ashley on her book – I follow her blog and have been watching the progress from start to finish. A second book? Yes please!!!

    Reply

  16. Deborah A says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:29 am

    Honey Dipped Tim Horton’s are a real treat for me, especially because I probably have one only once a year. The Boston Creme doughnut looks decadent. Sadly, the entry login is stuck on loading, oh well.

    Reply

  21. Terri says

    March 24, 2014 at 7:49 am

    I love Ashley’s blog and her work. She is awesome and thank you for sharing!
    I love any kind of doughnut that contains peanut butter. As long as it has PB and of course chocolate doesn’t hurt, I’m sold!

    Reply

  24. Beth H says

    March 24, 2014 at 9:20 am

    I have to chose one donut? Chocolate glazed. I did loved the maple bacon donut from VooDoo Donuts in Portland, OR.

    Reply

  30. Hilary says

    March 24, 2014 at 10:08 am

    I love Boston Creme Donuts but my kid recently diagnosed with celiac misses donuts and this will make him one happy camper.

    Reply

  38. Lee Ann L. says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    My Grandmother’s fried donuts were my favorite; but, she is long gone. I now can no longer eat most donuts; so, I must make my own. I would love to try this cookbook because we’ve gone gluten free! Thank you for a chance!

    Reply

  47. T.R. says

    March 24, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    The very classic glazed. Especially a really good light and fluffy one with just the perfect glaze. Mmmmm.

    Reply

  71. Denise | TLT says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:01 am

    What a lovely interview and you’ve got my craving donuts big time now. I can never leave this blog without being so hungry, even if I just finished my massive breakfast. I guess that’s a good sign though;) Hope you’re well Heidi! xoxo

    Reply

  72. Patti says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:49 am

    Even though I cannot have doughnuts due to dietary restrictions, my all time favorite was always the Boston Cream. Reading this brought back fond childhood memories!

    Reply

  78. micahmedia.net says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:17 am

    Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to
    check out your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good
    blog!

    Reply

  83. JC says

    March 26, 2014 at 6:57 am

    So umm last week I pretty much invented the doughnut of my dreams. Chocolate with Earl Grey Glaze. Is it horrible to pimp my own blog this way? I really did love it!

    Reply

  87. Imani says

    March 26, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Those boston cream donuts look so incredible! My favorite donut is orignal glazed. Can’t beat a classic.

    Reply

  89. Colleen says

    March 26, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    I love unfilled maple long johns! They’re my mom’s favorites and she passed that preference down to me. :-)

    Reply

  97. Dominica says

    March 27, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    This recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it. I’ve been experimenting with gluten free baking lately, so I’m excited to have found this.

    Reply

  107. Rosie says

    March 29, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    My favorite donut is probably Thick Mint from the Donut Whole in Wichita, Kansas. It’s basically an oversized thin mint cookie…delicious! But, a donut is a donut, and I usually like them all!

    Reply

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