Mel McDonald found herself wanting to create a healthier caramel donut as an alternative to sugary fried donuts, and as a result developed this grown-up version of the baked treat.
Since the Caramel Pecan Rosemary Donut is vegan, it is prepared with ground flax seeds instead of an egg. Other substitutions may be noticeable in the recipe, but hard to pick out based on taste alone. For instance, ingredients like coconut oil, coconut pal, sugar crystals and vanilla extract are used for sweetness, but the hints of "caramel" in this donut actually comes from Medjool dates and an almond butter mixture.
Once the donut batter is prepared and baked, the Date Caramel is generously spread over the treat and piled with pecans and a few fresh piece of rosemary.
Artisan Caramel Donuts
This Vegan Donut Gets a Touch of Sophistication from Pecan and Rosemary
Trend Themes
1. Healthy Desserts - Creating alternatives to sugary treats that are healthier and use natural ingredients.
2. Vegan Baking - Developing vegan versions of traditional baked goods using plant-based substitutes.
3. Flavor Substitutions - Using unconventional ingredients to replicate familiar flavors in a unique way.
Industry Implications
1. Health & Wellness - This trend in healthy desserts presents opportunities for companies in the health and wellness industry to create and market nutritious alternatives to traditional treats.
2. Food & Beverage - The rise of vegan baking opens up opportunities for food and beverage companies to expand their product lines with plant-based options that appeal to a wider range of consumers.
3. Food Technology - Innovations in flavor substitutions provide opportunities for food technology companies to develop new processes and ingredients that can be used to create unique flavor profiles in baked goods.