Mini Donut Box Valentine

For our anniversary this year I was 38 weeks and 6 days pregnant.  Ever been 38 weeks and 6 days pregnant?  If so, I bet you can relate when I say I felt less like a pretty little vixen and more like a hippopotamus.  So, instead of lingerie or some other frilly something, I gave the gift of sugar: a case of Dr. Pepper and a fun box of mini homemade donuts.  At this point, what's an extra pound or two?!

This would be a fun gift for Valentine's Day too - food is always a winner, right? 

And you could easily make this for teachers, friends, grandparents or neighbors.  

  

Here's the How:

Supplies-
- Mini Donut Maker (We got one for Christmas from my cousin.  You can find them HERE for about $25 and HERE for $20.)
- Donut Recipe (I just used the basic one that was included in the instruction manual.)
- Chocolate chips and sprinkles for glazing and decorating your donuts.  (There were also some fun glazing ideas in the instruction manual, but chocolate is always a sure winner in this house.)
- Old small flat-rate Priority box
- Scrapbook paper
- Tape or glue
- Plastic zippy bag

Instructions-
1.  Mix your donut batter and bake according to the recipe you choose to use.  I did a basic recipe included in the instruction manual, but there were recipes for cherry donuts, butterscotch donuts, wheat donuts, and a bunch of others.

2.  Let the donuts cool.  Melt your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring between each set, until they are melted.  Glazing rule of thumb is 3 parts chocolate chips to 1 part milk or water (I used milk).  Dip the tops of your donuts in the glaze and set on wax paper to dry.  Add any sprinkles you desire before the chocolate starts to dry.

3.  While your donuts set, take your priority box and cover it with the scrapbook paper.  I used tacky glue and packing tape to get it all stuck.  Before you cover the top of the box, cut out a window, if you want one.  I also cut the side tabs off the top of the box and on each side.  If you want a sturdier box, leave them intact.  Cut your sandwich size zippy bag so that it folds open into a long rectangle.  Tape it to the top of the box and then cover the top of the box with your scrapbook paper.  You can also cover the inside of the box so you can't see all the "PRIORITY MAIL" text, but I didn't take the time to do it.

4.  Lay down a piece of wax paper in the bottom of the box and fill the box with your donuts.  I got ten donuts in the box.  You could also come up with some cute and cheesy tag with a saying along the lines of "Thanks for the most amazing four years!  I love you!  "Donut" forget it!" or "I'm so lucky that we're friends.  'Donut' ever change.  Happy Valentine's Day"  I didn't get a tag done before My Mr Right arrived home from work and busted me in the process of filling the box.

He still liked the gift, even though it was no longer a surprise.  ANND... he'd already found the case of Dr. Pepper I hid in the laundry room... guess I need a new hiding spot.  Good thing he doesn't like surprises, huh?


Super Speedy Version of this Gift:  Pick up a bag of mini donuts from your local grocery store and use them in the box instead of the homemade variety.  Still a fun gift with a cute presentation, but way less work...