Fork and Beans

Making food fun for the family

Peanut Butter Cup Healing

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Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word that means “noble or awakened heart.” Just as butter is inherent in milk and oil is inherent in a sesame seed, the soft spot of bodhichitta is inherent in you and me. It  is equated, in part, with our ability to love, no matter how committed we are to unkindness, selfishness, or greed, the genuine heart of bodhichitta cannot be lost. It is here in all that lives, never marred and completely whole.

It  is said that in difficult times, it is only bodhichitta that heals. When inspiration has become hidden, when we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can be found in the tenderness of pain itself. Bodhichitta is also equated, in part, with compassion–our ability to feel the pain that we share with others.

Without realizing it we continually shield ourselves from this pain because it scares us. Based on a deep fear of being hurt, we erect protective walls made out of strategies, opinions, prejudices, and emotions. Yet just as a jewel that has been buried in the earth for a million years is not discolored or harmed, in the same way this noble heart is not affected by all the ways we try to protect ourselves from it. The jewel can be brought out into the light at any time, and it will glow as brilliantly as if nothing had ever happened.

Peanut Butter Cup Mini Donuts Recipe

Gluten, dairy, and egg free

Makes 16-18 mini donuts

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/3 c. sorghum flour (I use Authentic Foods brand)
  • 1/3 c. Brown rice flour (Authentic Foods)
  • 1/4 c. cocoa powder
  • 1/4 c. potato starch
  • 1/4 c. arrowroot powder
  • 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
  • (OR: 2/3 c. regular flour + 1/4 c. cocoa powder and omit xanthan gum)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c. buttermilk (1/2 Tb apple cider vinegar + 1/2 c. non-dairy milk)
  • 1 1/2 tsp Ener-G egg replacer + 2 Tbs warm water, mixed til frothy
  • 1/4 c. oil
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix dry ingredients {from flours to salt} together until fully combined.
  3. Make a well in the center of the bowl. Add all the remainder of wet ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just incorporated.
  4. Grease a mini donut pan.
  5. Place 1/2 batter into a ziploc baggie. Cut the corner of one side to use as an opening. This part is important in the shape of the donuts: Using one hand to firmly keep the dough flowing out of the hole, squirt the dough out in a circle in the pan.
  6. Bake 8 minutes. Allow to sit in the pan for 3 minutes after you take it out of the oven.

Peanut Butter Frosting

  • 1/4 c. non-dairy butter {I like Fleischman’s}, softened
  • 1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
  • 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 Tb non-dairy milk
  1. Mix butter and peanut butter together with an electric mixer on medium for 2 minutes, until fluffy.
  2. Add powdered sugar and mix. Add milk until creamy, smooth, and fluffy.
  3. Pipe into the small hole of the mini donut.

Dip entire donut into and coat with melted non-dairy chocolate. Allow to set for 30 minutes or freeze for 5 minutes and eat immediately.

This tenderness for life, bodhichitta , awakens when we no longer shield ourselves from the vulnerability of our condition, from the basic fragility of existence. It awakens through kinship with the suffering of others. We train in the bodhichitta practices in order to become so open that we can take the pain of the world in, let it touch our hearts, and turn it into compassion.

–Pema Chodron, Comfortable with Uncertainty

{Thank you again, Krystal. xo}

From the bottom of my bodhichitta, I thank you for being some of the most supportive friends. Thank you for the phone calls, the texts, the emails, the messages, the gifts, the meals out this past week–no one has ever felt as loved as this girl does right this moment. I love you all. Truly.

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Snickers Mini Donuts            Almond Joy Mini Donuts

About Cara

Based in Chicago with her husband and son, Cara is the creator behind the site Fork and Beans: A place where kids can have fun with their food.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole S (@censoring)

    This is so delicious! I just found your blog like an hour ago and I knew I had to have this RIGHT NOW. I kind of made a lazy version though. The mini donuts turned into cupcake-like things and the peanut butter filling turned into icing. I love your blog in general and I can’t wait to try more. Thanks for making it easier to be gluten-free!

    • Cara

      Hi Nicole! You are my kind of girl 🙂 Sometimes, you just need a donut (or cupcake) hehe. So happy you enjoyed the recipe! xo

  2. Stephanie Howard

    Cara, you are amazing…My daughter is soo excited. Doughnuts, everybody likes doughnuts but when you transform them into candy bar doughnuts, it does not get much better than that!

  4. Heather

    When I read your post it put a smile on my facing knowing that you are moving towards the healing part of this journey – you are a strong beauiful person Cara, you may think you are the lucky one, but the truth is we are the lucky ones to have the opportunity to love and support you.

    and I cannot leave you without telling you how incredible these donuts are – yes versy incredible indeed.

    sending big hugs
    xoxox – H

    • Cara

      It feels nice to already be in the healing phase–thank you for acknowledging it, friend. AND for the unbelievably kind words. Man, I am the luckiest girl alive to be surrounded by friends like you. Feeling those hugs…

  5. Cadry's Kitchen

    I was unfamiliar with the concept of Bodhichitta until this post, but I like the idea very much that it is always there waiting for connection. It is a testament to the loveliness of you that people feel compelled to buoy around you when you are down. Here’s hoping for sunnier days ahead!

    • Cara

      I was unfamiliar myself, until I started to read about it in a book that I just bought called “Comfortable with Uncertainty”–I HIGHLY recommend it!

      Thank you for the love, Cadry! xo

  6. Gabby @ the veggie nook

    Beautiful. That is the perfect word to describe this post, both the words and the recipe. I ope you are starting to feel better, and that these treats are helping 🙂 Just remember you are beautiful and strong and can overcome anything!

    sending lots of love xoxo

  7. ninaherbert

    It’s moments like these I wish I lived close by so I could give you a hug. Sorry to hear you’ve been in need of extra care (but pleased you have friends around for hugs and lovin’). The other wish I have is that peanuts didn’t hate me so! Sigh. Still, I’m tempted to try them with sunflower seed butter. 🙂
    Sending you some Canberra sunshine. :o)

    • Cara

      You should work on that and move over here… Or wait, I should more there 🙂 I would take you on that hug and go back for seconds.

  8. Isobelle

    I miss you.

    And I wish I had been around more recently to offer up some of my own supportive words for you (though I’m not the best at that, I’m a good listener).

    Plus, I still owe you for letting me blab on at you about school ages ago.

    Anyway, I have noticed that your posts haven’t been showing up in my emails lately. And apparently you haven’t been feeling too great (I’m so behind, I’m sorry!), but do know that I truly appreciate Cara – the compassionate, thoughtful and loving person that you are!

    • Cara

      I miss you too! Why can’t you move to California? We could practice our arm wrestling skills for Ashlae… Thank you for this beautiful comment. I have been rather ellusive to what is going on so no worries. I will email you to update you but until then, know that this comment put THE biggest smile in my heart! xo

  9. Willow

    Beautiful post, Cara – the donuts, and the inspiring sentement. I hope it’s a sign you’re feeling better. If I could reach through the computer screen I would give you a big hug (and steal a donut, for sure!).

    • Cara

      Hope is always a choice, right? Feeling rather hopefull these days, thanks Willow. Giving you a big hug right back…and I saw that!

  10. Richa@HobbyandMore

    seriously girl! i need some of the calm energy this week. everything about money is always frustrating:)
    these peanut butter cups better be healing.
    glad u r feeling bettah! smile for me!

  11. Lou

    Can I just say Cara, I think I love you? Seriously, if we lived in the same country I would be round at yours for DMT’s (deep and meaningful talks) coffee and delicious baked goods more often than not. You would probably have to boot me out to get rid of me. You’re a gem… amazing recipes aside… what I get from you is that you are GENUINE… which is a hard thing to come by these days x

    • Cara

      You have one thing incorrect in this comment: I wouldn’t boot you out. In fact, I would probably plead with you to stay longer as you remind me you have a life outside of our coffee chats 🙂
      Can we make this happen please???!

      • Lou

        Me and Viper have started a US adventure savings fund…. ahhhh one day! Where are you over there anyway? The Gold Coast welcomes you with open arms (as do I) ANY time x Come hang Down Under!

        • Cara

          I am in California–a MUST see when you and Viper make your way here. But I might beat you to the punch, especially now knowing that you are along the Gold Coast! That has been my dream for a few years! How fun is that going to be???

  13. AnonymousBurn

    This post is beautiful and so are you and so are these donuts! I love how Frugal Feeding likes to show off how proper he is spelling them correctly. I won’t buy into it though.

  14. hungarylouis

    As my birthday quickly approaches {this wednesday} i have been searching for the perfect peanut butter chocolate treat to make. The combination of peanut butter + chocolate sing to my soft spot… and always bring me Santosha {sanskrit: complete contentment}. I will be making these asap. Thanks for the thoughtful post.

  15. keepinitkind

    Your bodhichitta is amazing (and so are these doughnuts!). I am just continually impressed with you. I am so happy you’re feeling better this week. To a brand new day (I’m offering a toast to you with my cup of coffee right now)!

    • Cara

      For reals though, YOUR bodhichitta is rather amazing as well! Can’t wait for our next lunch date. What a blessing you are…

  16. frugalfeeding

    You do obsess about DOUGHNUTS rather a lot don’t you, old thing? They look incredible though – perhaps not as good as the previous post though, eh? Haha. Joking, of course.

  17. Tasty Yummies

    Lovely post Cara. Thanks so much for sharing. So much inspiration. I hope you are feeling better today. I know if I had those donuts right now, I would be feeling amazing 🙂 Hope you are well xoxo

  18. Genevieve

    I’m not a big fan of chocolate, but these still look pretty delicious (especially with the peanut butter filling)! I’m not sure what you’ve been going through, but I’m sorry you’ve been feeling this way. I’m glad you’ve found some inspiration and comfort in the buddhist teachings. My friend has been sending me daily “positive reflections” from the Brahma Kumaris spiritual organization, which focuses on spiritual awakening and meditation. Even though I don’t follow the faith, I still find the messages helpful – they’re all about building self-respect and inner peace, and letting that guide our daily actions, and learning not to let our negative thoughts and emotions control us or affect our relationships with others. Anyway, I saw a bit of a connection with whatever you’re going through, so I hope you’re able to find some comfort in the words you’ve been reading too and the support from your friends 🙂

    • Cara

      Thanks for this comment, Genevieve! I am with you–I find the teachings to meet me where I am at and I think that is the incredible beauty of Buddhism. You don’t have to adhere to all of it–but it’s truth is transcendent. Much love to you!

  20. Somer

    Sending you bloggie love. Wish I was with you eating plates and plates of those peanut butter cups 🙁

      • Somer

        Lots of reasons to come to Utah…. Um, hiking, biking, running trails everywhere, Park City shopping, Omar’s Rawtopia, a million amazing National Parks, me and my Motley Crew? What more could you ask for. Seriously Open invite!

        In the meantime, I am going to find your email on your site, email you, force you to give me your address, and send you some healing essential oils. Girl needs some lavender and serenity now and again 🙁

  21. Ashlae W. | oh, ladycakes

    Ugh, my ass is getting fat just looking at these. I’m really kind of thankful we don’t live closer to one another 😉

    Rah ha ha! Just kidding. I adore you and am happy you’ve found healing through something. I mean, it could be worse. Way worse. REMEMBER ME FIVE MONTHS AGO? Two words: train wreck.

    I adore you with every ounce of my bodhichitta. I wish I knew how to pronounce that..

    • Cara

      If that is a train wreck then I would take that without a doubt. As long as I could look that cute as well 🙂

      HAHA. I have been trying to figure out how to pronounce it too–we can botch bodhichitta and the other wouldn’t know it…nor would it really matter right? I love you girl!

  22. Abby

    While there really isn’t a better combination than chocolate and nut butters of any sort, I will make the argument that compassion and companionship run a close second. It’s often so easy to be compassionate to our friends when they’re in need, but hard to apply that compassion to ourselves. However, only by remembering that we’re allowed to be human and actually feel pain without feeling weak can be hard to do.

    I’m glad you’re feeling better and healing–through food, friends and forgiveness 😉

    • Cara

      The “allowing ourselves to be human without feeling weak” has always been a tough one for me that has gotten better as the years progress. But still tough. I have to remind myself daily to stay in the moment and allow myself to feel sadness and not run away from it…

      And just so you know, you are up on the top of the list of the “friends” part of friends, food and forgiveness.

  23. Laurel

    That as some beautiful writing and evocative imagery. You amaze me. You come through hell with poetry in your heart and donuts on your lips. You are one extra special, beautiful woman. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo

    • Cara

      I wish that I could take credit for the writing but it is from a woman named Pema Chodron. She is a buddhist nun that has such a way with words–it’s been speaking to me so much this weekend and finding its place into my heart.

        • Cara

          Really, it is YOUR heart that is beautiful. You always know how to say things that brighten my day. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxox <–right back at you 🙂

  26. Caitlin

    what a beautiful post. you have such a lovely way of finding the positive way of looking at things, which is remarkable <3 we should all take a nod from you and do the same. xo.

    • Cara

      It makes it so much easier to find the positive in things when I am surrounding by beautiful people like yourself. For reals. Makes me realize that I have every reason to be happy.

Trackbacks

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