The Story
I’ve always been a bit…too trusting when it comes to strangers. You know how in the Spider-Man movies, Peter Parker has this built-in spidey sense that lets him pick up on bad vibes or sense when something sketchy is about to go down? Yeah, I don’t have that at all. Not even close. It’s not that I ignore warning signs, I just don’t seem to notice them at all. I’ve struck up conversations with people others would avoid in a heartbeat, totally oblivious to any red flags.
Take this past February, for example. I was flying alone for the first time, feeling all grown up and independent. The flight was going fine until the guy sitting next to me asked to see my boarding pass. My boarding pass. I didn’t even question it! I just handed it over without a second thought, like he was some friendly TSA agent moonlighting as a seatmate. And then, to make it even worse, he casually asked for my home address and I—without a shred of hesitation—gave it to him. Yep, you heard that right. I gave my home address to a complete stranger on an airplane.
It wasn’t until hours later, when I was telling the story to my sister, that I realized how absolutely ridiculous it was. I’m 5'2" and barely intimidating to a house cat, let alone some random dude on a plane. Let’s just say I don’t exactly scream “threatening.” And yet, it never once crossed my mind that maybe, just maybe, I shouldn’t be handing out personal information like candy at Halloween.
The truth is, I’ll talk to just about anyone, anywhere—whether they’re friendly or have the kind of face that others might avoid in a dark alley. I’ve never had that internal alarm that tells you to be cautious, to keep your guard up. It’s not just people, though. I’m also completely unaware of my surroundings. I’ll walk into a room and not notice if someone’s moved an entire piece of furniture. One time, I was so deep in conversation at a grocery store that I didn’t even notice I’d wandered into the wrong aisle and ended up in the frozen food section, talking to myself like I was looking for cereal. I guess I just get too lost in my own world.
Thankfully, nothing bad has happened to me—yet. But maybe it’s time I start carrying pepper spray or at the very least stop giving out my home address to strangers. It’s probably also time I develop a little more “spidey sense,” because while talking to new people can be fun, maybe not everyone needs to know where I live.
Looking back, I realize how important it is to be a little more cautious—not just with strangers, but in how I move through life in general. And while I’m still working on that, one place where I never have to second-guess myself is in the kitchen. Baking has this way of grounding me, making me feel safe and in control, even when everything else is a bit chaotic. Maybe it’s the structure, the routine, or just the fact that there’s no element of surprise (well, except when I accidentally burn a batch, but that’s on me). One of my favorite recipes that’s comforting and reliable—unlike my stranger danger radar—is cinnamon sugar donuts. They’re warm, sweet, and just the kind of thing you can trust to turn out right every time, no questions asked.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan (or muffin pan if you don’t have a donut pan!).
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine and Fill the Pan:
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
5. Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let them cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
6. Make the Topping:
While the donuts are cooling, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the warm donuts with melted butter, then dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating each donut evenly.
7. Enjoy:
Serve warm, and enjoy the comforting sweetness of these cinnamon sugar donuts. Trust me, they’re far more reliable than my sense of stranger danger.
Tips:
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can easily make these as muffins—just bake for an extra 2-3 minutes and they’ll still be delicious!
- For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle a little glaze over the top or dip them in melted chocolate.
- These donuts taste best fresh, but if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Enjoy,
Lauren