It doesn’t have to be a huge event to serve a special treat, especially if that treat is really easy to make. If you have a lot of people to feed, whether family, friends, or associates, you can make some ordinary foods look so elegant that they’ll all think you spent many hours getting ready. Something like a donut tree is easy to make, looks fabulous, and serves many. There are various ways to make donut trees and all of them are scrumptious.
One donut tree you can easily make is done by placing a circle of donuts on a plate. Keep the circle of donuts right at the edges of the circular plate as you position them. Fill the middle of the donut circle with more donuts. Stack another circle of donuts on the original circle but, this time, don’t align the donuts perfectly with the first circle. Scoot them towards the center a little more, make the whole circle of them, then fill in the middle of the circle with more donuts. Continue making another circle, and another, making each circle a little smaller than the previous one, and filling in the center with additional donuts. When you get to the very top, set just one donut there.
A completely different type of donut tree is made when you use a large, Styrofoam cone. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap, taping the wrap in place, if necessary. Push wooden skewers into the lower area of the cone, all the way around, spacing them evenly apart – leaving the width of a donut between each set. Encircle the lower area of the cone, hang the donuts on the skewers, then go up and make another circle of skewers, and hang donuts on those. Continue to go up the tree and hang donuts on skewers. When you get to the very top, push a skewer piece into one side of the donut, and push the other end into the tip of the cone.
One of my favorite trees to make and serve my guests is the donut hole tree. It, too, is made with a Styrofoam cone that has been covered in plastic wrap. Spread a thick layer of any flavor of frosting on the entire tree and begin sticking donut holes to it. Work in circles, starting around the bottom of the tree, and working your way up to the top. End with one donut hole on the very tip.
I enjoy making donut trees because they’re quick and easy yet look spectacular. They’re great for breakfast, brunch, a child’s birthday party, a baby shower, or even a wedding.