Restaurant Review: Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee

Kellie cannot wait to get her hands on a doughnut and a cup of coffee!

I finally made it to Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee in Costa Mesa with my good friend Kellie. She is turning out to be my partner in crime when it comes to doughnut adventures!

I love the simple and clean look of the place!

I have been wanting to try this place for quite sometime and was happy to go with Kellie for both of our first times! Sidecar is known for using the best ingredients and never using preservatives in their doughnuts!

Everywhere I go I see Mickey!

Lil Oishi is ready to try his first Stumptown Cold Brew!

Besides amazing doughnuts they also carry Stumptown Coffee from Portland, Oregon! These guys are right up there with Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa for their dedication to quality. Quality in their relationships with the coffee bean growers, the coffee making process and the communities that you find them in.

The Cold Brew is just that, coffee brewed without heat. It's a long 12 hour process that results in a smooth, full-bodied brew. Perfect just out of the fridge! Perfect with all of the quality doughnuts from Sidecar!

Sidecar makes about 12 different doughnuts each week and they rotate through all of their flavors. You can go to their site (at the bottom of this post) to see what flavors are available!

This is the best maple bacon doughnut I have ever tasted! The doughnut is light and airy, not heavy like your typical doughnut shops. The maple is subtle and not overpowering which allows for the great taste of the crisp bacon to come through. Just perfect in my opinion!

This was my first experience with huckleberry. Not only is there huckleberries in the glaze but also in the cake! The sweet and tart taste quickly made this another favorite!

I am a sucker for twist doughnuts and this madagascar vanilla twist was one of the best ever. Light and airy and not too sweet made this just perfect for me!

Last but not least is the malasada. Now with parents born and raised on Oahu, Leonard's is famous! And I was just mentioning to some friends why isn't there a malasada on the menu anywhere? Well here it is! These are not quite the same as Leonard's but every bit as good! Soft, light, airy and sugary! I could be back on Oahu right now!

Yes, the doughnuts are pricy but worth every penny. You can taste the quality in every bite. Plus, paired with quality coffee and you have a great meal or snack! I will gladly be back!

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

270 E 17th St
Ste 18
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

(949) 887-2910

www.sidecardoughnuts.com

Hours: Mon-Sun 6:30 am - 4 pm

Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts Recipe!

 

Makes 14 doughnuts

 

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
4 cups flour (plus a little more if dough is sticky)
oil (for frying)
cinnamon sugar

Directions:

1 In a large bowl mix the sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
 

2 Add eggs, milk and melted butter. Beat well.
 

3 Add 3 cups of the flour, beating until blended. Add one more cup of flour and beat well. The dough should be soft and sticky but firm enough to handle. If you feel its necessary, add up to 1/2 cup more flour.
 

4 Cover with plastic wrap and chill for *at* *least* one hour.
 

5 Remove your dough from the fridge and begin heating about 1" of oil to 360F in a large metal skillet.
 

6 Working half the dough at a time, roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2" thickness. Cut out circles using a doughnut cutter or large biscuit or cookie cutter. For the center, I actually use the cap off my martini shaker ;) to cut the holes.
 

7 Gently drop the doughnuts in batches into the hot oil. Flip them over as they puff and turn them a couple more times as they cook. They will take about 2-3 minutes in total and will be lovely and golden brown all over.
 

8 Remove from the oil and set them on paper towels or brown paper bag (that removes all the fat, you know).
 

9 douse them with sugar and cinnamon, icing, chocolate dipped with sprinkles or whatever you like.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/old-fashioned-cake-doughnuts-donuts-383868

Buttermilk Doughnuts Donuts Recipe!

 

Makes 14 donuts!

 

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon dry active yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons shortening, melted (DO NOT use oil)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2-3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk

Directions:

1 Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
 

2 Add buttermilk, shortening, sugar and 1 1/2 cup flour, baking powder and salt; mix well.
 

3 Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
 

4 Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead several times.
 

5 Roll dough to 1/2 inch thick and cut with a 2 1/2 inch doughnut cutter.
 

6 Place doughnuts on lightly floured surface, cover and let rise 45 minutes or until double in bulk.
 

7 Heat 2-3 inches of oil to 375°F.
 

8 (I use my Fry Daddy) Drop in 4 or 5 doughnuts at a time.
 

9 Cook about 2 minutes or until lightly golden in color, turning once.
 

10 Drain well on paper towels.
 

11 Combine 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 1/4 cup milk, stir until smooth.
 

12 Dip each doughnut in glaze while still warm; allow excess glaze to drip off.
 

13 Cool on wire rack or serve warm.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/buttermilk-doughnuts-donuts-91792