I figured time spent in the kitchen creating these beauties is time well-spent – for my family, whether it be for Valentine’s Day/weekend or a simple birthday surprise. RECIPE Spiced Brown Sugar Diplomat Cream 100g egg yolks (about 8 yolks) 105g sugar 30g corn starch 412g whole milk 1 Tbsp vanilla paste, or the scrapings from one vanilla bean 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp ginger 20g unsalted butter, at room temperature Approximately 300g heavy cream Bread Dough 1 envelope (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, lukewarm 3 Tbsp brown sugar, divided 3 3/4 cups (565g) all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 2 Tbsp ground ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs, at room temperature 2 Tbsp unsulphered molasses 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 90g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature Neutral Oil, for frying (about 4-6 cups) Granulated sugar for tossing doughnuts  {more} {photo credit}