As some of you may know (or probably none of you know, whatever) I have been on a minor gym hiatus. Because of the holidays, and then the days following the holidays, and the weeks after that, and oh godddd I just really didn’t want to go. So there’s that.
Well, I went to Zumba yesterday and let’s just say it was all kinds of awkward and gave me a disturbing revelation: I am not as good of a dancer as I’d previously thought.
Years ago, I did bellydancing for 4 or so years. Prior to that I took dance classes in college, did jazz as a preteen and tap as a kiddo. Not to mention the constant asshattery dancing I’ve done in my house throughout my entire 23 years on this earth. You’d think with that kind of background I’d have some sliver of rhythm in my bones, some kind of hand-eye coordination that didn’t look like a seizing cow. You’d think.
Here I was, standing in Zumba class full of women of all shape, age and size. And despite their differences in looks, they had one thing in common: girls be dancing like they were in a Shakira video. I mean, hip thrusts, shoulder shakin’, booty tooching.. the entire kit and scandalous caboodle. And they all danced in sync which made it look like a cool latin music video… except for that weird chick in the background dancing in the opposite direction of everyone else and making this cool, sexy dance look like a cruel joke.
As everyone grinded and shook their bodies and booties, I robotically irked my limbs here a la Elaine. And when the instructor broke out the salsa? I was far from Sofia Vergara and more Celtic river dancer wearing clogs three sizes too large.
Needless to say, it made me think back on all my dance performances and wondered if I was this terrible on those stages, too. And realized that, yeah, I probably was that girl on stage looking like a complete weirdo while everyone else was cute and coordinated. Also, I had this thing where I’d always get in trouble with the teacher for not smiling. I don’t know, it just seemed super weird to be cheesin’ hella hard on stage while doing jazz hands. So not only was I the seizing cow doing the river dance in a latin music video, I was the angry seizing river-dancing cow doing jazz hands. Does anyone else think that descriptor needs to make it on my tombstone?
Hayley Parker: Beloved Daughter, Sister and Seizing River-Dancing Cow with the Coordination and Direction of a Crashing Train.
I wonder if the punks who pee on tombstones would spare mine since it’s already so pathetic? Doubtful.
Anywhooooo, because of my eternal embarrassment for my lack of dancing skills I came home and consoled myself with copious amounts of these adorable Black Forest Donut Whoopies. They’re a delightful combination of whoopie pies, those scrumptious cupcake-esque cookie sandwiches we all love, and donuts, which are god’s gift to humanity. And they couldn’t be simpler to whip up: slice a chocolate donut in half, spread on some cherry & almond frosting and top with a maraschino cherry. Voila.
Get ready to eat in 5, 6, 7, 8…
- 1 pkg miniature chocolate frosted donuts
- 1 can cherry icing
- ½ tsp almond extract
- Maraschino cherries
- On a flat, clean work surface, place each donut on its side and using a serrated knife, gently cut each one in half crosswise to form two sides, the "buns" so to speak. Repeat with remaining donuts.
- Stir the almond extract into the can of cherry frosting until well incorporated. Spoon the frosting into a piping bag attached with a closed-star tip and pipe the frosting in a circular motion on the flat inside of one of the donut halves. Top the frosted donut half with the top of the donut.
- Pipe a tiny star of frosting on top of the donut in the middle hole; affix a maraschino cherry on top. Serve!
- NOTE: If you cannot find cherry frosting (I found mine at Target by Betty Crocker), feel free to make your own homemade cherry buttercream, or buy vanilla frosting and use a cherry extract, maraschino cherry juice, or even cherry Kool-Aid to flavor the icing.
Aren’t these super adorable? They’re *almost* too cute to eat, but then you remember they’re donuts and you’re like “well obviously I’m inhaling the entire batch. Obviously.” See my note within the recipe if you can’t find cherry frosting — I seem to only be able to locate it at Target by Betty Crocker. You could also substitute any other frosting flavor for unique combinations — try chocolate for a double chocolate whoopie, strawberry icing for a sweet Valentine’s treat, or even coconut pecan frosting for an awesome deconstructed German Chocolate Cake Whoopie. Choice is yours, and whatever you choose it’s bound to be scrumptious!
Have a fantastical weekend!
xo, Hayley
Mimi says
You’re 23?!!! Wow. Beautiful whoopies!
thedomesticrebel says
Thank you, Mimi! 🙂
Regan says
Thanks for the crazy good laugh this morning! I really needed it! And those donut woopies are super cute! And that guy in the green shorts is a scream! You made my day! Thanks!
thedomesticrebel says
Hahahaha thanks Regan!! Have a great night! 🙂
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
lol! aw I’m sure you weren’t that bad. I was the annoying girl the dance teacher used as an example of needing to smile because my face is aaalways cheeeesin.
But I digress. The chocolate. Oh the chocolate on these whoopie pies. Mmmm
Sheryl says
Okay, as usual, rock my pitiful but hungry world! They will have to roll me out by spring! This is so clever! I will work out two times today to enjoy without too much guilt! Cheers to my self indulgence! Cheers to you girl!
thedomesticrebel says
Cheers to YOU, Sheryl!!
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
THAT is exactly why I won’t go to a gym. I dance funny, run funny, do everything funny. At least if I’m at home, only my cats can judge me 😉 Better yet, I’ll skip the dancing and do bicep curls with these donuts right into my mouth.
thedomesticrebel says
You and me both!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
Despite my lack of dancing skills, I actually really enjoyed Zumba, however I felt it brought out my anger. I was all “bitch, get out of my spot!” so eventually I just had to stop going in fear of yelling at my classmates.
thedomesticrebel says
SERIOUSLY! Everyone starts encroaching on my dance spot and I feel weaseled out. However, they’re probably doing that so no one has to see my moves but still… haha.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love Zumba but I look like a fool doing it! LOL But I would endure hours of humiliation to eat some of these bad boys
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Dude, I need to get back on the gym asap, I always say I cant go in Jan cuz everyone else does but now that we are 10 days into feb I need to get on it!! But I would probably get on these whoopies before the gym #fatgirlproblems!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
LOL, you make me laugh. I bet you aren’t that bad!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
You crack me up! I’m sure you are nowhere near as bad as I would be!
Once again you have come up with a brilliant combination that I need to try ASAP!
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife says
“Angry seizing river-dancing cow doing jazz hands”- Seriously, tears streaming down my face as I pictured it!! You are seriously too funny!! I’m sure you really aren’t that bad though! And these donut whoopsie pies are the perfect dessert following a crazy experience like that 😉
Julie says
I LOVE this idea! Shared on FB today 🙂 And….you make me laugh!! 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
Thank you, Julie!! 🙂
Sahil says
These are so cute! I love the cherry and the way you did the icing! Pinning!
thedomesticrebel says
Thank you, Sahil! 🙂