Farm-Fresh Holiday Jam-Filled Donuts

🎄 Farm-Fresh Holiday Jam-Filled Donuts

Cozy, golden, and sugar-dusted — these jam-filled donuts are everything the holidays should smell and taste like. Soft, puffy, and bursting with SandyCreek Farm jams, they’re perfect for holiday breakfasts, snacks, or homemade gifts.

🍩 Ingredients

Black & Blue Jelly from SandyCreek Farm. Jelly made from fresh blackberry & blueberry juice, no seeds.

Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 packet (7 g) instant yeast

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 100 g unsalted butter, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

• 1 1/4 cups warm whole milk

Frying & Coating:

• Vegetable oil (for frying; ~3–4” deep in a pot)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

Filling:

• Your favorite SandyCreek Farm jams: Strawberry Rhubarb, Blueberry, Blackberry, etc.

🍴 Directions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix warm milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla, then add to dry ingredients. Knead 8–10 minutes until soft, smooth, and elastic.

2️⃣ First Rise

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1–1.5 hours).

3️⃣ Shape Donuts

Roll dough to ~½-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (3–4 inches) to cut rounds. Place on a parchment-lined tray, cover, and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.

4️⃣ Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry donuts in batches 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and puffed — just like the picture. Drain briefly on paper towels.

5️⃣ Sugar & Jam

While still warm, dust generously with powdered sugar. Using a piping bag or injector, fill each donut with ~1 tbsp of your chosen SandyCreek Farm jam. The jam should be visible when you bite in — just like in the image!

6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy

Serve immediately for best results. Perfect for brunch, holiday treats, or homemade gifts that will wow everyone.

✨ Helpful Tips

• Use multiple jams to create a colorful holiday donut platter

• Don’t skimp on powdered sugar — it gives that bakery-fresh look

• Make a batch for gifting: stack in a box with a ribbon and include a note about your farm-fresh jams

🎁 Celebrate with Farm-Fresh Flavors

Using SandyCreek Farm jams makes these donuts a true holiday treat — locally sourced, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. Strawberry Rhubarb, Blueberry, Blackberry… whatever your pick, these donuts will be the centerpiece of any holiday table.

Local Lavender, Herbs, and Natural Wellness for Fall & Winter

Cozy Season Is Coming: Local Lavender, Herbs, and Natural Wellness for Fall & Winter

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to prepare for the cozy months ahead — the ones filled with warm drinks, calming scents, nourishing foods, and the kind of self-care that keeps both body and mind in balance.

At Piedmont Fresh, we believe that seasonal living means more than just eating local produce. It’s also about supporting small farms and artisans who craft products that nurture your health, home, and spirit — naturally. This season, our shelves are filled with all-natural, homemade, and locally made wellness items from Muddy Creek Lavender, Fancy Plants Farmstead, and Sunflower Hill Farm. Whether you’re treating yourself or finding thoughtful gifts for friends and family, these products are perfect for the months when comfort and care matter most.

Lavender for Mind, Body, and Home

Lavender has been cherished for centuries, and for good reason. This fragrant purple bloom isn’t just beautiful — it’s a powerhouse for both skin health and emotional well-being. Known for its calming aroma, lavender can help reduce stress, ease tension headaches, and promote restful sleep. It’s also naturally antibacterial and soothing for irritated skin, making it a perfect ingredient for soaps, balms, and oils.

From Muddy Creek Lavender, you can find:

• Lavender Infusion Kit & Lavender Simple Syrup Kit – Bring the taste and aroma of lavender into your kitchen. These are perfect for teas, lemonades, cocktails, baked goods, and even savory dishes.

• Lavender Essential Oil & Essential Oil Roller – Add to a diffuser for relaxation or roll onto pulse points for on-the-go aromatherapy.

• Lavender Vanilla Lip Balm – Protect lips from dry, cool air while enjoying a hint of sweetness.

• Shower Steamers – Transform your shower into a spa-like retreat with calming lavender and chamomile vapors.

• Gardener’s Salve & Joint Warming Salve – Soothe hardworking hands and tired muscles naturally.

• Handcrafted Soaps – Chamomile, Lavender & Mint Tea Soap, Pure Lavender Soap, and Lavender Mint Gardener’s Soap — gentle cleansing with natural fragrance.

• Dried Lavender Bunches – Beautiful for display, but also wonderful for DIY sachets, teas, and bath blends.

Herbal Teas & Blends for Wellness

There’s something deeply comforting about wrapping your hands around a warm mug of herbal tea when it’s cold outside. These blends from Muddy Creek Lavender and Fancy Plants Farmstead aren’t just delicious — they also offer impressive health benefits:

• Chamomile – Known for promoting relaxation and better sleep, while also aiding digestion.

• Mint – Refreshing, soothing for the stomach, and may help relieve headaches.

• Lavender Breakfast Tea – A fragrant, gentle start to your morning.

• Sip-N-Soak Herbal Blend – Perfect for brewing or adding to bathwater for total-body relaxation.

• Trust Your Gut Herbal Blend – Designed to support digestion and gut health.

• Herbs de Provence Spice Blend – Packed with antioxidant-rich herbs that support heart health while adding flavor to your cooking without excess salt.

Mushrooms, Turmeric, and Plant-Based Power

Beyond herbs and flowers, fall and winter are a great time to incorporate medicinal mushrooms and powerful roots into your diet. Sunflower Hill Farm offers:

• Turmeric Plants – Grow your own at home for fresh anti-inflammatory, joint-supporting spice year-round.

• Heritage Harvest Mushroom Extracts:

  • Lion’s Mane – Known to boost cognitive function, memory, and focus, while also supporting nerve health.

  • Reishi – A centuries-old medicinal mushroom that supports immune function and helps the body manage stress.

These extracts can be added to teas, coffees, smoothies, or broths — making it easy to incorporate into your daily wellness routine.

Why Choose Local for Your Self-Care?

When you buy natural wellness products from Piedmont Fresh, you’re not just buying something for yourself — you’re supporting local farmers, makers, and the local economy. These products are made in small batches, with care and integrity, without the unnecessary chemicals and additives found in many commercial items.

Shopping local means your money stays in the community, sustaining small businesses and farms. It also means you’re getting fresher, higher-quality products made with ingredients grown right here in the Piedmont region.

Your Fall & Winter Wellness Checklist

If you’re ready to prepare for the cooler months, here’s a quick checklist to get started:

• Stock up on herbal teas to sip on chilly mornings and evenings.

• Add lavender products to your skincare and self-care routines.

• Keep balms and salves on hand for dry skin and sore muscles.

• Try mushroom extracts and turmeric for immune and cognitive support.

• Create a calming home atmosphere with dried lavender or fresh flowers.

Shop all these products and more at PiedmontFresh.com, the Thomasville Farmers Market, and the Lexington Farmers Market — your local sources for fresh food, handmade goods, and seasonal wellness essentials.

Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished

Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever shopped for beef at a farmers market or grocery store, you’ve probably seen labels like “grass-fed” and “grass-finished.” While they might sound similar, these terms have key differences that impact the nutritional value, taste, and quality of the meat.

What Does Grass-Fed Mean?

"Grass-fed" sounds straightforward, but it simply means the animal was fed grass at some point in its life. Since all cows start out eating grass, this label doesn't necessarily mean they were grass-fed their entire lives. Many cattle labeled as "grass-fed" are still grain-finished, meaning they were fed grain (usually soy and corn) in their final months to increase marbling and fat content.

What is Grass-Finished?

"Grass-finished," also known as "pasture-raised," means the animal was fed only grass and forage for its entire life after weaning. It never received grain-based feed. This results in meat that is:
✔ Leaner than grain-fed beef
✔ Higher in Omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial nutrients
✔ Lower in inflammatory compounds found in grain-fed meat

For those avoiding corn and soy due to dietary preferences or inflammation concerns, grass-finished meat is the better choice.

Why Does This Matter?

The way an animal is raised affects the nutritional quality of the meat. Grain-fed cattle are fattened up quickly in the last 4–6 months of their lives, leading to higher overall fat content. Grass-finished beef, while leaner, is often richer in vitamins and has a distinct, earthy flavor that many people prefer.

Shop Smart, Eat Local

Next time you’re buying beef, check the label carefully! If you're looking for truly grass-fed and grass-finished meat, ask your local farmer directly.