A Breakfast Post! Doughnut Holes

In the past, I had worked for Krispy Kreme. In fact, Hubby worked there as well. He was an assistant manager, and I was a line person. My job was to take the doughnuts off the conveyor belt and put them into boxes, or decorate them. It was actually a fun job. The only down side was that our vehicle, clothes and house all smelled like doughnuts. Some might not think that's so bad, but when you live with that sickeningly sweet smell 24-7, it doesn't become your favorite smell.


Because of this, I have always been hesitant to make doughnuts at home. At the time I was sick of them, and could get them from work, so I didn't even bother. But it's been five years.. and my boys don't remember too much of hubby and I working there, so they are always asking for doughnuts when we go to the store. But have you seen the price of doughnuts?? They've gone up to 60¢ PER doughnut! That's outrageous, when you have three growing boys who could probably eat, like, TEN doughnuts in one sitting.. EACH. Ok, I'm exaggerating. I honestly don't think they could each eat ten, but they could probably put away 3 each. And that adds up! We are living on one income here!


So, I pushed past my thoughts of "Oh No! Not doughnuts again!" and decided to make doughnuts. I found a recipe I knew I had all the ingredients for but there was one problem. I didn't have a doughnut cutter. But I knew that excuse wouldn't fly with my boys.. so I decided instead of doughnuts.. I'd focus on the doughnut holes instead. 

Recipe for Doughnuts:

vegetable oil, for frying
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons shortening
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
Directions:
Heat oil (2 to 3 inches) in deep-fat fryer or heavy kettle to 375 degrees F.

Beat 1 1/2 cups of the flour and the remaining ingredients in large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.

Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 2 minutes. Stir in remaining flour. Turn dough onto well-floured cloth-covered board; roll around lightly to coat with flour. Roll gently 3/8 inch thick.

Cut with floured doughnut cutter. Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula. Turn doughnuts as they rise to surface.

Fry until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove from oil; do not prick doughnuts. Drain on paper towels. Serve plain, sugared or frosted.

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I followed the recipe like it says, but instead of cutting out the doughnuts, I made little balls instead. :) 


Things I would change about the recipe... The flour amount. It was really really sticky using only the 3 1/3 cups of flour. I would add a little more in the end mixing process until it isn't so sticky.  I also recommend cutting (or rolling the balls) all at once. When you put them into the oil, it doesn't take long at all to become golden, and even a shorter time to turn very dark brown (R.I.P first batch of doughnut holes.. I'm sure you would have been delicious) Towards the end, I was actually rolling them right next to the pot and dropping them in so that I could watch ones that were already in there. 


They passed the boys' taste test with flying colors.. I'm sure we'll be making these again.. maybe instead of powdered sugar we'll make chocolate covered, or cinnamon. :) 

Happy Culinary Experiences!

~HeatherRenee

I am going to add the Gluten Free Version for our GF friends and family. :) 

Recipe:
1 egg
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon oil
3/8 cup buttermilk
1 ¾ cup all purpose gluten-free flour
1 ¾ teaspoons xanthan gum
1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
Beat egg and add sugar and oil and buttermilk, then mix together and add dry ingredients.

Fry in a skillet at 370-380F: Drop by teaspoons as donut holes, about 6 at a time so as to maintain the temperature. While still warm shake them in a paper bag with sugar/cinnamon.