Doughnut Holes Sweet Treat (Printable)

Bite-sized fried dough balls with a crisp exterior and tender interior, coated in sugar or cinnamon.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 2/3 cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Frying

10 - 4 cups vegetable oil

→ Coating Options

11 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
12 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk the whole milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
04 - Preheat vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
05 - Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, carefully drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough into the hot oil in batches, preventing overcrowding.
06 - Fry doughnut holes for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly golden brown and fully cooked.
07 - Remove doughnut holes with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.
08 - While still warm, roll the doughnut holes in powdered sugar or a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon.
09 - Serve immediately to enjoy optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They fry up in minutes and disappear even faster, perfect when you need something sweet right now.
  • The dough is forgiving and doesn't need any rising time or fussy shaping.
  • You can coat them however you like, so everyone gets their favorite version.
02 -
  • Don't skip the thermometer, guessing the oil temperature is how I burned my first three batches.
  • Drop the dough gently into the oil or it splashes everywhere and makes a mess you'll regret.
  • Fry only a few at a time, overcrowding cools the oil and they turn out greasy instead of crisp.
03 -
  • Add a pinch of cardamom to the dough for a subtle, unexpected warmth that people will ask about.
  • Use a candy thermometer clipped to the side of the pot so you don't have to keep checking the oil temperature.
  • Fry a small test piece first to make sure the oil is the right temperature and the dough is seasoned how you like.
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