Super Easy Cake Donut Holes

Donut holes are the cutest way to eat donuts. It's true. 

All those teeny tiny little bite sized bits of deliciousness are top of the donut food chain. Our recipe here is for cake donuts - meaning no yeast or rise time is involved. We still fry them for that perfect crunchy-on-the-outside-squishy-on-the-inside texture. I mean... you could bake them... but it's not the same... at all...

You probably have all the ingredients you need in your pantry right now. You could be enjoying these bad boys in under an hour. Your kids will thank you. You hubby will thank you. Your tummy will thank you. 

Super Easy Cake Donut Holes

Ingredients

2 cups flour

3 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

5 tbsp butter, cold

3/4 cup milk

Oil for frying (about 1/2 a liter) 

Topping

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using 2 butter knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk until dough forms. Roll to 1/2 inch thickeness on a lightly floured surface. If dough is really sticky then add flour a tablespoon at a time until you are able to roll out. 

Use a 1 1/2 to 2 inch biscuit or cookie cutter to cut out the circles. 

Reroll dough and cut out more circles. Cover cut circles with a tea towel while you heat your oil in a large pot to 350 degrees.

When oil has reached 350, carefully drop in 5 or 6 donut holes. Cook about 1 minute on each side - until golden brown. Don't crowd the pot too much or you will lower the temperature of your oil too much. A thermometer is the most accurate way to ensure your oil cooking temperature stays at 350. 

Remove the cooked donuts from the oil using a slotted spoon. Place on paper towel to cool. Continue with the rest of the donuts. 

As donuts become cool enough to touch, roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Simply whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and place it in a shallow bowl. Place the coated donuts on paper towel lined cookie sheet until completely cool. (This will drain off any excess oil). 

Serve with caramel dipping sauce, if you want to be a little fancier.

But, of course, these are delicious on their own as well. 

FYI - you can also inject each of the little guys with a little jam or chocolate ganache for another way to enjoy them. You can roll them icing sugar instead of cinnamon sugar too.

So many choices! I believe I got 4 dz donut holes using my 1 3/4 inch cookie cutter. You can also make these into regular sized donuts.... whatever size you want. Donut holes are just cuter and you can eat more. Except for the frying, these are super de super simple. Frying isn't that complicated, it can just be a little scary. Just be safe and go slow!