Caramel Dipped Donut Holes Recipes

CARAMEL-DIPPED DONUT HOLES

Steps:

• Cover baking sheet with parchment; spray with cooking spray. Combine nuts and crushed apple chips in small bowl; set aside.
• Microwave caramels and apple juice concentrate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. to 1 min.15 sec. or until caramels are completely melted and sauce is well blended when stirred.
• Dip 1 end of 1 lollipop stick into caramel sauce; then insert dipped end into 1 donut hole. Repeat with additional lollipop sticks and remaining donut holes.
• Spoon caramel sauce over donut holes, 1 at a time, turning to evenly coat all sides of donut hole with caramel sauce. Gently shake off any excess caramel sauce, then dip bottom of donut hole into nut mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• Refrigerate 30 min. or until caramel sauce is firm.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL DOUGHNUT HOLES

Steps:

• Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, buttermilk, butter, and eggs until thoroughly combined. Stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture just until a smooth dough forms.
• On a lightly floured work surface, pat dough flat and lightly flour. Roll out dough to a 1/3-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter (to lift rounds from work surface, use a thin spatula). Reroll and cut scraps.
• Place a caramel in the center of each round, pinch dough closed around it, and gently roll into a smooth ball.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Fill a wide shallow bowl with 1 inch sugar. In a large heavy pot, heat 4 inches oil until it registers 350 degrees on a candy thermometer. In batches of 4, fry doughnuts 5 minutes, turning once with a slotted spoon and adjusting heat as needed. Transfer doughnuts to prepared sheet; let rest 4 minutes. Roll in sugar to coat. Serve immediately.

DOUGHNUT HOLES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a small saucepot set over medium heat, add the sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water and 1/8 teaspoon sea salt and cook until the sugar starts to bubble and turn brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the saucepot from the heat. Add the heavy cream slowly and carefully to the caramel mixture (it will bubble up). When the bubbling slows, stir with a wooden spoon and add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Let cool enough to taste, taste and add more salt if necessary.
• For the doughnuts: Combine the cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, eggs and orange zest, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepot set over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
• Scoop the dough using two spoons to make one tester ball, then carefully drop it in the oil and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly and taste, then add more granulated sugar and orange zest to the dough if desired. One at a time, scoop the remaining dough into balls (6 to 8 total) and carefully drop into the oil. Fry, turning occasionally to ensure all sides cook evenly, until golden brown and floating, about 4 minutes.
• Remove the doughnut holes from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-towel-lined-plate to absorb any excess oil.
• Transfer the doughnut holes to a platter and dust them with confectioners' sugar. Serve with the caramel sauce on the side.

CHOCOLATE DOUGHNUT HOLES

Steps:

• Make the doughnut holes: Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the vanilla and orange zest until light and fluffy, about 2 more minutes. Reduce the speed to low and gradually beat in the flour mixture, alternating with the sour cream, until a sticky dough forms, about 2 minutes. Cover the dough with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 340 degrees F. Meanwhile, roll out the dough until 1/2 inch thick on a floured surface. (The dough will be sticky.) Cut out rounds using a 1-inch-round cookie cutter, dipping the cutter in flour each time. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet.
• Set a rack on another baking sheet. Working in batches, carefully fry the doughnut holes until puffed and browned, 30 seconds per side. Transfer to the rack using a slotted spoon or wire strainer.
• Make the glaze: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan and immediately pour over the chocolate; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth, then whisk in the corn syrup and vanilla. Set aside until cooled and thickened, about 5 minutes. Dip the doughnut holes in the glaze, transfer to the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with nonpareils. Let sit at least 1 hour before serving.