“Where would we be without salt?” – James Beard

Brown Butter Donut Holes

Because there are some mornings that call for donut holes.

Like a morning when friends come over to learn more about coffee knowing that we, or more accurately, my husband, knows a thing or two about it and that we have eight, or so, brewing methods.

Or when the sun appears for the first time since the calendar declared, “it’s SPRING!” And although it feels more like Winter than Spring, deep down you sense it’s coming and begin to arrange the rhubarb baking schedule and direct your thoughts towards asparagus and away from earthy root vegetables.

A morning when the kids play contentedly around you and the google calendar reminds you that you have an entire day with nothing to do but simply be present.

Or one that finds you urging your slow moving 5 year old to hurry up as the clock ticks on seemingly mocking your tardiness and you glance to the counter spying a few leftover donut holes from the day before.

Then there is a morning when you sit alone with your feet perched on a tattered grizzly bear foot rest and the silence is interrupted from the crackling of a fireplace and the soft crashing of rolling waves. When you write at a leisurely pace and linger over cookbooks, dreaming of recipe ideas and menus, realizing that you are doing exactly what you were created for and taking that in as the incredible gift that it is.

These are the mornings for donut holes.

 

Brown Butter Donut Holes

5 Tablespoons butter

1 cup (8 1/2 oz) milk (I use whole)

1 egg

1 1/2 cups (10 oz) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (3 oz) whole wheat flour

2 Tablespoons (1 oz) brown sugar

1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

oil for frying

 

For dipping:

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 

In a small saucepan add the butter. Bring to a boil and cook until the milk solids present in the butter turn a nutty brown color. Carefully swirl the pan so you can periodically check the color of the butter. Immediately take it off the heat when you smell a fragrant nuttiness and the butter is golden.

Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Combine the milk and the egg in a small bowl and whisk to break up the egg. Stir the milk, egg and browned butter into the dry ingredients being careful not to overmix.

Heat 2-3″ of oil in a deep sauce pan. Once the oil has reached 360* carefully drop a tablespoon size mounds of dough into the oil. Fry a few at a time watching the oil temperature making sure it stays around 360*. Fry until deep golden, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully move the donuts around in the oil for even frying.

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the warm donuts to the cinnamon and sugar and roll around until well coated. Serve immediately.

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38 Comments

  1. Posted March 22, 2012 at 2:27 PM | Permalink

    These look fantastic!

  2. Posted March 22, 2012 at 2:45 PM | Permalink

    You had me at brown butter.

  3. Posted March 22, 2012 at 2:59 PM | Permalink

    Life is pretty sweet when we get down to it.

  4. Posted March 22, 2012 at 3:05 PM | Permalink

    Wow, those look amazing. Going to give them a try. Keep up the good work. Lisa Montalva aka http://www.thegourmetmom.com.

  5. Posted March 22, 2012 at 3:19 PM | Permalink

    Yes please!

  6. Posted March 22, 2012 at 4:36 PM | Permalink

    I don’t even like donuts all that much, but these. These I have to have.

  7. Posted March 22, 2012 at 8:01 PM | Permalink

    Such a lovely post to accompany such lovely looking donut holes. I’m sold.

  8. Posted March 22, 2012 at 8:11 PM | Permalink

    Sound delicious! May have to use these this weekend for a brunch with lady friends.

  9. Posted March 22, 2012 at 8:48 PM | Permalink

    LOVE donut holes — need to get the deep-fryer out in the open and get me some of this deliciousness :D

  10. Posted March 23, 2012 at 4:00 AM | Permalink

    I haven’t made donuts or holes in so long I can’t remember. Tomorrow is Saturday and election day in our state. I think that calls for donuts! Wonderful recipe.

  11. Posted March 23, 2012 at 5:08 AM | Permalink

    Dear freaking goodness, these need to be in my life!

  12. Posted March 23, 2012 at 6:30 AM | Permalink

    Donut holes are a thing of beauty, and I’m pretty sure adding browned butter elevates them to the level of freakin’ masterpiece.
    The half-cup of whole wheat flour makes them kinda healthy, right? (Just say yes… I need to justify making these somehow.)

  13. Posted March 23, 2012 at 7:23 AM | Permalink

    These could be dangerous for me! They look so fantastic!

  14. Posted March 23, 2012 at 7:34 AM | Permalink

    oh man, these sound like trouble. i love brown butter, regardless, but in donuts? there goes my skinny jeans :)

  15. Posted March 23, 2012 at 8:01 AM | Permalink

    Yum! I like the sounds of those mornings.

  16. Posted March 23, 2012 at 8:15 AM | Permalink

    I normally try to comment and say something eloquent and sensible but YUMMMMMMMMMMMM! These look amazing :-)

  17. Posted March 23, 2012 at 8:16 AM | Permalink

    OMG I need these in my life NOW!!!!

  18. Posted March 23, 2012 at 9:07 AM | Permalink

    These look like a donut I could actually make!

  19. Posted March 23, 2012 at 11:22 AM | Permalink

    A gluten-free version will be made ASAP :) Lovely post, as always… I love the comment about realizing that thinking/loving/creating food is exactly what you were put on this earth to do. I could not agree with you more because I feel the same way about myself.

  20. Posted March 23, 2012 at 12:12 PM | Permalink

    I’m putting these donut holes on my list of things to make. I love your writing in this post. It is such beautiful prose!

  21. Posted March 23, 2012 at 12:37 PM | Permalink

    They look fabulous. I can’t wait to get into this. You are really good!

  22. Posted March 23, 2012 at 2:06 PM | Permalink

    Love this post, especially the writing. The doughnut holes look delicious. This morning I made pancakes even though there was no time for pancakes. As I pulled out the mixing bowl and whisk I was sure my husband would say not to, but instead we sat down to a pile of flapjacks and time slowed, making the whole morning (and day) better. These are the mornings for special treats like your doughnut holes.

  23. Posted March 23, 2012 at 3:45 PM | Permalink

    Yum! I look at these gorgeous beauties and start to imagine my kitchen filled with the smells and sounds when making this fantastic recipe! Coming up to the cooler months of Autumn and winter, it’d be a sure fire winner here, thanks for sharing!

  24. Posted March 23, 2012 at 10:02 PM | Permalink

    Dangerous yet fantastic…gonna make those!

  25. Posted March 24, 2012 at 5:00 AM | Permalink

    I love your work and photos! It has made me so hungry now!

  26. Posted March 24, 2012 at 11:22 AM | Permalink

    You’re totally killing me. And I love it.

  27. Stephanie
    Posted March 24, 2012 at 5:36 PM | Permalink

    This recipe looks amazing! Will try it soon. My two year old will think he has died and gone to heaven. We only have sweets on special occasions. What kind of oil do you usually fry it in?

  28. Posted March 24, 2012 at 9:45 PM | Permalink

    These are so on our spring break must-make list. You never cease to wow me!

  29. Posted March 24, 2012 at 10:34 PM | Permalink

    Beautifully written. And I now cannot stop thinking about donut holes!

  30. Posted March 25, 2012 at 6:01 AM | Permalink

    HA! I try to tell myself that it’s never the time to make donut holes. But now that I’ve seen these, I think my mind has been changed.

  31. Posted March 25, 2012 at 4:11 PM | Permalink

    Just made these- first doughnuts I’ve ever made. Excellent. Thanks!

  32. Posted March 25, 2012 at 8:59 PM | Permalink

    You describe doughnut hole mornings perfectly. And use brown butter. Swoon.

  33. Posted March 26, 2012 at 8:20 AM | Permalink

    Those look so good! I really can’t wait to make them. I love using brown butter… in anything!

    Kacie

  34. Posted March 26, 2012 at 2:18 PM | Permalink

    Matthew – Thanks so much for coming back and reporting. I LOVE hearing that.

  35. Posted March 26, 2012 at 2:18 PM | Permalink

    Brian – NEVER?! Oh boy. You need more donut holes in your life. :)

  36. Posted April 7, 2012 at 5:53 AM | Permalink

    Second Saturday in a row to make these. I think our family of six has a new tradition. Thank you!

  37. Posted July 6, 2012 at 6:45 AM | Permalink

    Yum! These look amazing!

  38. Christian Rene Friborg
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:43 PM | Permalink

    This looks so delicious I am salivating. Will give this a try!

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