Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Chocolate and Caramel Doughnut Holes


Bella made these yesterday while I was driving Felix back to school. She was going to do them like we usually do doughnuts, in the cast iron Dutch oven on the stovetop. But the farther away I drove the more the thought of her frying doughnuts without me there got me kind of nervous, so I called. "Don't tip all that hot oil over on yourself" I told her. "And don't trust the candy thermometer. I don't think it's accurate. And if the pan catches on fire turn off the burner and put the lid on. And if you burn yourself badly have Clara call 911!"

I got off the phone. Felix said, "Well, I'd be freaking out."

I called her back. "Why don't you just make them in the electric skillet? Just set the control to the right temperature." Bella sounded relieved that I had reverted to my normal state of not worrying.

They came out really, really fine. There's a caramel candy hiding in each of these. Recipe is from Everyday Foods.

25 comments:

Serena said...

Well, those sound divine.

You don't seem like you're generally a worrier. ;)

Anonymous said...

We made donuts this past weekend too! I use the no-knead yeast recipe from Joy of Cooking, and frost with chocolate. Such a fallish thing to make!

Stephanie said...

These look delicious! I tried to find the recipe at Everyday Foods and have had no luck. Would you mind terribly posting a link to the recipe? You have my mouth watering!

Grace said...

YUM! These look delightful!

Chuck Berwick said...

Anna, I was cracking up because you are so not a worry wart. The donuts look delicious! Love, Sal

Elisabeth Black said...

Caramel inside a chocolate doughnut hole? That's almost not even right.

Kate said...

Pass one over to me. I'll enjoy it with a tall glass of milk. :) I understand your nervousness. My 3 year old has recently taken his culinary education seriously and insists on making his own peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches. I am only allowed to fetch the ingredients and place them within his reach. He must be allowed to fetch the butter knife (in the same drawer as the sharp ones, though they are safely separated) and do all the dipping and spreading himself. I do my best not to hover, however the first time, he did pile the peanutbutter on the bread a good inch and a half thick!!

Polly said...

Those look delicious! And Felix cracks me up!

Well, I wouldn't worry too much either, but at the same time, when I was almost exactly Bella's age, I made doughnuts as a surprise (!) for my mother when she was away. {We'd made them in home ec that day in school and I was inspired.} I actually did set the kitchen on fire, but somehow put it out, and I can't recall now if it involved salt or what. I didn't use the fire extinguisher. New family rule arose: no making doughnuts without explicit maternal consent & direction. Electric skillet=good idea.

Laura {{* *}} said...

We are in a melted caramel season at our house....
Make up a big crock full and store in small containers in the fridge for quick
warming in the microwave.
Quite "by accident" you can find the most interesting things to dip into the lusciousness~
pretzel sticks...fresh pineapple wedges...and of course, apple slices...drizzle warmed caramel over banana cake before baking...hidden caramel in a pumpkin muffin.
O the endless possibilities!
{{* *}}

annamaria potamiti said...

Hi Anna, these look absolutely 'deliscrumptious'!(can you tell I 've been reading too much R.Dahl with my little one?)
I wanted to mention that I got 'Hold on to your kids' from the library after I saw it mentioned here, and I am delighted-its such an insightful and important book-
Thanks for sharing about this-
Annamaria

Anonymous said...

YUM! And what a good mom to worry. Should my children have the cooking talent of your girls, I don't think I'd ever forgot my friend burning herself frying taco shells at age 9! I wish I had some of these gorgeous treats for my breakfast tomorrow!

In Christ,
Dawn

Kati said...

I saw that recipe in Everyday Food. I want to try them soon.

Looks like you did a great job, Bella!

~Kati
http://katislittlecorner.blogspot.com/

Julian said...

wow. I am speechless. To come home to thoes? Lucky you! Great job Bella!
Christina

LukesLove said...

I couldn't find the recipe either - please post! They look and sound too good to pass up!

Anonymous said...

The recipe is in the October issue of Everyday Food.

Anonymous said...

Oops - that last comment from Anonymous was I - Buttercup - not Anna.

Lisateresa said...

Gee, an electric skillet sounds like a handy thing to have around. And a friend was telling me the other day I should get a George Foreman electric grill. Hmmm.

Diane Shiffer said...

Yipes... I don't even let my kids in the kitchen when I'm doing any deep frying! I think allowing your 12yo to deep fry while you're not even home definitely qualifies as *NOT* a worry wart. lol

Anonymous said...

It would be nice if you could include the recipes in your posts.

Anna said...

When recipes are available, I post them. It's actually a copyright violation to take someone else's material and post it on the internet without their permission.

Everyday Foods recipes generally end up on the Martha Stewart Living website.

Otherwise, use any chocolate doughnut recipe, cut out the circles, and wrap each around a purchased caramel candy, pinching the dough closed before frying.

Heather Anne said...

I see the enclosed style deep fat fryers at my thrift store all the time - they look like they have never been used! My mom bought one for us about 18 years ago and it was well used for the first few years of pastoral ministry! Our youth group had to be fed, you know, and there is nothing cheaper or more satisfying than a fresh batch of donuts. Or two. I miss my donut making days - I should dig out the fryer and surprise the children!

Lisateresa said...

Thanks for the tip, Heather!

Martha A. said...

I would be scared!!! I am scared to do it myself and I am 30!!!

farrah said...

The recipe is in the OCT issue of Everyday Foods on pg 118.

fourkid said...

To test the accuracy of a thermometer - as long as it has freezing (32 degrees) on there. Fill a bowl with ice. Add water. Let it sit for a few minutes and get a nice cold mix of ice and water (you must use both). Then set the thermometer in the bowl. If accurate, it will read 32 degrees. If it reads differently, just adjust the numbers in your head as needed each time you use it.
Blessings,
Patti

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