Sunday, October 31, 2010

For No Mere Mortal Can Resist...

A friend of mine, who is a very talented baker, told me I should try to make homemade donuts. Because I have made a career of avoiding baking and cooking with hot oil; I told her to just open a damn bakery and then we’ll discuss donuts. She muttered something under her breath and a fist fight ensued.


I decided that Halloween morning was the perfect time to try the donut experiment. Why not start AND end the day with treats? That’s what I’m talking about! I gathered my ingredients and necessary equipment, riddled with anxiety over having to deal with hot oil. Well, after all was said and done and I sat down to a plate of warm, chewy donuts; my fears vanished and a monster was born. An exuberant, sugary “when-we-can-do this-again” monster. Here's the recipe I used:

1 8-count package of Pillsbury biscuit dough

Vegetable Oil

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Pour enough oil in saucepan to cover two inches; heat on medium-high. While oil is heating up, lay each biscuit on cookie sheet or large plate. Lightly flatten each one with your hand. Using a 1 inch round cookie cutter, cut a hole in each one. Add 3 or 4 donuts to the oil and cook each side for 1 minute, they will turn golden brown. Remove the donuts from the pan with a slotted spoon and lay on paper towels to absorb the oil. Repeat and cook the remaining donuts and holes. Add the cinnamon sugar to a large bowl or paper bag. Toss the donuts in the mixture and ENJOY. They’re just as fun to make as they are to eat.

Happy Halloween!