Donuts: redux for #SundaySupper

January 6, 2013 · By · 89 Comments

honey donuts with cherry honey beer glaze

Would you believe that I didn’t know what a bucket list was until a few years ago? By a few, I mean six, when the movie Bucket List came out. (I’m still in denial that I graduated from college six years ago). I haven’t actually seen the movie, but I’ve made my share of bucket lists since then. It seems like every book I read on self-improvement, the power of habit or happiness cites studies about how writing things down or saying things out loud makes a person more likely to accomplish something.

In my case, it’s totally true.

A few months back, donuts jumped onto my bucket list. I had been working at a donut and Korean fried chicken eatery all summer (yes, it’s heaven and yes, I was tempted by both every. single. shift.) so I was surrounded by donuts. Amazing donuts with wondrous, creative, playful flavors like lemon blueberry pie and chili mango that brought so much joy to everyone who ate them. [Seriously, I don't know if I've ever seen so many people smile after a first bite!] I wanted in on this joyful donut business. I set out to make strawberry cardamom yogurt donuts, but for as many hours as I stood behind that counter watching the donut robot make magic with cake donut batter, I sadly did not learn to make donuts through osmosis [hey, a girl can dream, right?]. The post I wrote about my attempt proves it.

Though I failed months ago, I am ready to try again. I will not be conquered by a silly donut! My fear of frying will not get the best of me! That’s what I told myself when I saw that this week’s #SundaySupper post was going to be about bucket lists. Donuts have been glowing red on mine since I first donned my donut shop shirt all those months ago and it was about time I crossed them off for good!

honey donuts with cherry honey beer glaze

The inspiration for these donuts comes from Mad Elf, a cherry honey beer that is made only around the holidays by a local brewery here in PA. I love the flavor combination, but it took me all of December to figure out what I wanted to attempt to make with it. These honey donuts are adapted from an Epicurious recipe and are delicious on their own (the donut place I worked at served their fried chicken with a honey-soaked cake donut on the side; they were so good people would come in and ask just to buy the honey donuts sometimes!). But, the combination of cherry and honey in the glaze adds another dimension to these donuts. The flavors are lovely, but my frying skills could use some practice…or maybe I just need to learn patience ;) And speaking of patience, if you’re going to glaze your donuts with two different kinds or colors of glaze, let the first coat dry before you add a second or yours will bleed like mine did… whoops.

(I was not paid to endorse Mad Elf–I just like the product!)

Print
Honey Sour Cream Donuts with Mad Elf (Honey-Cherry Beer) Glaze
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

 

Ingredients
Donuts
  • 1¾ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2½ tablespoon melted unsalted butter, cooled briefly
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • oil, for frying
Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup dried cherries
  • 2 cups flat cherry-honey beer (or cherry beer)
  • 1½ teaspoons light corn syrup

Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk egg and sugar together until thickened, pale and ribbons form (about 3 minutes).
  2. Meanwhile, sift together flour, salt and baking powder.
  3. Stir in honey and vanilla until combined.
  4. Stir in sour cream in two additions, then gently fold dry ingredients into the batter in four additions.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 1 hour.
Make the glaze
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine cherries and beer. Cook on low until cherries reconstitute, about 15-20 minutes. If the liquid gets too low, add ¼ cup of water. Once cherries have plumped up and begin to break down, turn off the heat and blend with an immersion blender, food processor or blender until smooth. Run through a sieve. Allow to cool.
  2. Once cherry/beer syrup has cooled, combine 1½ tablespoons cherry/beer syrup, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1½ teaspoons corn syrup. Stir to combine, making sure to beat out any lumps.
Fry the donuts
  1. In a heavy and deep skillet, pour enough oil to reach a depth of 1½”. Heat the oil to 360-370F. Line a cookie sheet with several layers of paper towels. Place a cooling rack on top of paper towels. This will allow your donuts to drain without sitting in oil.
  2. While the oil heats up, dust your counter with flour. Press the donut dough into a rectangle roughly ⅔” in thickness. With a 2″ donut cutter, cut donut rounds. Gather scraps, re-roll and re-cut donuts. Dough makes approximately 12 donuts.
  3. When oil reaches 360-370F, begin frying donuts, 3 or 4 at a time, depending on the size of your skillet. Fry 1 minute per side, or until it reaches a golden brown. Flip with a spider and fry 1 minute on the remaining side.
  4. Transfer donuts to cooling rack. Repeat with remaining donut & donut hole shapes until all dough is used. Allow donuts to cool.
  5. Dip each donut into the prepared glaze. If desired, top with sprinkles or a criss-cross of simple icing (powdered sugar, corn syrup and water to desired consistency) for color contrast.
  6. Allow to dry. Eat & enjoy!

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This week’s Sunday Supper is all about trying something new, something that’s been on your bucket list but you have yet to tackle. (In my case, “try making donuts” became “successfully make donuts!”). Check out what the rest of the Sunday Supper Gang has on their culinary bucket lists! Join us this Sunday at 7 pm Eastern Time on Twitter as we share our bucket list recipes during our #SundaySupper chat.

 

This Week’s Sunday Supper Recipes:

Sunday Supper Specialty Breads:

Sunday Supper Main Dishes:

Sunday Supper Desserts and Snacks:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Don’t forget to also check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Categories: #SundaySupper, donuts · Tagged: , , , ,
About kellybakes

stress baker. sweet tooth the size of texas. new england transplant livin in philly. bacon lover. dancing queen. former english grad student. pre-school drop-out.

i'm a baker, not a fighter!

  • Kate | Food Babbles

    These donuts sound amazing! Love the cherry and honey together. They look beautiful and make me want to reach it for a taste of that lovely glaze. Mmm!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Have you had Mad Elf before? It’s heavy on the ABV (11%!), but really really delicious and only around right before Christmas. But the nice thing about it is that it reduces to a lovely non-beer tasting syrup! I’m sure you could use cherry juice mixed with honey too!

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  • http://twitter.com/chocolatemoosey Carla

    I love that in your recipe, you sectioned out the steps. I’m so going to steal that when my recipes are long like that. I did it with the ingredient list but never the directions! #nerd

    The idea of pairing cherry and honey is genius. I’m not sure about cherry beer (not a fruit beer person), so I’m already thinking of making your recipe and somehow adapting with cherry juice or something. Hmmm

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      I think it’d work with cherry juice and honey (or a honey beer!), but honestly, you can’t really taste the beer much in these (unlike the stout marshmallows… what is it with me and baking with beer lately?!)

  • http://twitter.com/chocolatemoosey Carla

    PS I just noticed something. When I go to your home page, you have a side bar. However, when I click on your actual individual post, your side disappears. You may want to look into that.

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  • http://twitter.com/SheLikesRuffles Katie C

    Your donuts look pretty amazing to me! I think they sound delish….

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Katie! Drippy, but they were good (I was impatient glazing AND waiting for them to dry before eating…oops.)

  • Paula @ Vintage Kitchen

    Donuts are so on my bucket list. A cherry flavored glaze has to be one of my favorites in a long time. They look scrumptious Kelly!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Paula! I’m happy to taste test any donuts that arise from you crossing items off your bucket list! ;)

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  • http://www.girlichef.com Heather @girlichef.com

    Um..seriously..my mouth is watering hard right now – those look amazing. And that glaze alone! Great job, these looks delicious. And how badly do I wish we had one of those donut and fried Korean chicken eateries in my town? (hint: SO bad)

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      oh man, Heather. hot donuts. sprinkled with indian cinnamon, a combo of orange blossom-cocoa-clove, and vanilla lavendar. Melt-in-your-mouth was not just an expression. It was a caloric (and delicious) reality every shift I worked. I am a sucker for a good hot donut fresh from the fryer! If you’re ever in Philly, I’ll gladly take you!

      • http://www.girlichef.com Heather @girlichef.com

        That is SO ridiculous…my cheeks are tingling in anticipation. I’m holding you to it ;)

  • http://twitter.com/JuanitasCocina Juanita’s Cocina

    I’ll take a dozen! Wait…you are taking orders, right?

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      of course! stop on by and I’ll whip you up a batch! :)

  • http://twitter.com/NicoleHCook Nicole Humphrey Cook

    Oh my goodness, these look fabulous! The glaze is amazing and is calling my name!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Nicole! It was a happy guess that worked out to be pretty tasty!

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  • http://profiles.google.com/lizzy.do Lizzy Do

    Congrats on mastering the donut! Your double glazed version looks delish!!!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Lizzy! It’s forgiving too–hides any donuts that might be a little dark. Perfect for my fear of frying!

  • http://twitter.com/reneedobbs Renee Dobbs

    I’ve made baked donuts but not fried yet. It’s on my to-make list for this year. Yours look wonderful.

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Renee! I think I want to invest in a donut pan to bake them. Much healthier and they always look so pretty on pinterest!

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  • Tara

    Never made donuts so kudos to you for mastering them!!!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Aw, thanks, Tara! If you like donuts, you should give it a try!

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  • http://twitter.com/ssunithi Sunithi Selvaraj, RD

    Neat ! Never made donuts . These look gorgeous :)

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      I’m not the best at frying things, so I might try baking them next time, for comparison sake :)

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  • http://www.orgasmicchef.com/ Maureen | OrgasmicChef

    I haven’t made donuts in ages but I’m so eager to make these!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      ooh! What’s your favorite kind of donut to make, Maureen? (maybe I’ll get some more practice in if I have good inspiration ;)

      • http://www.orgasmicchef.com/ Maureen | OrgasmicChef

        Chocolate glazed cake donut :)

        • http://kellybakes.com kellybakes

          oooh! Cake donuts are my absolute favorite, Maureen. Now I wish I had a chocolate glazed one! Maybe those are next :)

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  • http://twitter.com/VillageGirlBlog Shannon

    Cherry Honey Beer donut glaze?! I may be in love. That sounds utterly wonderful. They looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Shannon! Luckily, I made them in a very sleep-deprived state, so I wanted sleep more than donuts!

  • Ruthy @ omeletta

    Holy freaking God, Kelly- honey-cherry BEER flavored glazed donuts? You are now my Foodie Spirit Guide. I have been plotting my own first donut attempt for weeks, pinning and dreaming, and these look amazing. Your beer inspired desserts are going to be the death of me, I swear.

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      funny story about these… I was choosing between 2 things to post for #SundaySupper and thought that I had picked the other one (It’s a nutty time of year at work so my brain is a little frazzled) and spent all day making it. Only to realize very late that I said I would make donuts. So, it was a late night. But probably for the best because I couldn’t overthink the donuts, which I normally do. I’m still considering investing in a deep fryer, though I hear they’re a pain. Anyway, the beer reduction is great–cooking it down gets rid of the bitterness and hoppy-ness, leaving a richer cherry honey flavor with a little extra something. I may just suck it up and buy a baked donut pan. The donuts always end up so much prettier that way! I can’t wait to see what twist you put on donuts. F’real.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/cindy.kerschner Cindy Kerschner

    I worked in a bakery where donuts were their speciality and these would have been a huge hit!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      That sounds like my kinda place! Where is this amazing bakery? I am seriously considering a donut tour of the US!

  • http://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com/ Stacy

    Well, I never! But I will now! Donuts and fried chicken must be the Korean version of the South’s waffles and fried chicken. And then you add a beer glaze! Genius!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      I think it’s just a Philly thing, but it sure works!! If you’re ever in town, you’ve got to try it, Stacy!

  • Shanna @ pineapple and coconut

    I want some of these. Like now. That beer sounds crazy good and these donuts look amazing. The strawberry cardamom sound really good too.

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      I wish the strawberry cardamom ones had worked. I think the dough was tasty, my frying skills are just lacking. (oh and the fact that I broke a lightbulb and the shards of glass shattered and rained down into the batter the first time) If you’re ever in these parts at Christmas time, you need to snag some Mad Elf–it’s crazy good!

  • Megan Wood

    I’m not much of a donut person but these look incredible!

  • JensFavoriteCookies

    My last attempt at donuts was a complete failure. Maybe it’s time for me to try again! These look great!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Mine too–and I spent my Sundays working right by the donut frier too! I vote you try again :)

  • http://yummysmells.blogspot.com/ Sarah R

    Sour cream donuts!! Yeah!!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      I love a good old fashioned sour cream donut! (well, any donut really, but sour cream is so underappreciated!)

  • http://twitter.com/katyabroad Katy Stewart

    Such a creative glaze! I totally get your fear of frying – that’s what’s put me off attempting donuts so far, but maybe it’s time to face my fear!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      You can do it, Katy!! I struggle with patience, but I think it’s key for frying! Oh and a thermometer…though I seem to keep breaking them. Maybe “not breaking candy thermometers” should be my resolution for 2013!

  • Colleen (Souffle Bombay)

    Y-U-M! Boy do these look good!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Thanks, Colleen!

  • Mom

    Tres bien, mon cherie! Vive la donut!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Baxter, you know I don’t speak SPANISH!!

  • Nancy

    sweet mother of mercy, I love donuts and yours look fah-bu-lous! I would’ve been in heaven working in a fried chicken ‘n donut place (who cares if I reeked of frying oil after my shifts or gained 30 pounds?). Donuts are definitely on my bucket list so kudos to you for making them so beautifully. I love this flavour combination too. Drool…

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      awwww shucks, Nancy! I should have known that I’d be destined to find my way into the world of baking given that my first real job was at Mrs. Fields (where I *did* gain 15 lbs…whoopsie.)

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  • http://twitter.com/HipFoodieMom1 Alice Choi

    omg! you did a honey-cherry beer glaze? Amazing! wow! love it! very inventive!

    • http://kellybakes.com kellybakes

      Thanks, Alice! I lucked out; I had been trying to figure out how to bake with that beer since the beginning of December and I had been wanting to re-try donuts for the longest time. Worked out perfectly!

  • http://twitter.com/LaPhemmePhoodie Wendy Kirby

    Duuuuuuuude these look so good. The glaze sounds amazing.

  • Jennie @themessybakerblog

    Kelly, I so want these! Donuts are my weakness; I adore them. That glaze sounds amazing!

    • http://kellybakes.com kellybakes

      Thanks, Jennie! I grew up only knowing donuts that came from a certain pink and orange chain shop, so I was never a fan. Then I had my first cider donut (and worked at a donut shop) and it was all over from there!

  • http://twitter.com/supperforasteal Lane R

    Wow these donuts sound terrific, but I’m still so confused by the Korean fried chicken and donuts place you worked? What? lol I’ve never heard of such a thing

  • http://twitter.com/NinjaBaking Ninja Baker & Baking

    Congratulations, Kelly. Your donuts look scrumptious. I’d never thought of putting beer into a donut glaze. Very creative =) I love,too, the idea of producing work e.g. donuts which make so many smile on first bite!

  • Taim

    #You are a great baker Kelly. #I love you and miss you. #Love your #1sister

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      #the #feeling #is #mutual. #love #your #1sister

  • http://twitter.com/littleredkitchn Susan P.

    I believe you successfully conquered donuts! These look amazing and I really want to reach through my computer and grab one right now! Also I don’t know if I could stand working at a Korean fried chicken and donut stand. I’d eat everything in sight!

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      I was working a full-time job too and would often ride my bike the 20 minutes to Federal Donuts to pick up lunch for my coworkers. I’d spend the rest of the day smelling like fried chicken, but no one seemed to mind… as a matter of fact, I think my backpack still smells faintly of harissa and za’atar, but I’m not complaining ;)

  • http://twitter.com/Dinnersdishes Dinnersdishesdessert

    Congrats!! You beat the donut! Your recipe sounds great!

  • cupcakekalechip

    These look wonderful! I love the gooey glaze!

  • http://twitter.com/LovelyPantry Lyn

    Oh gosh! Donuts! Totally on my bucket list! And what is this cherry beer you speak of???? These donuts look wonderfully tasty!! You did good!!

  • http://twitter.com/InTheKitchenKP Karen Hartzell

    Sign me up! I love donuts! Someday I will get the nerve up to try making them myself too. Yours look amazing!

  • http://twitter.com/CBnBE Sarah Lee

    mmmmmmmmmmm doughnuts. Channeling my inner Homer………

    • http://kellybakes.com/ kelly

      Completely allowed. This is a donut safe space :)

  • http://rachaelmcleveland.com/ Rachael Cleveland

    Donuts are on my list of things to make this year, and you’ve inspired me! These look oh-so-yummy, and I love the idea of beer at breakfast time. ;)

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