Best Spiced Doughnut Drops Recipes

SUGAR AND SPICE DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, 1 cup of the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of the apple pie spice in a medium bowl until well mixed. Stir the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon apple pie spice together in a shallow dish. Set aside.
• Whisk together the eggs, melted shortening, lemon zest and 1/2 cup seltzer water in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture. Add the remaining seltzer water, a teaspoon at a time, just until the dough comes together in a soft and shaggy ball.
• Turn the dough out onto a generously-floured cutting board (it will be a bit sticky). Sprinkle the top with flour and pat out until it is about 3/8-inch thick. Cut out as many circles as possible using a 3-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, then cut out doughtnut holes from the center of each with a 1-inch round cutter. Reserve the doughnuts and holes. Gather the scraps together and pat them out again to 3/8-inch thickness. Continue to cut doughnuts and doughnut holes, reworking the scraps, until all the dough is used.
• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until a deep frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the doughnuts and holes until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain and cool slightly. While still warm, roll in the spiced sugar until well coated.

BAKED PUMPKIN SPICE DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray two 6-hole doughnut pans with cooking spray.
• Combine sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking powder for the doughnuts in the bowl of a stand mixer; mix until smooth. Gently stir in 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour until just combined. Divide batter among the 2 doughnut pans, filling each well about 3/4 of the way full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Remove doughnuts from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Gently transfer doughnuts to a wire rack (you can use a butter knife or small rubber spatula to help release them from the pan if needed).
• Combine sugar and pumpkin pie spice for the dusting on a large pie plate or in a resealable plastic bag. Gently coat doughnuts with the sugar mixture while still warm. Do wait until they have firmed up a little and aren't too fragile or they will crack and break. Best served warm.

PUMPKIN DOUGHNUT DROPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar and shortening until blended. Beat in pumpkin, vinegar and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, milk powder, baking powder, salt and spices. Add to egg mixture alternately with soda, beating after each addition. , In a deep cast-iron skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter, a few at a time, into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels. Roll in additional sugar while warm.

CINNAMON-SPICED DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Make the Doughnuts: In a small saucepan, warm the milk slightly with 1 teaspoon sugar. Add the yeast and let sit for 5 minutes to proof.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with the water.
• In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment mix the flour, remaining 1/3 cup sugar, salt, and nutmeg. Add the proofed yeast mixture, beaten egg mixture, and melted butter. Remove the paddle, switch to a dough hook, and mix until well-blended and kneaded, about 15 minutes. Transfer the dough to a large greased mixing bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
• On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thick and transfer to a sheet pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes, allowing the dough to rest.
• Cut dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Line a sheet pan with a buttered sheet of parchment paper. Arrange the dough squares 1/2-inch apart on the sheet pan and cover with another sheet of buttered parchment. Place in a warm place to rise about 30 minutes.
• Make the Coating: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon to coat doughnuts.
• Heat the oil in a large pot to 375 degrees F and fry the doughnuts for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. While doughnuts are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar, to coat.