Donut Bites with Jam & Cream

The first time Colin and I visited Dahlia Lounge in Seattle, I fell in love with their donuts, made fresh to order. Quite possibly one of the best desserts of my life.  Just recently I decided I'd like to try and make my own version, to see if I could duplicate the magic. The results are what I deem to be the lightest, airiest, most scrumptious little pillow bites of happiness.  And better yet, the boys agree.  I dare you to try and eat just one.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups cake flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

Directions

	Add ingredients into the bread machine, in the order described in your bread machine manual. Set machine to the dough setting. Once the dough cycle is complete, turn out onto a generously floured surface. pat dough into a rectangle that is approximately 3/4" thick. Cut 3/4" wide strips of dough. Then cut strips into approximately 2.5 - 3"" pieces and place onto floured baking sheets, leaving room for the dough to rise.
	Cover each pan loosely with a dish towel and set in a warm place for the dough to rise for one hour. In the meantime, combine 1 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a paper lunch bag and set aside.
	Prepare cream by combining 8 ounces mascarpone cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and set aside.
	Once dough has risen, fill a saucepan with vegetable oil or shortening and heat over medium-high heat until oil is hot for deep frying. Cook 5-6 donut bites at a time, depending on the size of the pan, turning once the bottoms are golden browned. Once both sides are browned, remove from oil, and drain on paper towels. Drop each batch of Donut Bites into the paper bag and dredge by folding the bag closed and shaking in the Cinnamon/Sugar coating.
	Serve Donut Bites warm with little bowls of the cream and a sour jam of your choice. (I love Sour plum). Dip the donuts into the cream and then into the jam (or use tiny spoons to scoop cream and jam onto the donuts) and bite!

Note

• Please please please don't try and substitute regular flour.  Cake flour is a must.  Trust me, I learned the hard, not so fluffy and wonderful way.
• Since this is a big batch of dough, make sure your bread machine is capable of mixing the ingredients. In my machine, I need to stir everything together with a wooden spoon, in the machine to help it get started.
• I started out thinking donut holes would be perfect for this recipe but learned that the frying results can be inconsistent, due to the thickness of the dough.  By making the thinner dough shapes, you'll experience much better results and no doughy centers.
• Don't overcook the dough.  You don't want the donuts to get too dark on the outside as it makes each bite much less tender.
• I realize that finding mascarpone can be a challenge if you live in a small town.  Don't worry. Simply substitute 1 cup heavy whipping cream for the mascarpone and whip with the vanilla and powdered sugar until stiff.  If you're going to keep the cream on hand for more than one hour, add in 1 teaspoon of honey while whipping, so the cream doesn't separate.  Substituting cream for the mascarpone results in a cream that isn't quite as decadent, but still very tasty.  I do not recommend substituting cream cheese, as it will overpower the flavors in this dessert.
• Makes about 60 bite-sized donuts.

To make dough by hand:

Warm milk and butter in a saucepan until butter is melted.  If milk is hot, let it cool to lukewarm.  Add yeast, sugar, eggs, and salt and whisk until combined.  Add 1 cup of the cake flour and beat well.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until light and bubbly, approximately one hour.  Add remaining 3 cups of cake flour and stir until smooth and combined.  (The dough will be stiff).  Cover and let rise in a warm place again for another half an hour.

Continue recipe by following the directions above, starting at the point the dough is removed from the bread machine.

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Comments

[Lisa Hilderbrand]

I remember having these little fluffs of goodness with you one day at the Dahlia. Very fond memories, indeed. I am not sure I can be trusted to make these myself...I would be tempted to eat ALL 60!
But seriously, thanks for the recipe and all the sacrifices you must have made to 'perfect' it...the taste-testing alone...what a chore! :0)
xxoo,

[Kim-HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Those look soooo yummy :)

[teresa]

Wonderful...wish I wasn't on a diet right now.
=)
But I will be putting this away in my recipe book.
Happy day

[june deese]

yummmm....will have to try these..thanks

[Linda Higgins]

oh my goodness these looks so simple and the grandies will love them! ummmm I will love them, the Huh-honey will love them too! Breakin out the ole bread maker!

[Denise]

Ohhhhh, heavenly. I wonder how many Weight Watcher points they are. hehehe

[michelle]

I have had the Dahlia Lounge donuts~ they bring them out warm in a paper bag and they are divine! I will have to try your receipe. I recently saw one on a blog where you use a mini-muffin pan so I just picked one up at the thrift shop since I didn't have one.
Have a happy weekend!!
~michelle~

[carole]

I haven't been a fan of donuts for a very long time (long story that reaches back into my childhood), but may have to give these a try at some point.

Now to figure out where to find cake flour locally.

[andrie]

I want to taste it...

nice to see you

visit:http://www.sunyigono.com

[DeAnna]

Yummy! What should I do, if I have lost my bread machine manual? I am a bit confused about the order I should put the ingredients in. Any ideas?

[DeAnna]

Oh!! I heart google! I found my manual online! I am making these tonight!! Thanks!

[Maryjane]

Oh Yummy! Thanks for the recipe!!!

[Pam]

You had me at Donut.......

[Jen@thecottagenest]

I love hate you right now. I will for sure make these but it might have to wait until after my current sting with weight watchers and until I move into a house with a real kitchen. I think I'm off yeast til then.

[Hollie eastman]

oh my...you had me at donuts=)!!! Love Hollie Funky Junk

[Lori]

I.

love.

you.

yes, you. (oh, I'm sorry... I was talking to the doughnuts. I didn't see you standing there.)

awkward.

[La.]

Oh my goodness, these look so delicious! Who would want to eat just one????

[Montse]

I mean to ask you what is exactly cake flour? i want to try my hand on these beauties but I have no idea on the type of flour mentioned in teh recipe, could you please explain this humble neophite.
have a great week!

[Monica]

I love donuts, and these look delicious :D

[Tonia]

Oh my, I'm going to make these for a special Valentine's dessert. One question...what type of yeast did you use since you used the bread machine?

Thanks for the great recipe!

[Serena]

Tonia,
I use active dry yeast.
:) Serena

[Serena]

Montse, try googling cake flour and you will find lots of information on cake flour.
Take care,
Serena