The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and activity in our family. My daughters tracked out of school a couple of weeks ago, we went on our family beach vacation and my husband and I each had a business trip. All within the last three weeks.
While we were at the beach, we had friends and family visit the beach house while we were there. I made a few fun new recipes to serve when they visited. One of my favorites was this dessert created by Gail Simmons, Top Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine.
The recipe is for Sugared Doughnut Holes with Raspberry Compote and Caramel. It was a huge hit with everyone in the family, so I’ll definitely be making it again! Check it out:
Sugared Doughnut Holes with Raspberry Compote & Caramel Sauce
Serves 4 (makes about 16 doughnuts)
Raspberry Compote Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries, gently rinsed
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/3 cup superfine sugar
Caramel Sauce Ingredients
1 cup sugar
¼ cup water
½ cup heavy cream
Pinch of course salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 vanilla bean, scraped or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Doughnut Holes Ingredients
1 1/4 cup superfine sugar, divided
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup cold water
pinch of kosher salt
1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 medium eggs
3/4 gallon peanut or vegetable oil, for deep-frying
Compote Instructions
Set a medium sauté pan over high heat, add raspberries, water, lemon juice and zest, and sugar. Cook for 10-15 minutes until mixture is reduced and thickened and berries fall apart. If compote gets too thick or starts to burn, add a little water and adjust heat. Remove from heat and allow compote to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature with beignets. Compote can be refrigerated for up to a week if not used immediately.
Caramel Instructions
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, mix together the sugar and water until moistened. Heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil, then stop stirring. Allow to boil vigorously until the liquid turns a deep amber color (be careful as caramel can change from amber to burnt very quickly). Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the cream and add a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture constantly until very smooth, scraping the bottom to ensure there are no lumps. If needed, return the pan to the heat briefly to help smooth it out. Add the butter and vanilla and stir to dissolve completely. Allow to cool for a few minutes before using.
Doughnut Holes Instructions
Pour one cup of superfine sugar in a flat, rimmed dish for coating and set aside. Prepare dough by combining butter, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, salt and water in a medium saucepan and set over high heat. Bring to a boil then remove from heat and dump in the flour all at once. Using a wooden spoon stir well until the mixture comes together as a ball. Add eggs, 1 at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next – the dough should be nice and glossy when finished.
To fry, heat oil in a heavy based pot (like a Dutch oven) to 365 degrees F. Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop, carefully drop a few balls at a time into the oil. Work in batches so as to not overcrowd the pot. Cook until golden and puffy – about 6 minutes. Use a mesh strainer or slotted metal spoon to remove from oil and place directly onto dish of sugar. Roll around to coat evenly. Serve doughnut holes warm with compote and caramel.
OMG my mouth is watering for the donut hole rasperry yummmmmmmmmmmmm
So cool! I like caramel sauce, and Gail Simmons is cool.
Oh those both look SO good…..I am having a doughnut craving now!
These look and sound fantastic! Gonna have to try them!
will have to try…just made me hungry, yummm !!!
as i was reading and looking at this , it was torture in the best way omg this sounds so good and i will be making this i am addicted to any sweet and caramel is my favorite thank you for making me hungry 🙂
Those look beyond sinful! My family will love this recipe!!!
this looks so good…it’s making me hungry…lol
these look amazing!
Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe. I look forward to trying this with my son this weekend.
I never thought to put anything over donut holes before, they are yummy on their own lol However, seeing these recipes makes me want to put the sauces over the donut holes next time I get them or make them. I love raspberry sauce and caramel but I don’t know if I’d like them together lol Thank you for the recipes 🙂
Oh wow, these look amazing and you have a recipe and all. That’s so great. Thank you. Will be trying these without a doubt. I am not a huge fan of caramel, but I am sure it will blend or I can use something else. Thanks.
Man, these look amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Ive never made homemade doughnuts. seeing this made me want to try.
Looks delicious
oh dangerous!!! looks too good!
These look divine ~ totally gonna use these sauces for other things too
OMG! Anything with caramel on it is great. I will have to give these a try!
These look delicious!! I’d especially like to try the Caramel Sauce recipe!
oh man,that caramel sauce pic looks soooo good! saving the recipe for later! thank you!
OMG those looks so yummy!!! I am totally going to have to try making these.
I think I gained 5 lbs. just looking at this. I love doughnuts anyway and thiese look amazing
these
looks soooo good!
These look really good. I want to try them.
Yummers! I love anything with caramel and donut is one of the best “carriers!”
omg my mouth is watery right now..those look so good….i need those in my life right now..lol…
That’s cool you don’t need a deep fryer to make them.
Dishes dirty and waiting to be washed… I have that problem frequently! Good thing my dishwasher can handle it no matter what detergent I use thank goodness. My kids would love those doughnuts!!! Thanks for sharing. I might just have to try making them.
Wow this sounds soo good! Fatening but good!
Those look delicious!
These look amazing! Im not such a good cook but I might have to try this!
mmmm …. yummy! I love donut holes – they pop right into your mouth!
These look delicious!
Those look so yummy! Will definitely have to try those out.
Looks delicious
These look delicious.
Those look amazing!
My kids are always asking to go out for donuts – looks like I need to try making them on my own! What a fun weekend project.
Looks really yummy. I bet my son could make a total mess of eating these. lol
i so want to make these..but it’s been so hot and humid that it just gets me in a lazy mood…lol
Oh, my. These look EVIL! I bet I would eat all of them. 🙂
I need these! We even have raspberries coming on! Can’t wait to try!
These look fantastic!
These look delicious!
I just made another recipe – churro bites – that would go really well with the caramel sauce. And these donut holes would also be good with a great home-made fudge sauce!
This sounds good, thank you for sharing.
OMG !! I just drooled on my keyboard. This looks and sounds amazing . The best part is my daughter is sitting on the sofa while I was viewing your great pictures and said “Hello” what the heck is that. Please let’s make them. lol lol Awesome and thanks so much for sharing.
Carol L
yummy, I love caramel sauce. have never tried making it myself, may have to give this a try.
i love gail simmons and these look wonderful! congratulations on succeeded in such a big undertaking! (it would be too daunting to me!)
looks so yummy! I am going to try this recipe
This recipe is a real treat, in that it is simply special, and also because fresh raspberries and 3/4 gallon of peanut oil are very expensive. But I want to make this!!! It sounds wonderful! One thing I’ve never made are doughnuts (or holes), altho I’ve printed out so many recipes for them! Here comes one more, but this one will be on top of the pile!
These have me craving something sweet! I have no idea what superfine sugar is and I have always been scared to make caramel, but the raspberries are my downfall!