Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (2024)

Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (1)

These delicious bite-sized old-fashioned sugar donut holes remind me of an early morning breakfast at my family’s cottage. There is an old-style grocery store there that makes donuts, fresh; every morning. It was like a tradition to have these little bites of joy with our coffee. This recipe is dedicated to all the past and future trips to north Wisconsin.

Cake donutholes are easier to make than traditional yeast donuts.With this recipe, you won’t have to worry about waiting for the yeast to rise.That’s thanks to baking powder.It provides enough expansion in the dough and works wonders for a thick cake-like donut.

Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (2)

How to make Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes

  • Heat oil in a large dutch oven to 375 degrees F. I use a meat thermometer to gauge temperature.
  • Alternatively, add a small piece of food to hot oil and if it immediately sizzles and rises to the surface of the oil, it should be ready.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Whisk to combine. Pour melted butter over dry ingredients.
  • Mix until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until a thick batter of dough forms.
  • Take 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of dough and form into a small ball.
    Repeat until dough is gone.
  • Carefully drop in 5-6 donut holes into hold oil.
  • Fry, turning once, for three minutes or until golden.
  • Place the fried holes on a cookie sheet set above a plate and allow the oil to drain off.
  • Toss 1 cup sugar in a paper lunch bag.
  • Close bag and shake donut holes in batches of 6 until coated.
  • We love to eat these warm or to rewarm them in a skillet on low.
  • Store in air-tight container until ready to eat.
Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (3)

Donut Hole Variations

There are many different ways to make these donut holes. Here is a list of some suggestions

  • Cinnamon donut holes
  • Glazed donut holes
  • Peanut glazed donut holes
  • Jelly filled donut holes
  • Chocolate donut holes
  • Pistachio donut holes

I know I just hate when my dough doesn’t rise right with yeast and this way, it’s easier to work with!

Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (4)

How to Serve Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes

You can do a number of different things with these donut holes. In my family we enjoy them when they are fresh and warm. However, even if they are not warm you can just throw them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to bring them to the perfect temperature. Some people enjoy them at room temperature too!

These old-fashioned sugar donut holes are easy to make on a cozy weekend in and they are a favorite during the holiday season. I can’t think of a holiday where we don’t make donuts. These are great for special summer vacations and holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and 4th of July.

If you’re not a breakfast person, wait until you try these no-fuss, yeast-free bakery style donuts. You won’t be able to stop at just one!

Benefits of No Yeast Donut Holes

  • No Yeast donuts tend to be denser which makes them ideal for fillings and toppings.
  • No Yeast donut holes come together quickly and do not require a proofing time.
  • No Yeast donuts tend to taste more cake like

What are donut holes?

Donut holes are small, round, bite-sized pieces of fried dough, typically made from the same ingredients as traditional donuts. They are often created by cutting out the center of a larger donut or by forming small balls of dough.

Are donut holes the same as munchkins or timbits?

Yes, donut holes are often referred to by various names depending on the brand or bakery. Munchkins is a term used by Dunkin’, while Timbits is used by Tim Hortons. Despite the different names, they all refer to the same concept: small, round pieces of fried dough.

How should I store leftover donut holes?

Donut holes are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you need to store them for longer, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Just be sure to thaw them at room temperature before reheating or serving.

Can I reheat donut holes?

Yes, you can reheat donut holes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. This will help restore their softness and freshness, especially if they have been stored for a day or two.

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Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (5)

Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes

Favorite Recipe

No-yeast rich cake donut hole with soft crumb texture coated in sugar. These old-fashioned donutholes are easy to make. #donuts #breakfast #cake

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Breakfast & Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 36

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 quart vegetable oil, to fry donuts
  • 1 cup sugar, to coat donuts

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large dutch oven to 375 degrees F. I use a meat thermometer to gauge temperature. Alternatively, add a small piece of food to hot oil and if it immediately sizzles and rises to the surface of the oil, it should be ready.

  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine.

  • Pour melted butter over dry ingredients.

  • Mix until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until a thick batter of dough forms.

  • Take 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of dough and form into a small ball. Repeat until dough is gone.

  • Carefully drop in 5-6 donut holes into hold oil.

  • Fry, turning once, for three minutes or until golden.

  • Place the fried holes on a cookie sheet set above a plate and allow the oil to drain off.

  • Toss 1 cup sugar in a paper lunch bag. Close bag and shake donut holes in batches of 6 until coated.

  • We love to eat these warm or to rewarm them in a skillet on low.

  • Store in air-tight container until ready to eat.

Nutritional information is only an estimate and it’s accuracy is not guaranteed to be exact.

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Updated 5/3/2024

7 Responses

  1. Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (7)
    Thanks for this recipe. My great grandmother used to make donut holes.

    Reply

  2. I followed this recipe exactly and can honestly say it is the best non-yeast donut hole I’ve tried! I did however fry at a lower temperature (around 290-300 degrees) so that the dough wasn’t too crispy or hard. They taste great the next day also when microwaved for 10 seconds. Thank you so much!!

    Reply

  3. Any tips on how to not get the dough so sticky? I had trouble making them into balls as the dough stuck to my fingers, so they all turned out very wonky! Still delicious though.

    Reply

    1. Oil! Keep a dish of vegetable oil or cooking spray on hand. Then, coat your hands in it when needed.

      Reply

  4. Hi, there! I just want to know if I can bake these donut holes in mini muffin pans? Any suggestions about the oven temp. and baking time?
    Thanks in advance! 😊

    Reply

    1. You should be able to. Bake at 350 and check often until they are golden brown.

      Reply

  5. These are my favorite kind of donut – simple flavor, easy to pop one or three into your mouth! I’ll try these out with the kiddos.

    Reply

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Old-Fashioned Sugar Donut Holes | Swanky Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What makes an old fashioned donut old fashioned? ›

It is typically deep-fried, and may be deep fried at a lower temperature compared to other doughnut styles, having a crunchier texture compared to other cake doughnut styles. Frying at a lower temperature contributes to its rough, cracked texture.

What are old fashioned donut holes? ›

Donut holes are small, round, bite-sized pieces of fried dough, typically made from the same ingredients as traditional donuts. They are often created by cutting out the center of a larger donut or by forming small balls of dough.

How much sugar is in one donut hole? ›

Doughnut holes nutrition facts and analysis per 1 doughnut hole (15 g)
Carbohydrates
NutrientAmountDV
Carbohydrate7.43 g3 %
Fiber0.27 g1 %
Sugars3.53 g
1 more row

How do they make holes in donuts? ›

In truth, though, many donuts with holes don't actually have any dough cut out of them to make their shape. Instead, special machines spray dough into a fryer in a circular pattern. The donut holes you buy at the bakery or grocery store are usually made out of dough simply cut into small squares!

What is the best oil for donuts? ›

What kind of oil is best for cooking donuts? The best oil is the one with the least flavour. Vegetable oil and canola oil are both very good in this respect. The most important thing is to use the same oil for the same kinds of foods, since oil readily absorbs flavours and aromas.

What is the best flour for donuts? ›

Use real cake flour – not DIY cake flour!

DIY substitutions don't really cut it, and AP flour will not create doughnuts with that same soft texture. Also, bleached cake flour will work best. Unbleached (like King Arthur Baking) won't absorb as much moisture, and you may end up with doughnuts that crumble while frying.

What is the donut hole method? ›

Most plans with Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) have a coverage gap (called a "donut hole"). This means that after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you have to pay all costs out-of-pocket for your prescriptions up to a yearly limit.

What is a donut without a hole called? ›

Jelly Doughnut

These classic doughnuts are typically round without a hole in the middle, and generally leavened with yeast. The center is stuffed with jelly, jam, or preserves (and sometimes chocolate!), giving you a burst of flavor with each bite.

What is the real name for donut holes? ›

In 1973, Dunkin' Donuts added "Munchkins" to their menu, selling them in the various flavors of their donuts as a way to use up the dough cuttings taken from the center of their ring donut. The name reportedly stems from the miniature "Munchkin" characters from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

Can diabetics eat donut holes? ›

“Patients with reason to be concerned about their blood sugar usually understand that sugary foods like doughnuts are poor choices,” said Dr. Devries. “In an effort to lower their sugar, they may swap a breakfast doughnut for something less sweet, like a bagel.

Are donut holes unhealthy? ›

Yet, overall, they're not considered a good source of healthy nutrients ( 1 ). Instead, they're high in sugar, refined carbs, and fat. What's more, they fall into the category of ultra-processed foods ( 13 ). Ultra-processed foods are defined as foods with many ingredients.

Does Krispy Kreme doughnuts have sugar? ›

American Heart Association experts recommend men shouldn't eat more than 36 grams of added sugar a day and women should limit their sugar consumption to 25 grams. So a single Krispy Kreme doughnut, which has 10 grams of sugar, takes up a good bulk of your recommended daily intake.

What's the difference between donut holes and donuts? ›

Traditionally, doughnut holes are made by frying the dough removed from the center portion of the doughnut. Consequently, they are considerably smaller than a standard doughnut and tend to be spherical. Similar to standard doughnuts, doughnut holes may be topped with confections, such as glaze or powdered sugar.

What is the difference between an old fashioned donut and a cruller? ›

For example, the Old Fashioned Cake Donut has a mild vanilla flavor with a slight nutmeg finish. These donuts take about 12-15 minutes to create from start to finish. A French Cruller* has a soft, airy texture with a pleasant light “egg-like” flavor. The center of the French Cruller is wet with a crunchy exterior.

Why do old-fashioned donuts have sour cream? ›

Sour cream adds a bit of moisture and smoothness to the texture of these bakery staples. Whether glazed, covered in plain sugar or smothered in ganache (our favorite!) these homey donuts are sure win.

What is the difference between the two types of doughnuts? ›

The Obvious Difference

Yeast doughnuts, as the name clearly spells out, are made from dough leavened with yeast (think brioche), whereas cake doughnuts are traditionally made from a kind of cake batter that uses a chemical leavener (i.e. baking powder or baking soda).

What is an old fashioned donut at Dunkin'? ›

Old-Fashioned

It's the donut you order with a cup of coffee or tea and dunk.

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