Salted Caramel Donuts

This is an issue which I sure worries all moms.

One just can not escape the brunt of fast foods nowadays. I cringe every time my son demands and eats those greasy fat filled chemically dosed burgers, pizzas and pastries. How many times can you say no and we have to give in once in a while. The best I can do is to make the healthier versions at home. At least I know that there are no chemicals or preservatives added. Thankfully now my son no longer eats cakes and pastries from the shops. And also pizzas. He prefers homemade pizzas every time. 
Now Doughnuts are another attractive items on the menu. To increase shelf life the doughnuts have to have preservatives. You can not run a business otherwise. Making Doughnuts at home is a cakewalk (pun intended). 

Sonny boy's exams have started and he needs bribes to make him study. Donuts three ways. The classic ringed one at the sides, Caramel filled one with spirals and Donut Burger in the centre. Salted caramel and white chocolate ganache toppings. Happy baking !!

PS : I have added one egg. You can skip that if you wish.

Ingredients

For the Donuts

1 ½ cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

1 ½ tsp dry instant yeast

1 egg

2 tbsp butter, melted

A pinch of salt

Milk to make dough

Mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a bowl. Add the melted butter and beaten egg. Use some milk to make a pliable dough. Remember the dough should not be hard. In fact if it is sticky then that is better. Mix well together. Then turn out the dough on your clean kitchen counter and start kneading till it becomes smooth, silky and glossy. Oil a bowl and put the dough in it. Cover with a clingfilm and leave for 2-3 hours till it doubles up in volume.

Once it has doubled up then make three balls. Since I have done the donuts 3 ways I have divided the dough into three. If you want to make the simple ringed donuts then you done divide the dough.

For ringed donuts you roll out the dough about a quarter inch thick. Use a donut cutter to cut out shapes. Keep the donuts on a plate.

For the caramel filled donuts you again roll out a quarter inch thick and cut out roundels using a round cookie cutter. Again put on a plate.

For the Donut Burger you roll out the dough a ¾ th inch thick. Cut shapes with a round cookie cutter. Put on a plate. Now cover your plates with a kitchen towel and leave for 20 minutes.

Heat oil in a kadhai. Deep fry the donuts. Remember to fry on low heat because you want them to fry from inside too.

For Salted Caramel

1 cup sugar

½ cup cream

¼ cup butter

Take a big pan and put the sugar in it. Splash some water on it and then put on medium flame. After some time the sugar will start turning amber and small bubbles will start appearing around the sides. When all the sugar has turned brown take the pan off the heat. Gently add the butter and milk and mix well. Be very careful as the sugar is very hot. Return the pan to heat for a few minutes. Add a generous amount of salt and mix. Keep aside to cool.

For the white chocolate ganache

100 gms white chocolate, chopped

¼ cup cream

Melt the chocolate on a double boiler and then add the cream. Mix well.

Decorating the donuts

For the ringed donuts you can use your imagination. I have dipped them in caramel and piped some white chocolate ganache on top.

For the caramel filled donuts you have to fill a piping bag with caramel. Use a small pointed tip. Now push the tip inside the donuts and fill in as much caramel as goes inside. Drizzle ganache on top.

For the Donut Burgers you need to slice the donut into half. I have applied two layers of caramel and ganache in between the  burger. Again decorate as you want.