Maple-bacon Doughnut Bites, Maple Old Fashioned, and Happy Place

Ingredients

For the Doughnut Bites:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Maple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled

Instructions

Prepare the Doughnut Batter:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• In a separate bowl, combine the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.

Heat the Oil:

• Pour vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to a depth of about 2 inches.
• Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Fry the Doughnut Bites:

• Using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, drop small balls of dough (about 1 tablespoon each) into the hot oil.
• Fry in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
• Cook the doughnut bites for about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried doughnut bites to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Make the Maple Glaze:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly thick.
• Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.

Glaze and Top the Doughnuts:

• Dip each doughnut bite into the maple glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.
• Place the glazed doughnut bites on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch any drips.
• Immediately sprinkle the tops with crumbled bacon while the glaze is still wet so the bacon adheres.

Serve:

• Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
• Enjoy the Maple-Bacon Doughnut Bites fresh for the best texture and flavor.