Donut Hole Cupcakes.

Cinnamon Puff 'Doughnut Hole' Cupcakes, originally uploaded by miss.mallory.

These cupcakes are not for the faint of heart. Sure, they look pretty innocent, don't they? Trust me, they're not. I realize that the batter is so simple a child could pull it together, and yes, there is no frosting in sight. In theory they do seem fairly innocent. I almost hate to tell you what makes them so, so dangerous because simply reading about these little cakes may cause your arteries to tremble with fear. When you take these gems out of the oven, while they're still warm, you submerge each and every one in a deep bowl full of melted butter. . . then. . . you roll and coat each buttery, soft little cake in cinnamon sugar. Dipping the hot cupcakes in melted butter soaks the cake making it moist for days, and when you roll them in sugar it creates this unbeatable cinnamon sugar crust that sticks perfectly to the outside of each cake, making every bite as good as the last. The reason I've dubbed them 'donut hole' cupcakes is because everyone who ate them made a doughnut reference, aaand, we primarily ate them for breakfast. I suppose if we label something breakfast food, we're more likely to accept it as a good pairing with our morning coffee or tea. Think about it, a muffin is simply a cupcake without the frosting, and cinnamon rolls? Come on, they're hands down dessert. I, however, don't need a breakfast moniker to eat something for breakfast, cupcakes, cold pizza, even leftover bolognese, if it sounds good, I'll eat it, no breakfast labels required. Thomas' sister described it beautifully when she popped the first mini cupcake in her mouth 'it's like the best donut hole, ever'. And although I'm sure the submergence in butter is just as bad as frying, the hassle of placing dough in the hot oil and getting the perfect golden exterior on both sides does not exist. These cakes are fail proof. Bake em up, let them swim in butter, and roll them in sugar. Viola. A simple do it yourself 'donut hole' cupcake. I stacked my batch under a domed lid on the kitchen table and let people snack on them whenever they liked. I'm much like my grandmother, I feel it necessary, as often as possible, to have a treat on hand to feed drop in guests, housemates, and family. Whether you plan to pair them with your morning beverage, or snack on them after a long day, these make a great, simple treat. Frightened arteries be damned!

Cinnamon Puff 'Doughnut Hole' Cupcakes, originally uploaded by miss.mallory.

Cinnamon Sugar Puff 'Donut Hole' Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

pinch of nutmeg

6 Tablespoons room temperature unsalted butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 cold heavy cream

1/4 whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla

For Dipping:

In two bowls:

7 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter

&

1/2 cup sugar + 1 Tablespoon cinnamon mixed well

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and spray mini muffin pan with baking nonstick spray

2. Sift dry ingredients, except for sugar, into a small bowl

3. Mix cream, milk and vanilla in a glass measuring cup

4. In an electric mixer, on medium speed, beat sugar and butter until light and creamy.

appx. 3 minutes

5. Stopping mixer, scrape sides of bowl. On medium speed, add egg, and mix until well incorporated.

6. On low speed, add 1/3 of dry ingredient mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Alternate with milk mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Do not overmix, stop when ingredients are just incorporated and smooth.

7. With melon baller, scoop equal portions into mini muffin tins (about 2/3 full).

8. Bake 10-12 minutes, until cakes are just slightly golden brown.

9. Remove from oven, and allow to cool for about five minutes in the muffin tin.

10. Remove one by one from tin, submerging each cake fully in the butter bowl, then rolling it until completely coated in cinnamon sugar bowl.

11. Place on parchment and allow to cool.

12. Eat & Enjoy!

Cinnamon Puff 'Doughnut Hole' Cupcakes, originally uploaded by miss.mallory.