Blogger friends and I are always sending each other links to recipes found on Pinterest. Sometimes it’s because ‘OMG you need to make this!’ and other times it’s because ‘OMG why would anyone make this?!’ Example: the cake made by layering Twinkies into a pan and covering them with frozen strawberries and Cool Whip. I’m not saying which category that one fell in, but it does bring up a comment frequently heard in foodie circles:
“If you start with a mix or packaged food, it’s not a recipe. It is a creation.”
I get it. I didn’t hand craft a donut dough for these. I started with a can of refrigerated biscuits. Which brings up another comment frequently heard in non-foodie circles:
“Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
My position is firmly on top of the fence. A good 80-90% of what I make is from scratch, but sometimes quick and easy is what we need. And these are easy. Incredibly, beautifully easy and perfect for those Saturday mornings when all you want is a big cup of coffee and to get breakfast on the table in a hurry.
NanaBread’s ‘Not A Recipe’ Donuts:
one can (16.3 ounces) Grands Butter Flaky Biscuits
canola oil for frying
miniature chocolate chips (2 cups, divided)
miniature M&M candies (1 cup)
heavy whipping cream (2 tablespoons)
unsalted butter (1 tablespoon)
Start by heating 2″ of canola oil to 325F in a deep, heavy pot. While your oil is coming to temperature, unwrap your can of biscuits and cut center holes.
Fry until golden brown, turning once. Remove to paper towels and repeat until all donuts are fried. Cronut? We don’t need no stinkin’ cronuts!
Now you could shake a little powdered sugar over these to get them in your pie hole quicker, but I wanted chocolate. Don’t judge. We all have those days.
I put one cup of miniature M&Ms on a saucer and one cup of miniature chocolate chips on another. The remaining cup of chocolate chips went into a bowl with the heavy whipping cream and butter, then into the microwave for 90 seconds. Once melted and whisked, I had a bowl of glossy, gorgeous ganache to dip my golden orbs in. No, not THOSE golden orbs, silly! These.
Plain chocolate glazed are yummy, but chocolate on chocolate is crazy good.
The key is to dip the donut into the ganache, then let it sit for a few minutes. It gives the ganache time to set up a little before dunking them into toppings. It also gives you time to lick the chocolate off your fingers.
What? Where are all the donut holes? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Okay, so I ate the donut holes. Someone had to. Please forgive me blah blah blah, I beg of you. Would it help if I bribed you with a donut?
You’re right. I have no shame.
Inside NanaBread's Head 
Bahaha golden orbs! I will take a “not a recipe” any day over something made with Twinkies. These look like the kind of donuts I can actually accomplish without pulling my hair out on a weekend morning. Thanks for the great shortcut!
Hi, Mads!
The coffee made me do it.
I blame Green Mtn. Coffee Co.
Dark Magic, indeed.
-jeanne
So awesome!! I love this type of “recipe”. I get so much crap (excuse my language ;)) for my strawberry cake being made with a white cake mix…..OH golly people it tastes amazing get over it! This would be very fun to do for a birthday party. Donut Bar! Thanks for sharing! oxox
Sheila!
I make my Strawberry Shortcake with a white cake mix, too! A birthday donut bar would be awesome with these. It takes almost no time to make them, so you can focus on decorating. I want a donut party now!
-jeanne
Donut Bar! Now that’s a brilliant idea, Sheila!
Can you imagine our next OKMH gathering?
Biscuit Bar one morning; Donut Bar the next. :D
Oh LAWDY!! I can’t wait.
No reason why quick and easy can’t rule the day. My eyes glazed over at the glossy ganache. Love the dipping choices too!
Thanks, Brooks!
Ganache is magical, for sure. -j
I see a table with the donuts already made, and the dipping left for each person. Like a fondue party, but with donuts dipped in chocolate, etc. :)
I love the way you write, Jeanne. :)
Thanks so much! I love all this talk of donut parties with dipping stations. So fun!
Betcha’ had time to eat them! ;)
Of course! Duh.
But I had help. (:
They are gorgeous! And yes, you can bribe me with one of those donuts!
Kirsten said you mentioned your mom used to make donuts the same way. Mine, too! These and Southern Maid are the donuts of my childhood! -j
mmmmm, chocolate, mines with nuts please :)
Mmm… nuts & chocolate. Good call!
:)
Your ganache + topping ratio to dough is absolutely perfect. I don’t think you’d hear a single complaint from *anyone* that you served one of these donuts.
As if I’d share. buhahahaha
Yummy.. can not to wait to make these.. it’ll be a huge hit with the family I just know it.. I’ll have to post after I make them (probably tomorrow!!)