Mini Pumpkin Donuts from HHN 29

One of the things that kept me coming back to suffer through the terror of Halloween Horror Nights during HHN 29 was Merrill's Mini Pumpkin Donuts. These sweet little dough balls were absolutely delicious, and I'm begging Universal to bring them back one more year. Until then, we have the recipe for them, so you can try to make them. Have fun and let me know what you think. 

Ingredients:

• 1  cup sugar
• 4  teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ cup of pumpkin pie spice
• 2 eggs
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups flour (plus a little more if dough is sticky)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Green icing or white icing + green food coloring (from local grocery store for topping)

Directions: 

• In a large bowl mix the sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and nutmeg together.
• Add eggs, milk, and melted butter. Beat well.
• Add 3 cups of the flour, beating until blended. Add one more cup of flour and beat well. The dough should be soft and sticky but firm enough to handle. If you feel it’s necessary, add up to 1/2 cup more flour.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for (at least) one hour.

During your hour break, turn on the Halloween Horror Nights Spotify Playlist and imagine yourself standing in the fog. Now it’s time for the fun part.

• Remove your dough from the fridge and begin heating about 1 inch of oil to 360℉ in a large metal skillet or dutch oven.
• Working half the dough at a time, roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thickness.
• Cut out circles using a mini donut cutter or small biscuit or cookie cutter, really anything that can give you a mini donut shape. 
  • For the center, I actually use the cap off a soda bottle to cut the holes. (Life hack!)
• Gently drop the donuts a little away from you in batches into the hot oil.
• As they begin to puff, flip them over with metal tongs and continue to flip a few more times as they cook. They will take about 2-3 minutes in total and will be a lovely golden brown color all over.
• Remove donuts from the oil and set them on top of paper towels draped over a plate.
• Grab the green icing you purchased from your local grocery store and drizzle over donuts as much as you’d like!
  • If you’re unable to find green icing, you can mix green food coloring in any white frosting. 
• For a little more fun, you can even crush up some cookie crumbles and lay the donuts on top to resemble a spooky little pumpkin patch.