Donut Maker

Here is something I bought that no self-respecting kitchen would ever want to be associated with it, absolutely nobody needs it, I think it’s ugly, but it sure is fun!  And I can only imagine how much fun it would be if there were some small children or grandchildren around.  I bought it at Target a couple of weeks ago for $25.00.

It is a Sunbeam Donut Maker.  And with this shaky beginning, I’m going to attempt to do my first food post.  Bear with me. This isn’t going to be pretty.

The recipes that came with the donut maker weren’t quite what I was looking for.  I thought I could pick up a box of “donut mix” right next to the “pancake mix”.  Didn’t find any.  I also wanted a way I could make myself a couple of donut-like goodies once in a while for breakfast.  Quickly.

CAKE MIX.  The first thing I did was take a regular yellow cake mix, divide the packaged ingredients by the number of eggs (it was 3), so I could do three mini mixes (just remember to cut the additions by thirds and record it with your mix).  So far, so good.  Made ’em.  Ate ’em.

Okay, didn’t really care for the cake-mix donuts.  They tasted just like….CAKE!!!  It would be okay if you wanted some quick little cake-lets for a small dessert, because this Donut Maker cranks out five “donuts” in 5-6 minutes.

MUFFIN MIXES:  SUCCESS!  They make an almost healthy donut (an oxymoron, I know) because you just use a light spray of Pam in the machine, vs. deep frying genuine donuts.  Muffin have a heavier consistency, and are just more donut-like.  I made lemon poppy seed muffin-donuts as well as cinnamon muffin-donuts.  They were both very good.

But my FAVORITE is this Reese’s Puffs Muffin Mix I found at Target.  Chocolate with peanut butter sprinkles you put on top before you bake it.  Pictured above is the half-mixed batter, the cup of sprinkles and the box.

The recipe calls for two eggs, so you could measure out the dry mixes and divide them in two — use one now, save the other for later.  It was a fairly small box, so I decided to make it all up.  I found it works best to fill the donut-shaped recesses about level to the top of the recess.  Because I had to pause to add the sprinkles, the batter was already starting to rise.  (This photo is part of the ugly part of this post…I am definitely NOT a food photographer!)

The muffin mix says it will make 12 muffins, and it made 15 donuts, wasting a little batter.  Cute little donuts about 2 1/2 inches across.  Yes, I measured, being a responsible first-time food blogger!

A couple of notes:

  • Before I bought this novelty appliance, I actually did some research on line.  The consensus was ONLY BUY THE YELLOW SUNBEAM ONE.
  • Kids would love these donuts, they would love watching them being made…but this sucker gets HOT.  Keep the kiddy fingers away from the inner plates.
  • The nonstick surface is excellent; you really don’t even need a spray of Pam, although you should do it any way.  After cooling, it wipes clean with a paper towel.  (The Reese’s was a little more cleanup because of the sprinkled topping — several wipes with a paper towel.)
  • There are so many muffin mixes on the shelf to try.  Of course, you could ice them or dust them with a little powdered sugar.  Just keep in mind that they are a little more tender than a real fried donut so you would need a thin icing.

4 thoughts on “Donut Maker”

  1. Thanks for posting!! I just bought some muffin mixes on clearance at Aldi and I thought to use my donut maker with it…wondered if I could and voila…you answered my question!! Yum.

  2. I like the way you kept it real. 😉 The good, the bad, the not so ugly. Now I want to rush out and buy a donut maker but I’m not going to. DD bought donut pans and a donut cookbook and has been having a blast with it. Her littles love it when they make them. I should invite myself to her house for a donut or 2.

  3. Well, Sue, I think you did a fine job for your first food share! I have heard only good things about the donut maker, just figured it was somethin’ I could do without…but you sure make it sound Yum!
    Hope you are having a great day! hugs, pokey

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