When @leadwithloveclub asked me if I wanted to do a collaboration, I wanted to ask her if she was crazy… How could I say no to that?! For those of you that don’t know, Lead With Love Club is a kingdom-focused, Christ-centered, faith-based aesthetic journalism forum. I am beyond honored that they see my work as collaboration worthy because I’ve been such a fan of their work! So when it came to brainstorming the perfect recipe to emulate my excitement over this collaboration, it’s to no surprise as to how these brioche donuts were born! I mean, who doesn’t love a good fruit and caramel moment? But not just any caramel- this is the thickest, dreamiest, loveliest of caramels that is even easier to make than it is to eat- which is saying a lot.
Spring time is my favorite because the weather is warming up, the sun is starting to shine again, and gatherings are beginning to take commonplace again. Not to mention, the bountiful spring berry and fruit harvests that come with this lush season! This recipe can become one step simpler with using a local preserve or jam as part of the filling, and there are plenty of amazing ones out there! If you haven’t taken a trip to your local farmer’s market, I couldn’t recommend it more. This is the best way to get acclimated with and exposed to the amazing small businesses and artisans in your community! Supporting local is something we can all strive to do more of.
Soft buttery brioche dough is fried to perfection and combined with tart raspberries and creamy sweet dulce de leche for the ultimate ode to spring- in donut form that is. This recipe is perfect for a baking day with a friend or for making for a friend! As delectable as these donuts look they are equally as simple to make. What’s not to love? The key to this recipe is in the brioche donut dough, which is enriched with the ultimate bakers trio: milk, butter butter, and eggs. This creates a light, airy, and fluffy donut that is perfect for filling to the brim with a combination of raspberry preserves and homemade dulce de leche caramel. One of the highlights about this recipe hands down is how incredibly easy this dulce de leche is to make! All you need is one ingredient, a pot or slow cooker, and some simmering water to create this rich, thick, and luscious caramel. Tell me who wouldn‘t love that? This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any table arrangement and is sure to impress a crowd, although it’s simplicity can be our secret. That is for now, until they ask for the recipe!
Brioche Donut Dough:
4 cups bread flour
1 cup warm whole milk
1 package or 7 g dry active yeast
1⁄4 cup cane sugar (you can also use honey or agave) 6 tbsp softened butter
4 whole organic eggs
1 tsp sea salt
Simple Dulce de Leche:
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
* optional: add 1/4 teaspoon of pure sea salt into dulce once fully cooked. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Directions:
Take two cans of sweetened condensed milk and cook in a slow cooker or in a pot covered in water for 8-12 hours over MINIMUM heat. Remove and cool before using. Perfect dulce de leche every time!
The Salted Sicilian Simple Raspberry Preserves
We highly recommend that you try a locally sourced fruit preserve for this recipe, as there are always many incredible options at local farmer’s markets! Here is Kristi’s recipe for simple and quick raspberry preserves to fill your donuts with in place of pre-made preserves.
1 pint organic raspberries
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp cane sugar
Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Add ingredients into a small mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Reserve in the fridge until filling time.
Donut Time:
Dissolve the sugar or honey in. the warm milk thoroughly
Hydrate yeast in the milk for 5-7 minutes until foamy
In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt
Combine whole eggs with yeast/milk mixture thoroughly, mix into flour using your hands or a dough hook attachment on low speed
Scrape down the sides to the bowl
Carry on mixing the dough while slowly adding in bits of butter, emulsifying it into the dough as you mix
Scrape down sides once more and sprinkle a fresh, clean bowl with some more bread flour
Add dough into the floured bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel, allow to rise for 1 hour
Punch down dough lightly and portion into 3 oz dough balls, rise for 30-45 more minutes
Heat any neutral oil in a solid bottomed pot until 300 degrees, fry for 4-5 minutes per side
When cooking your donuts, you want to make sure that both sides are golden but a “donut halo” is left around the center, meaning the white line commonly found surrounding a properly made donut
Allow donuts to cool and fill with your favorite raspberry preserves and top off with dulce de leche until completely filled
Top with a dusting of powdered sugar and enjoy best while fresh!
Be sure to follow @leadwithloveclub & @thesaltedsicilian on Instagram to stay informed & up to date with us!
