My dad…whom my boys call, Papa, is famous around here for buying us donuts when he comes to town. It’s become a big deal…one that the boys won’t let Papa forget about. (”Hi Papa…did you bring us donuts?…oh, and we’re also glad you’re here…”)
One Saturday morning…I decided to make homemade (and healthier) donuts for the family. I got up early…ground wheat into flour…mixed up the dough, rolled them out, fried them up…and made a special hot fudge sauce to drizzle over them. I put them on a pretty platter…poured glasses of fresh milk…and called the boys down for breakfast.
I cheerfully and excitedly greeted them with flour on my face and my hair all frazzled from all the work of making these fresh off the stove donuts…
And my three year old lit up and said, “Oh!! Did Papa make us DONUTS?!”
Huh. I go to all this trouble…and Papa gets all the credit.
<sigh> 
Well, they liked my donuts just as much Papa’s…and I loved that these were a pretty healthy treat!
(Papa really got a big kick out of that story, of course..)
I hope you’ll get a big kick out of this recipe!
Whole Wheat Cake Donuts (or should I call them, “Papa’s Special”?)!
3 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
½ t. cinnamon
¼ t. salt
¼ t. nutmeg
2/3 cup rapadura (dehydrated cane sugar juice)
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
Oil for frying (I use palm kernel oil or coconut oil)
Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir in eggs, vanilla, milk and melted butter. Knead dough a few minutes to make sure all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
On a floured surface, roll dough to ½ inch thickness. Cut with donut cutter, or biscuit cutter. Heat oil in skillet or electric skillet…enough to cover the bottom of the skillet about ¼ inch. Place donuts into the hot oil to fry for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle a mixture of rapadura and cinnamon, or sprinkle organic powdered sugar over the hot donuts.
Yum! Anytime I want a special breakfast treat for my family…these donuts work for me!
Interested in more healthy treat recipes like this one? Come on over and sign up for my Healthy Treat Recipe E-book Giveaway!! Hurry…I’m drawing my winner tonight!
Angie @ Many Little Blessings says:
They look great! Can you come over and make me some?
March 18th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Mary~4boys4me says:
Mmmmmm…. donuts (said in my best Homer Simpson voice)
March 18th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Sarah says:
These look SO GOOD! I’ve been looking for a whole wheat recipe for donuts, so THANK YOU! Can’t wait to try it!
March 18th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Kirstin says:
My youngest loves donuts and her “Papa” also gets donuts when he comes to visit. I’ll have to try these… how much wheat berries makes a cup of flour? We just purchased a vita mix and I’m so excited to try it on flours, etc..
March 18th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Meshellyn says:
How great, they look delish! Now I need to know more about grinding wheat into flour… can you share some knowledge on this? I’d much prefer whole wheat in our diets and wouldn’t even know where to start… where do you buy grain? Am I sounding like a silly, city girl yet?
March 19th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Melissa Markham says:
These look yummy and if you want to make them even more healthy, consider investing a little money into a donut maker (teflon, no grease or oil required). You can find one at Target for about 15.00. My grandmother had one when I was growing up and we loved her homemade wheat donuts (and buckwheat pancakes).
March 19th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Melissa Markham says:
BTW, I goofed on the Target item, it was for putting out the batter, not for baking the donuts, but I found one on eBay for 19.99 plus 13.95 shipping. That was after a quick search. They resemble a waffle iron and can make six donuts at a time.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Rhen (yestheyareallmine) says:
Those look so good and it is a recipe that I can actually use! So many recipes start with “open a can of”.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:39 am
mama says:
Those look REALLY good!!
March 19th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Kelly says:
Oh, those look so yum! Cute story, too. Now if only I could get my family used to the taste of whole wheat flour . . .
March 19th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Britni says:
I’ve only made homemade donuts once, and they were fabulous. They include mashed potatoes in the recipe, but maybe I’ll try these ones!
March 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Sarah says:
Ok, so I just made this recipe and OH MY! It is tasty!
May I ask what your dough is like when you’re done mixing/kneading? Mine was raw-ther sticky and I’m wondering if I squinched on the flour (I had some “little people” help, so I was kinda distracted). They turned out SO YUMMY! Thanks again for posting the recipe!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Anna says:
Hi! I greatly enjoy your site!! Here recently whenever I want a “good” treat for my family I check your recipes first and you never cease to give me great ideas. However, I don’t only come for the food.
I appreciate your open honesty, love of family and home and encouragement to the others of us out here…
God bless you,
Anna
June 14th, 2008 at 11:23 am