3-Ingredient Fauxnuts With Maple Glaze

From the kitchen of Carly

Crispy fried pastry rounds with maple glaze that taste like doughnuts but come together in minutes. Puff pastry does the heavy lifting here, so you get that shatteringly golden exterior and tender crumb without fussing with yeast or dough from scratch.

Prep
n/a
Cook
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Total
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Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 11 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 11/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 12 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1Canola oil (for frying; about 2 quarts)
  • 1A 3" round cutter; 1" round cutter; deep-fry thermometer

Instructions

  1. Fold 1 pastry sheet into thirds lengthwise, then again into thirds crosswise. Using a rolling pin, roll out into a 9x6" rectangle. Fold into thirds again and roll out to a 9x3 1/2" rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet and chill 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, and 1 tsp. water in a small bowl.

  3. Using 3" cutter, punch out 3 rounds from 1 dough strip, then punch out center of each round with 1" cutter. Transfer doughnuts to baking sheet. Gather holes and scraps, re-roll, and punch out 1 more doughnut. Repeat with second strip; you should have 8 doughnuts.

  4. Fit a large heavy pot with thermometer and pour in oil to come 2" up sides of pot. Heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350ºF. Working in 2 batches, fry doughnuts until golden brown, about 4 minute per side. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet and let cool 2–3 minutes. Drizzle with maple glaze and let set before serving.