Apple Cinnamon Bacon Donuts

You can enjoy bacon for breakfast, lunch or dinner and now dessert with these tasty donuts! Don't think you will find them at the local coffee shop, so invite some friends for coffee and enjoy a tasty treat together.

Apple Cinnamon Bacon Donuts

Just as Tim Horton’s is taking away some of their donuts, I think I’m going to start creating some! These combine many of my favourite ingredients including bacon inside and on top of the donuts.

1/2 cup (125 mL) milk

3 tbsp (45 mL) butter

1/3 cup (75 mL) granulated sugar

1/2 cup (125 mL) applesauce

2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla

1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon

1 tbsp (15 mL) traditional active yeast

1/4 cup (60 mL) cooked crumbled bacon

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) all purpose flour (approx)

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

Maple Bacon Glaze:

1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar

2 tbsp (30 mL) pure maple syrup

4 tsp (20 mL) milk

1/4 cup (60 mL) cooked crumbled bacon

In a small saucepan, heat milk, butter and sugar over medium heat until sugar and butter melt. Remove from heat and whisk in applesauce, vanilla and cinnamon. Sprinkle in yeast and let stand for about 10 minutes or until frothy. 

Whisk together flour and salt. Stir flour mixture and bacon into milk mixture to form soft ragged dough. Turn out onto floured surface and knead dough until smooth. Place in oiled boil, cover and let rest for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Punch down dough and roll out to about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thickness. Using a glass or cookie cutter cut out donuts and place on tea towel lined baking sheet. Let rise for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oil to about 350 F (180 C). Once oil is ready, start frying donuts a few at a time, turning over when side is golden (about 2 minutes). Remove with slotted spoon onto paper towel lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.

Maple Bacon Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together icing sugar, maple syrup and milk. Dip each donut top into glaze and set on cooling rack. Sprinkle with bacon and let stand to set before enjoying.

Makes about 1 dozen donuts.