It’s the holiday season and time to make all things “merry and bright.” We will be decking the halls and hanging Christmas stockings from the chimney with care. And Will, our resident “Elf on The Shelf,” will be flying in town for the month, creating a little holiday magic (and mischief) around the Cottage.
There will be crackling fires and evenings spent cuddled under chunky blankets to ward off the winter chill. And if we are lucky we might get a dusting of snow…or more. It’s our first Christmas at Sweet Pond Cottage and time to build memories and holiday traditions, honoring the old and creating new.
Image/ Sweet Pond Cottage
When I was growing up, I remember going to my Grandmother’s house on Christmas morning and opening the screen door to the smells of her “fried hot cakes” mingled with hot chocolate boiling on the stove top. And every time I’ve made them, I still get that nostalgic feeling. It reminds me of holidays and family.
Image/ Sweet Pond Cottage
I wanted to share my version of her recipe and I hope that it becomes part of your holiday tradition, or to simply enjoy all year long. I’ve made some changes over time but it’s still as heartwarmingly delicious as it was when I was little!
Image/ Sweet Pond Cottage
Sweet Pond Cottage Fried Hot Cakes (Donuts)
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pinch of nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup unsalted melted butter
- 1 cup milk (or Buttermilk)
- 4 cups flour (plus a little more if it’s too sticky)
- In a large bowl mix the sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Add eggs, milk, vanilla & melted butter. Beat well until well mixed.
- Add 3 cups of the flour, beating until blended. Add one more cup of flour and mix well. The dough should be soft and sticky but firm enough to handle. If it seems too sticky you can add up to 1/2 cup more flour.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for (at least) one hour or overnight.
- Remove your dough from the fridge and begin heating about 1″ of oil to 350 in a large metal skillet. (I have a gas stove so I keep the setting on a medium-low). And of course, make sure that small children are supervised around the hot oil…
- Working half the dough at a time, roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2″ thickness. Cut out circles using a cookie or donut cutter. A tip I’ve learned over the time is to keep the middle hole small.
- Gently drop the doughnuts in batches into the hot oil. Flip them over as they rise (puff) and turn them a couple more times as they cook. They will take about 2-3 minutes in total. While frying do not wait for them to turn darker than a light brown.
- Remove from the oil and set them on paper towels (which will help remove all the grease).
- You can sprinkle them with powdered sugar, or add any topping of choice, I love using a chocolate or maple glaze.
If you want to use a Maple Glaze (my personal favorite), you want to melt the maple syrup and butter before adding the confectioners’ sugar.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
- optional: 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
Image/ Sweet Pond Cottage
I hope you enjoy this recipe from the Sweet Pond Cottage Kitchen, and if you try it we’d love to hear from you!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year because it’s a time to give thanks and count our blessings. May you have a very happy one…
Thanks for stopping by!
