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I’m so in love with lemon this time of year, and these easy lemon donut holes are a perfect way to satisfy my cravings!
Okay, so before we start to talk about these amazing and super easy (like, make in just a few minutes) lemon donut holes, I want to tell you about the travesty that happened to me this past weekend.
I’m out of perfume, so I headed to the mall to get more. I’ve been wearing Dream by Gap since I was 16. It’s been my signature scent for 20 years, except for the short period of time I flirted with something pink and fruity smelling from Victoria’s Secret. Anyway, I couldn’t find it, so I asked the sales lady where it was.
It’s been discontinued. DISCONTINUED.
Yeah. I know. Total travesty, right? Like, I gasped so loud I scared Jordan (not joking – it was the ugly gasp; hand-over-mouth and everything). It’s…like…I don’t even know where to go from here. Except maybe to Amazon to buy up the rest of their stock. I mean…perfume shopping? At 36? Really? Do people do that? I’m lost.
Also? #firstworldproblems
Anyway, let’s talk easy lemon donut holes!
My mom’s neighbor has a Meyer lemon tree. My mother-in-law has a lemon tree. I have lemons pretty much anytime I get to see either side of the family. (Are you jealous?) After the richness of the holidays, I’ve been totally craving lemon. This is the first (of a few) recipes I’m sharing with you!
And this is, by far, the easiest. It starts with Pillsbury Grands biscuits. Cut them in quarters, fry them into donut holes. {Or is it doughnut holes? I don’t know, I like donut better.} Then they are covered in one of two lemon toppings: Lemon Sugar or Lemon Glaze.
The Lemon Sugar is like a cinnamon dusting, without the cinnamon. There’s zest in the sugar and the flavors meld so well together. The Lemon Glaze is made with powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice (if you can use Meyers, do it, they’re so good!). Make a batch of one or the other or both and you have a sweet and tart breakfast or dessert!
These would be good with ice cream. Or white chocolate sauce. Or just because your perfume is discontinued and you’re depressed and need a donut hole.
My mouth is watering thinking of that glaze. I may go make some and drink it with a straw! 🙂
Easy Lemon Donut Holes {two ways}
Ingredients
For the Donut Holes:
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Biscuits 8 biscuits
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Lemon Sugar Topping:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest from 1-2 lemons, depending on size
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2-3 lemons, depending on size
Instructions
- Place about 4 cups of vegetable oil in a heavy bottom pot and heat until it reaches 350°F. I like to leave my candy thermometer in the pot during frying so I can regulate the heat up or down if it gets to hot or cold. A heavy bottomed pot is best for frying, it’s easier to regulate the heat that way than with a thinner pot. (I use a Le Cruset soup pot.)
- Cut each biscuit into four pieces and roll into balls between the palms of your hands. Fry in batches of 5-6 depending on the size of your pot. Cook 2-3 minutes until they are a deep golden, flipping halfway. Remove from oil using a slotted spoon and place the cooked donut holes on a cookie sheet topped with two layers of paper towels.
- Make the Lemon Sugar Topping: stir together the lemon zest and sugar in a bowl. Cool donut holes until you can touch them before rolling in sugar.
- Make the Lemon Glaze: whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice in a second small bowl. Let donut holes cool completely, then dip in glaze.
- Makes enough sugar topping for 16 donut holes and enough glaze for 16 donut holes. Double if you wish to do all one or the other.
Click HERE for more Pillsbury Dough Recipes!
Click here to see the complete list of Lemon Recipes!
Caramel Banana Pecan Doughnuts
Sweets from friends:
Buttermilk Orange Donut Muffins by Our Best Bites
Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake by Two In the Kitchen
Caramel Glazed Turtle Donuts by Something Swanky
Last Updated on May 13, 2020
It seems like the company that made the perfume, should have given you a call… I mean you were probably their most loyal customer. How rude! These lemon donuts holes look amazing 🙂 I will need about 10 after I drive to work today in the after effects of our winter storm.
I can’t imagine the snow and the after effects! Stay safe Laura!
I would totally stock up if I were you 🙂 These donut holes sound delicious!
Thanks Jennifer!
Oh my gosh Dorothy, that’s awful!! I’m a huge creature of habit too, so I can only imagine how hard that news was for you to hear. It’s like Chicken Little running around yelling, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling!” only is actually has for you. I’m so sorry! Lemon donut holes definitely sound like a great pick-me-up. Anything lemony, really. It’s such a bright and cheerful flavor, and when the treats are that easy to prepare, it’s a double dose of happiness!
Luckily I found it on amazon and bought myself some time to find a new scent! 🙂 Thanks Amy!
I love that about Amazon — they always have extras even after stores sell out!
Hahaa… you make me laugh Dorothy! First world problems indeed (though I definitely understand, I was using the same Yves St Laurent eyeshadow for years and they discontinued it, I was irrationally annoyed!). Glad that you managed to get a stock of the perfume on Amazon. Back to this donut goodness…. YUM! The first picture alone sold the recipe to me. Love the combination of lemon and sugar glaze, I use it on cakes all the time. Definitely going to try these! xx
mmmmm on cake! Sounds fabulous! Thanks for reading!
I love the fresh flavor of lemon. I know it is a winter citrus, but it reminds me of spring!! I am still all in for winter, but these sounds and look awesome!
Yes! Totally, I think that’s why I crave it in January!
These look delightful! After lots of chocolate desserts over the holidays, lemon will be a refreshing change of flavor.
It totally is! Thank you!
Do you know that I got a deep fryer for Christmas? Yes, I did. Can you guess what I’m going to make this weekend? Be still my ever-lovin-lemon-heart.
oooooh! I bought one on black Friday but couldn’t get it to work. Enjoy! 🙂
I’m always in love with lemon treats and these donut holes take the cake! PERFECT, Dorothy! Pinned and sharing on FB and Twitter. Have a lovely week. 🙂
Thank you so much for the pin!
Oh my gosh, I am totally jealous! I never have enough lemons in my apartment. These look so good!!
Thanks Kristi!
I love how easy these are! And with lemon, I always feel like it’s ok to eat more, because it tastes so fresh. That makes sense, right?
Yes! EXACTLY! 🙂
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