Perfectly Mini Doughnuts

### Instructions for Making Perfectly Mini Doughnuts

#### 1. **Preheat and Prepare Your Equipment**
Preheat your oven to **375°F (190°C)**. Grease your **mini doughnut pan** with a little non-stick spray or butter to ensure your doughnuts come out easily once baked. If you don’t have a mini doughnut pan, you can also use a mini muffin tin as an alternative, though the shape won’t be quite as traditional.

#### 2. **Mix Dry Ingredients**
In a large bowl, whisk together the **flour**, **sugar**, **baking powder**, **baking soda**, **salt**, and **cinnamon** (if using). This will ensure that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.

#### 3. **Combine Wet Ingredients**
In a separate bowl, whisk together the **milk**, **melted butter**, **egg**, and **vanilla extract** until fully combined. This mixture will help bind the dry ingredients together to create the doughnut batter.

#### 4. **Make the Doughnut Batter**
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to dense doughnuts. The batter should be thick but still spoonable.

#### 5. **Fill the Doughnut Pan**
Spoon the doughnut batter into the wells of your mini doughnut pan. You can also use a piping bag or a plastic ziplock bag with the corner cut off for a more precise filling. Fill each well about **3/4 full** to give the doughnuts room to rise and expand as they bake.

#### 6. **Bake the Doughnuts**
Place the doughnut pan in the preheated oven and bake for **8-10 minutes**, or until the doughnuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking around 8 minutes to ensure they don’t overbake.

#### 7. **Cool and Glaze**
Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing them. Once they’re cool enough to handle, gently lift the doughnuts out of the pan and set them on a wire rack to cool completely.

While the doughnuts are cooling, you can make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the **powdered sugar**, **milk**, **vanilla extract**, and a pinch of **salt** until smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken the glaze or more milk to thin it out.

#### 8. **Glaze and Top the Doughnuts**
Dip each mini doughnut into the glaze or drizzle it over the top using a spoon. For extra sweetness, sprinkle with **cinnamon sugar**, **crushed nuts**, **chocolate chips**, or your favorite topping.

#### 9. **Serve and Enjoy**
Once glazed and decorated, your **Perfectly Mini Doughnuts** are ready to serve! Enjoy them fresh out of the oven for the best texture, or store them in an airtight container for a day or two.

### Healthier Modifications for Mini Doughnuts

– **Whole Wheat Flour**: For a slightly healthier option, you can substitute some or all of the all-purpose flour with **whole wheat flour**. This will increase the fiber content, though the doughnuts may be a little denser.
– **Less Sugar**: If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, you can reduce the amount of granulated sugar in the doughnuts or swap it for a healthier alternative, like **coconut sugar** or **Stevia**.
– **Yogurt or Applesauce**: For a lighter doughnut, substitute the butter with **Greek yogurt** or **unsweetened applesauce**. These swaps reduce the fat content while still keeping the doughnuts moist and tender.

### Tips for Perfect Mini Doughnuts

– **Don’t Overmix**: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in dense doughnuts.
– **Use a Mini Doughnut Pan**: A mini doughnut pan will help you get the perfect round shape and ensure even baking. If you don’t have one, a mini muffin pan will work, but the doughnuts will have a more muffin-like shape.
– **Customize with Flavors**: You can easily add different flavorings to the batter, such as **cocoa powder** for chocolate doughnuts, or **pumpkin spice** in the fall for a seasonal twist.
– **Make a Bigger Batch**: If you have a larger crowd, simply double or triple the recipe. These mini doughnuts disappear quickly, and they’re perfect for sharing.

### Conclusion

**Perfectly Mini Doughnuts** are the ultimate treat when you’re craving something sweet, but want a smaller, more manageable portion. Whether for a special occasion, a family breakfast, or just as a fun afternoon snack, these mini doughnuts are a hit. Their soft, tender crumb and golden exterior are a delightful bite-sized indulgence that’s sure to please everyone.

With endless possibilities for toppings, glazes, and flavor variations, these mini doughnuts can be tailored to suit any taste or occasion. The best part is they’re easy to make at home, so you can enjoy fresh, homemade doughnuts anytime you like. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a batch of these **Perfectly Mini Doughnuts**—a treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat!