Bens Mini Doughnut Bites

Slowly heat the milk in a saucepan until tepid (37ÃÂðC if using a thermometer). Whisk in the butter, caster sugar and the beaten eggs. Place the yeast into a bowl and and a little milk mixture to the yeast Use your hands to form a smooth paste. Transfer the yeast into the saucepan containing the milk mixture, whisking to combine.

Sift the flour and ÃÂý teaspoon of salt into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Gradually pour in the milk mixture, whisking until smooth. Cover the bowl with cling film and set aside in a warm place to prove for approx 1 hour.

Place remaining caster sugar in a bowl.

Pour oil into a saucepan until one-third full. Heat over medium-high heat until 165ÃÂðC.

Spoon donut mixture into 2"/5cm round balls into the hot oil, ensuring you allow room in the pan for the balls to expand. Cook for 2 minutes then turn over, cook for another 2 minutes or until golden and cooked throughout. Remove from oil, drain on paper towel, then once they are cooled slightly, roll them in the sugar until adequately covered.

If you are filling the doughnuts make an incision into the doughnuts and place jam (or other filling) into a small piping bag and attatch a 5mm straight-edged nozzle. Push nozzle into the centre of each donut and pipe enough jam to fill. Alternatively, place the jam, clotted cream and melted chocolate into small dipping pots and serve.

Tip: To melt the chocolate, break into smaller pieces and place into a large bowl. put a couple of inches of water in a pan, boil the water then turn heat down to minimum. Place the bowl over the pan, ensuring the water is not touhing the base of the bowl. The Chocolate should melt after 5-7 minutes, ensure to keep stirring throughout until all lumps have disapeared and you have a lovely smooth texture.