Flaming Donuts

by Morgan Crowder

Front of House

Photo credit Logan Walker

I never planned to go into hospitality, but my mom’s friend Jocelyn used to talk about this cool-sounding catering company where she worked, and she said they always needed more help. I decided to give it a try. After working just a few events, I was hooked.

What I really love about catering (especially weddings) is that it’s not just about serving great food; it’s all the little things we do to make the experience something special. I’ve heard brides get so excited about the tablescape or the fancy way we folded the napkins. I’ve seen their faces light up when delicious food is presented, beautifully plated and served with a flourish and a smile. Years from now, they probably won’t remember exactly what they ate on their special day, but they’ll remember how they felt.

Probably my favorite way to make a dinner event feel special is when we can make Flaming Donuts. They’re way easy to make, but they never fail to get a huge reaction!

Photo credit Logan Walker

Once, at River Bottoms Ranch, I was making Flaming Donuts for a wedding party that was off the hook. The EDM DJ music was pumping and the crowd was super hyped. The bride and her bridesmaids had all gathered around my station, yelling questions to me over all the noise. “Is this a Utah thing? We’ve never seen it!” I was screaming back my answers and really playing it up. I kept trying to warn the bride that she was getting too close, but she really wanted to get in there and see what I was doing. You can imagine the rest of the story. I’ll just say, there was no permanent scarring, and that was one bride who will probably always remember exactly what dessert she had on her wedding day.

Photo credit Perrywinkle Photography

Flaming Donuts

(makes a dozen)

Ingredients

• 12 glazed donuts (A heavier donut will work, but Krispy Kremes are perfect.)
• Butter (roughly 2 Tbsp per donut)
• alcohol (This process is much easier if you pour the alcohol into a squirt bottle first. Rum, brandy or another sweet liqueur will work if it’s 40-50% alcohol, but don’t use vodka or gin. They will mess up your flavor.)
• toppings (Ice cream or whipped cream are great. Gelato is even better! Berries, chocolate shavings, nuts, crushed cookies or candy bars, coconut, fresh peach slices, or honeycomb all make excellent toppings.)

Directions

1. Make sure that you’ve cleared a safe space around your cooking area before you begin. They’re called Flaming Donuts for a reason!
2. Work in manageable batches, not with all the donuts at once. Not only will this give you more control and make the process safer, but it will give your guests more chances to see the “fireball” that is half the fun of making this dessert!
3. Melt butter in a pan over high heat.
4. Arrange donuts in pan and move them around to soak up some of that delicious butter and caramelization in the pan. Flip them over and give them another 20 seconds.
5. Douse the donuts with a good squirt of alcohol. Then pull the pan back slightly towards you, off the heat. The flame will jump up into the pan once the fumes from the alcohol catch the flame. (Some chefs will tilt the pan slightly towards the fire to catch the flame, but this isn’t necessary and can be a bit risky.)
6. Once the pan catches fire, immediately turn off the heat. You don’t want the sugars in the pan to scorch. Carefully transfer donuts to serving dishes.
7. Top with your gelato or other sweet toppings and serve.

Photo credit Ashlee Brooke