Strawberry Cheesecake Old-fashioned Donuts

Instructions

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Add in the strawberry jam and fresh strawberries, and beat until combined.
• Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the pancake mix and flour until fully incorporated. (The dough will be sticky and pink in color.)
• Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and sprinkle the top with more flour.
• Press out dough until it is about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick.
• With a round cookie cutter, drinking glass, or mason jar lid, cut the dough in as many circles as will fit. In the center of each circle, cut a smaller circle with a cookie cutter or shot glass.
• Remove the cut donuts to another floured surface and gather up excess dough.
• Repeat steps 5 through 7 until all the dough is used up.
• Heat oil in a large pot to 350ºF (180ºC).
• Carefully place a few donuts in the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pot.
• Once the bottom is browned, flip the donut over in the oil and cook the other side.
• Once both sides are browned, remove the donut and place it on a rack to cool.
• For the frosting: beat cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Add powdered sugar and continue to beat until fully incorporated, then add vanilla extract, and finally add milk.
• Dunk the tops of the donuts in the frosting and garnish with slices of fresh strawberries.
• Enjoy!