Caramel Cornbread Doughnuts with Chocolate Chips

I recently learned that cornmeal is an excellent source of Iron, so I made some doughnuts with it. {yeah... true story. haha} The original idea was to make some good ol' cornbread, cut it into squares and top with a bit of real butter and a dollop of wildflower honey. But I can't just leave well enough alone - so I added some brown sugar, caramel sauce and chocolate chips to the batter and poured it into my doughnut pan. Out of the oven popped one of my most favorite culinary creations! I introduce to you Caramel Cornbread Doughnuts with Chocolate Chips...

We ended up enjoying these sweeties for dessert and they were a HIT with the whole family! Mr. Hungry Harp was a bit hesitant about trying a sweet cornbread doughnut but wound up hooked after the first bite. He told me numerous times that they were really good and that he wanted to eat all of them. The kids kept asking for "one more", even after they were all gone. Don't you just love when everybody loves your cookin'??

I wasn't sure if these Caramel Cornbread Doughnuts with Chocolate Chips really needed to be drizzled with additional caramel so I did half with and half without. They tasted great both ways, I preferred the look of the caramel drizzle and added sweetness while Mr. Hungry Harp preferred no drizzle to help avoid getting sticky fingers. {he games on the computer so sticky fingers can't be happening y'all!}

Do you love cornbread, caramel, chocolate and doughnuts? If you answered yes, then you need these Caramel Cornbread Doughnuts with Chocolate Chips in your life. Tonight. They take no time to make and will be the perfect Monday night dessert - I promise. :)

Caramel Cornbread Doughnuts with Chocolate Chips
(PRINTABLE RECIPE)
yields 12 doughnuts
Ingredients
1 cup bread flour
1 cup cornmeal
⅔ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 cup whole milk
1 cup chocolate chips
½ cup caramel sauce {plus more for drizzling}
Directions
1. Heat oven to 400. Grease doughnut pan, I use a Wilton Nonstick Donut Pan
2. Whisk together flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, mix the egg and milk together. Add flour mixture and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and caramel sauce.
4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges of doughnuts turn golden brown.
5. Cool doughnuts on baking rack, drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.