Low Carb Doughnut Holes

Low Carb Doughnut Holes (4 carbs for whole recipe)

1 large egg
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons Splenda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
Splenda
cinnamon -- for topping

Taste- and texture-wise, these fall somewhere in between true doughnuts and funnel cakes. They cook very fast, so make sure you have everything on hand!

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a heavy skillet until it's hot enough for frying. While the oil heats, beat the egg lightly with the melted butter, then add the Splenda, protein powder, and vanilla. Whisk together until all the lumps are pretty much broken up, then let it rest a minute or two and whisk a bit more (batter will still have a grainy look to it, but that's fine). Using a large tablespoon or serving spoon, drop the batter by large tablespoonfuls into the hot oil in batches of 4. Fry until bottoms are golden-brown, which will only take a few seconds, then flip. Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle with Splenda and cinnamon to taste and serve hot.

Makes about 8 doughnut holes, servings 2-4.