Ingredients

• 2 cups egg yolks
• 2 cups key lime juice
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 3 1/2 ounces sugar, plus more for coating
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• Oil, for frying

Instructions

1. For the key lime curd: In the bowl of a double boiler, mix together the yolks, lime juice, sugar and butter. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 183 degrees F. Cool the bowl in an ice bath and then transfer the curd to a squeeze bottle or pastry bag.
2. For the dough: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and blend. In a medium bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl mix the vanilla extract and the eggs. With the mixer running, alternately add the dry and wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
3. In a frying pan pour enough oil to cover the doughnut bites. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
4. Scoop 1 ounce of the doughnut batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Repeat for the remaining dough batter. Scoop out the doughnut balls with a slotted spoon, then toss in some sugar and fill the centers with some key lime curd.