Donut: · 3 (1/4 ounce / 7g) packages yeast (3/4 oz / 21g total) - I used "Rapid Rise" but traditional is fine too - it just affects the rising times · 1/2 cup (120ml) water (105-115F / 40-46C) · 2 1/4 cups (530ml) milk, scalded, then cooled · 3/4 cup (169g) sugar · 1 1/2 teaspoons salt · 3 eggs · 1/2 cup (113g) shortening · 7 1/2 cups (940g) all-purpose flour · canola oil for frying | Equipment list: Kit Work station Deep fryer Sink Gloves Sani Bio Towel Container for yeast Saucepan Standup mixer Dough hook Spatula Plactic container or bowl Dusting flour Rolling pin Doughnut cutters (any cookie cutter will do) Chopsticks Paper towel Cooling rack Bowl Whisk |
· Proof your yeast by adding it to the warm water. Mix it up and let it rest.
· Scald the milk in your microwave or on top of your stove, and let cool. I learned from a baker that the reason you scald the milk is because regular milk has an enzyme in it that will kill the yeast. If you don't scald it first to kill the enzyme, your donuts won't rise.
· Combine yeast, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 3 cups (375g) flour.
· Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly
· Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
· Carefully , stir in remaining flour until smooth.
· Cover and let rise until double, 30-60 minutes, depending on the yeast you used. I went the full 60,
· After the dough has risen, turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.
· Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin.
· Cut with floured doughnut cutter. Separate donuts and holes, as they take different frying times (but are equally delicious). Save your scraps - they are both great to test your fry time and to snack on while you're making the rest!
· Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.
· Heat your oil to 350F (180C). A thermometer makes this part fool-proof, and you can monitor the heat to make sure it stays in this prime frying range.
· I like to use a scrap of donut first to test different frying times.
· Even after you take the donut out of the oil, the remaining oil on it is hot enough to continue cooking it!
· Carefully place the donuts in the oil. Cook on each side for about one minute. Use chopsticks to flip the donuts and remove them from the oil.
· Place donuts on a rack or paper bags or paper towels to drain.
· Scald the milk in your microwave or on top of your stove, and let cool. I learned from a baker that the reason you scald the milk is because regular milk has an enzyme in it that will kill the yeast. If you don't scald it first to kill the enzyme, your donuts won't rise.
· Combine yeast, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 3 cups (375g) flour.
· Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly
· Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
· Carefully , stir in remaining flour until smooth.
· Cover and let rise until double, 30-60 minutes, depending on the yeast you used. I went the full 60,
· After the dough has risen, turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.
· Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin.
· Cut with floured doughnut cutter. Separate donuts and holes, as they take different frying times (but are equally delicious). Save your scraps - they are both great to test your fry time and to snack on while you're making the rest!
· Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.
· Heat your oil to 350F (180C). A thermometer makes this part fool-proof, and you can monitor the heat to make sure it stays in this prime frying range.
· I like to use a scrap of donut first to test different frying times.
· Even after you take the donut out of the oil, the remaining oil on it is hot enough to continue cooking it!
· Carefully place the donuts in the oil. Cook on each side for about one minute. Use chopsticks to flip the donuts and remove them from the oil.
· Place donuts on a rack or paper bags or paper towels to drain.
Glaze: · 1/2 cup (113g) butter · 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar · 2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla · 6 -9 tablespoons (90-135ml) evaporated milk (can substitute regular milk or water for milder flavor) |
· I like to make up the glaze at this point because it can sit at room temp until the donuts are fried and ready to be dipped.
· Melt the butter and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
· Add milk (or water) until desired consistency is reached.
· Melt the butter and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
· Add milk (or water) until desired consistency is reached.