Donuts

Did you know that November 5 is National Donut Day?

This recipe makes one dozen donuts, and comes from here.
Microwave 1 cup of milk so that it is warm (not hot) add the 5 teaspoons of yeast (2 packets) and a pinch of sugar and stir. Let stand for about 5 minutes. Take one medium sized potato and poke some holes in it with a fork. Put it in the microwave for a few minutes until it is done (soft when you squeeze it). Scoop out a half a cup of potatoes for the recipe, and mash with a fork.


In a bowl combine: 2 cups of all purpose flour, 1/2 cup of the warm mashed potatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of sugar. Add the milk mixture (from above) and 2 Tablespoons of oil. Mix the dough well by hand or in a mixer with a dough hook for 3 minutes. Prepare your kneading surface by spreading a few tablespoons of flour on a smooth surface. Put the dough in the middle of the flour and sprinkle a little flour on top and on your hands. Knead the dough a few times. Once the dough has been kneaded, spread it out to be a half inch thick with your hands or with a rolling pin. Cut doughnuts our with a large and small cookie cutter or a doughnut cutter. Place the donuts on a floured pan to let rise as you get the oil ready. Let them rise for about five minutes, and then begin heating up the oil. Pour about a half inch of vegetable oil into a cast iron pan. An electric fry pan works great also. The oil needs to be about 360 degrees which is about Medium to Medium High. If the oil starts to smoke it is way too hot. Test the oil with some of the scraps of dough and when it is ready cook the donuts until golden brown on each side. Allow the donuts to cool on a rack or on some paper so that the oil soaks off.

We just toss our donuts with cinnamon-sugar mixture like you use on cinnamon toast, but you can also use one of these glazes.

Vanilla Glaze
In a mug, microwave half of cup of milk with a teaspoon of butter (you'll use this later)
In a bowl mix:
1 cup of powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons of the milk mixture
1/4 teaspoon of lemon
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
If you a really thin glaze, just add a little more of the milk mixture.


Chocolate Glaze
Use the milk mixture from above.
In a bowl mix:
1 cup of powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons of Hershey Cocoa
3 Tablespoons of the milk mixture from above.
Put a slightly warm donut face down in the chocolate glaze, turn slightly and remove. Perfect!

Now you are ready to enjoy your dozen donuts.