September 02, 2012

Homemade Old Fashioned Doughnuts (or Donuts)


Yesterday my husband got home from work, took one look at the platter of homemade donuts on the kitchen counter and asked, "And... why did you make donuts?"   Ah, the temptress I apparently am... by accident.  "I had to test out another recipe...."  I offered.  Offered this explanation to the man who has spent the last week doing the intense INSANITY  workout videos.  Ooops.

As I type this mornings post I'm actually finishing off one of the donuts, along with a cup of fresh, hot coffee.  The donuts were made yesterday afternoon and this morning, after sitting all night, the flavor had changed a bit from when they were hot and fresh; and as I bit into it, I was instantly taken back to being 3 years old, visiting my Grandpa's Golden Sun Feed Store, and munching on one of the ever-present donuts they offered to customers.  Yes... Flavor?  Nailed it.  Not quite the texture, but I think I'm close and I can always try again to improve on that by using shortening next time instead of butter.

This is a cinnamon and nutmeg infused fried donut - not exactly the cake donut of my dreams, but very, very close.  Those good old-fashioned cake donuts with just a hint of spice.  Iced in a simple vanilla glaze and sprinkles of your choice, it's a fun breakfast alternative bringing back the days of Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Old Fashioned Doughnuts

1 3/4 c flour
1/2 T baking powder
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt
3 T milk
1/4 c butter
2 eggs
1/3 c sugar
1 t vanilla extract
oil for frying
either cinnamon & sugar mixture for sprinkling or a simple vanilla icing for glazing

In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Set aside.  In a microwave safe bowl place the milk and butter.  Microwave 30 seconds or so until the butter is melted.  

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla and eggs.  Using an electric mixer, beat until thick. Add the milk/butter mixture and stir with a wooden spoon (cease using the mixer).  Add the dry flour mixture and stir with the wooden spoon.  Cover your dough and chill about 2 hours.  The dough will remain a bit sticky.  Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick.  Cut dough with a round cookie cutter followed by cutting a hole from the center with a smaller 1" round cookie cutter - or if you have a doughnut cutter, all the better!  Fry 2-3 doughnuts at a time in hot oil - about 375 degrees.  Fry slow.  If your oil is too hot, they will be dark brown on the outside but still doughy on the inside.  It should take about 3 minutes per doughnut.  Drain on paper towels.  You can shake the warm doughnuts and doughnut holes in a paper bag with a cinnamon and sugar mixture or wait until they cool a bit and mix up a simple glaze using powdered sugar, vanilla, a bit of butter and a tad bit of milk.  Beat smooth and use this to ice your doughnuts before sprinkling with jimmies. 















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Norpro 3168 Donut Maker
Ateco 2-1/2-Inch Stainless Steel Doughnut Cutter
Ateco 3-1/2-Inch Stainless Steel Doughnut Cutter
Ateco 2-1/2" and 3-1/2" Donut Cutter Set








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