Best Basic Doughnuts Recipes

BASIC DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a large, deep heavy pot or an electric fryer heat the oil to 375 degrees.
• In a large bowl, beat together the egg and sugar. Stir in the milk and the shortening. Sift together all of the dry ingredients. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture and stir to combine. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, flatten the dough to 1/2 inch thickness with your fingertips or a rolling pin. Cut out the doughnuts using a doughnut cutter or two sizes of round cookie cutters. Transfer doughnuts to wax paper and allow to dry for 10 minutes. Using a spatula dipped in the hot oil, carefully transfer the doughnuts to the hot oil. Cook 2 - 3 doughnuts at a time, flipping them when they brown on a side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Dust with confectioners' sugar or cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve warm.
• Doughnut holes: Add dough to hot oil by the spoonful and fry until golden.
• Variations: Chocolate doughnuts: Combine the melted shortening with 1 ounce of melted chocolate before adding to batter.
• Glazed doughnuts: Combine 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar with 2 teaspoons hot milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Drizzle over cooled doughnuts.
• Jelly doughnuts: Stir 1/2 cup jelly of choice until smooth. Transfer jelly to a plastic baggie and snip off one corner to squeeze out jelly. Poke doughnut round with a chopstick And squirt in jelly.

BASIC CAKE DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and sugar. Blend on low speed. Add the butter and blend at medium-low speed. The mixture should resemble coarse sand.
• 2. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, 1/4 cup of the milk, yogurt, and vanilla. With the mixer running, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the flour- butter mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 20 seconds. Mix in the remaining milk, a little at a time, until the batter sticks to the sides of the bowl. The batter should be smooth, thick, and spoonable, similar to moist cookie dough. You may not need all of the milk. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
• 3. Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until a deep-fat thermometer registers 360°F.
• 4. For traditional doughnuts, fill a piping bag fitted with a 1/3-inch round tip. Calculate how many 3-inch doughnuts can fry in your pot at one time. Grease a 4-by-4-inch parchment square for each and pipe a 3-inch-diameter ring onto each square. Carefully place one in the oil, parchment side up. Remove the parchment with tongs and repeat with a few more rings, being careful not to overfill the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until light golden brown. For drop doughnuts, just drop tablespoon-size dollops directly into the oil and fry for about 45 seconds per side, or until light golden brown.
• 5. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining batter. Let cool just slightly before glazing and eating.