Best Ukrainian Pampushky Christmas Doughnuts Recipes

Steps:

• Grease a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Dissolve granulated sugar in warm water,
• Then add yeast and DO NOT STIR it yet.
• Let stand for 10 minutes or until it begins to bubble. Stir yeast mixture.
• In a separate bowl, beat eggs with a whisk and gradually add in the salt and 3/4 cup vegetable oil while continuing to beat. Stop when it becomes lighter in color (about 2 minutes).
• Then add milk.
• Add yeast mixture.
• Gradually add flour to mixture. Mix into a smooth and soft dough, ensuring it does not become tough. You want to add a little more flour (tbsp at a time) until the dough doesn't stick to your hands anymore.
• This is what it should be like
• Move onto a floured board and knead for 15 minutes. *** if you have a dough hook with your stand mixer - use it and save yourself some work! This is what it's for. Just make sure you grease the bowl and the hook first.
• Place in a greased bowl and allow to rise in a warm, draft free place.
• Let it rise until the dough has doubled in size- this will take about 45 minutes.
• Punch down to original size.
• Then roll out to about 1/2 an inch in thickness and cut into donuts with a mini cutter.
• Place donuts and donut holes on a parchment covered cookie sheet,
• Cover with a clean tea towel and let them rise again for 40-45 minutes.
• Air fryer method (shown): spray air fryer and donuts and holes with oil. Cook on 350 F/ 175 degrees C for 3 minutes.If using deep fryer method: Melt the shortening in your deep fryer until it's a the right level. Then set the deep fryer to 375 degrees F. (****see Recipe Notes at end for stove top cooking if you do not have a deep fryer, although I don't recommend this, as it's not nearly as safe)Deep fryer: When deep fryer is ready, add 3 -5 doughnuts and a few doughnut holes in basket and lower into oil, place lid on and cook for 1 minute approximately. Then lift out basket and turn over with tongs. Repeat.
• When ready (will be a golden brown) remove onto paper towel lined plate or cookie sheet.
• Topping: Mix 1 cup of white granulated sugar and 4 tsp cinnamon together in a shallow bowl. While doughnuts are still warm, roll them in sugar cinnamon mixture.
• Place on parchment lined baking sheet.
• Serve warm or cold. Cooked doughnuts can also be frozen in a ziplock freezer bag for up to 6 months.

UKRAINIAN PAMPUSHKY CHRISTMAS DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• POPPY SEED FILLING: The night before, cover poppy seeds with boiling water and let them soak until the following morning, or wash and parboil for 30 minutes just before grinding. Drain thoroughly and grind in a poppy-seed grinder, or put them through the finest blade of your meat chopper 3 or 4 times. I use a coffee grinder for this. (or buy ground poppy seeds if there is a store near you that prepares them, but be sure they are not rancid.).
• Cream butter with honey. When well blended, combine with cream, poppy seeds and remaining filling ingredients. (Some people prefer to omit the butter and to cook the ground poppy seeds with 2 cups milk and the honey until the mixture is thick. The other ingredients are then stirred in.).
• FOR THE DOUGHNUTS: Sprinkle yeast into warm water, add 1 tablespoon sugar, cover lightly and set aside in a warm place for 5 to 10 minutes, or until mixture. Scald milk and stir in butter, salt and sugar. When butter melts, cool milk to lukewarm. Combine with beaten eggs and yolks and yeast mixture, vanilla and lemon rind. Gradually beat in enough flour to make a medium firm dough that is still pliable. Knead until smooth and elastic-about 10 minutes. Place dough in a floured bowl, dust with flour and set to rise in a draft free corner until double in bulk-about 1 1/2 hours. Punch dough down and let it rise again until doubled.
• Turn dough onto a floured board and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into circles with a 3-inch round cookie cutter. Place a teaspoonful of filling on half of the circles. Top with unfilled circles and pinch edges closed, using a little cold water to seal them. Let rise, uncovered, on floured board until doubled in bulk.
• Fry a few at a time in lard heated to 375°F Turn once so both sides become golden brown. Allow about 6 minutes for frying each batch. Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Makes about 2 dozen doughnuts.
• Visions of SugarPlums.