Yeasted Doughnuts Food

YEAST DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Make the doughnuts: Put 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F) in a stand mixer bowl. Add a pinch of granulated sugar, then sprinkle the yeast on top; let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the milk, eggs, 4 tablespoons melted butter, the lemon zest, salt and vanilla in a separate bowl. Add to the yeast mixture and whisk to combine. Using the dough hook on medium speed, gradually beat in the flour, scraping down the bowl as needed. Continue beating until the dough gathers around the hook, about 3 minutes. Turn out onto a clean surface and shape into a ball.
• Brush a large bowl with butter. Add the dough, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. (If making the dough ahead, punch it down, wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight; bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface; roll out into a 12-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick. Cut out 12 circles with a floured 3-inch-round cookie cutter, then cut out the centers with a 3/4-inch-round cutter. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. Arrange the doughnuts and doughnut holes on the baking sheet, leaving space between each; cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until slightly puffed, about 30 minutes.
• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 340 degrees F. Use scissors to cut the parchment around each doughnut, leaving a 1-inch border. Carefully invert 2 doughnuts into the oil and peel off the parchment with tongs. Fry until golden, 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes per side. (Fry the doughnut holes 1 minute per side.) Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Bring the oil back to 340 degrees F and repeat with the remaining doughnuts.
• Make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, milk, lemon zest, vanilla and salt in a bowl. Dip the warm doughnuts in the glaze.

PERFECT YEAST DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Place the water, buttermilk, beaten egg and melted butter in the bread machine pan, then add the dry ingredients which were weighed using a scale (it's so important), except for the yeast. Make a small indentation in the dry ingredients, then add the yeast. Set the bread machine on the 'dough' setting.
• Place the dry ingredients in a bowl. Put 6 Tbsp of lukewarm water in a cup and sprinkle the yeast on top, set aside for about 5 minutes, until the yeast begins to react (you can add a pinch of sugar to help it). Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and yeast mixture. If using a stand mixer, run with the dough hook until a dough forms then continue for about 5 minutes. By hand, knead for about 10 minutes. Cover and set aside until at least doubled in size (usually 1 to 2 hours, depending on the freshness of the yeast, temperature of the water and ambient temperature).
• Once the dough has doubled, place it on a floured surface and knead lightly. Divide it in half, keeping half the dough covered, so it doesn't form a skin. With a rolling pin, roll out half of the dough to about 1/2″ thickness. Cut with a round, sharp cookie cutter (about 3″ diameter) then make the holes with a smaller cookie cutter (about 1″ diameter), saving the holes. Or splurge (haha) and buy this doughnut cutter and save yourself a lot of trouble!
• Place each doughnut on a piece of parchment or waxed paper, then place on a cookie sheet. Put the tray in the oven (turn it on for 1 minute, SET A TIMER, then turn it off again, just to make it barely warm).
• Next, boil some water and pour it into a measuring jug. Place the jug of water in the oven with the tray of doughnuts (this will create steam will keep a skin from forming). With the remaining dough, divide into quarters, then divide each piece in half to make 8 equal amounts. Roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball, and place on parchment or waxed paper pieces and place on a cookie sheet; place in the oven with the other doughnuts to rise until doubled in size.
• Heat the oil to about 350ºF (180º). If you don't have a thermometer, test the oil with a doughnut hole: if it doesn't start frying immediately, the oil is too cold, if the hole turns brown right away, the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
• Drop the doughnuts into the hot oil using the paper to carefully lower them into the oil. Turn them over as soon as they become golden brown on the underside, and remove them and place on a paper towel lined platter once they are ready.
• When the doughnuts have cooled, roll them in sugar to coat evenly. If you choose to fill the large doughnuts, push a skewer into the center of the doughnut to make a hole, then place some room temperature jam, or slightly warmed Nutella into a piping bag and pipe the filling into the doughnut. Using an ISI whipper, pipe fresh cream into a doughnut cut in half (add some jam first if you like).

GLAZED YEAST DONUTS

Steps:

• Lemon Confectioners'-Sugar Glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar and salt. Whisk in juice until mixture is smooth and thick, and has the texture of pourable honey. Glaze can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days; stir until smooth before using. (Makes 1 1/2 cups.)
• Donuts: Whisk together flours. Combine water and milk in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment, then sprinkle yeast over top. Stir in 1 cup flour mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm place until bubbling and doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Add egg and yolk, granulated sugar, salt, and remaining flour mixture. Beat on medium speed 3 minutes. Continue beating while adding butter, a few pieces at a time, beating to combine after each addition. When all butter has been added, keep beating until a shiny, sticky dough forms around hook, about 4 minutes more. Scrape down sides of bowl.
• Cover dough with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until almost doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to 24.
• Cut out 24 three-inch squares of parchment. Spray two baking sheets with oil; arrange parchment squares in a single layer on them. Spray parchment. Transfer dough to a lightly floured baking sheet; pat out 1/2 inch thick. Using a floured 2 1/2-inch donut cutter, cut out donuts (or use a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out rounds, then cut out holes with a 1-inch round cutter). Transfer to parchment squares. Drape with oil-sprayed plastic wrap and let stand in a warm spot until slightly more than doubled in bulk and very soft, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, pour oil into a large, deep, heavy pot, such as a Dutch oven, until it reaches 2 inches up side, leaving about 2 1/2 inches headroom. Clip a deep- fry thermometer to pot and heat oil over medium to 350 degrees to 360 degrees. Working in batches of 3 so as not to crowd pot, carefully use parchment to transfer donuts to hot oil and cook, flipping a few times, until puffed and golden brown all over, 2 to 3 minutes total for donuts (1 1/2 to 2 minutes for holes), maintaining oil temperature between 350 degrees and 360 degrees at all times. Transfer donuts to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet; let cool 10 minutes.
• While still slightly warm, dip top of each donut in glaze until halfway submerged, turning as needed to evenly coat one side, then place, glaze-side up, on rack. Let stand until glaze sets and donuts are cool, about 1 hour.

BASIC YEAST-RAISED DOUGHNUT

Steps:

• To make the glaze: Combine the confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Mix well then add a little more water, if necessary, to make a smooth, creamy glaze. Cover the glaze directly with plastic wrap and reserve. (For tips on making flavored glazes see the Cook's Note below.) To make doughnuts: Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-heat. When the milk reaches a simmer pour it into a mixing bowl and allow it to cool.
• Meanwhile, measure 1/4 cup of lukewarm water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast into the water then let the mixture stand until the yeast dissolves, about 7 minutes. Stir the yeast mixture into the milk along with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Mix in 1 1/2 cups of the flour (by hand or with an electric mixer) then cover the dough starter with a clean towel and set it aside to rise and rest in a warm place for 1 hour. When the dough has relaxed, cream the butter with the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Beat the butter mixture into the dough a little at a time. Mix in the egg and salt then mix in the remaining 3 cups flour. Work the dough until it is smooth then place it in a well-greased bowl. Cover again with a clean towel and set aside in a warm place until doubled in bulk, at least one hour.
• Turn the dough out onto floured board and roll it out about 1/2-inch thick. Using a floured doughnut cutter, cut out the doughnuts. Transfer the doughnuts to a clean floured board or baking sheet. Cover once again with a clean towel, and set aside to rise until doubled. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375 degrees F. Working in batches of 2 or 3, fry the doughnuts until they float. Once they bob to the surface of the oil, carefully flip them over. Continue cooking, turning as necessary, until the doughnuts are uniformly golden-brown.
• Transfer the cooked doughnuts to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. While the doughnuts are still warm, dip 1 side of each into the glaze then set aside to cool until the glaze firms. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SPRINKLE-Y GLAZED YEASTED DONUTS

Steps:

• For the donuts: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, whisk together the all-purpose flour, potato flour, granulated sugar, yeast and salt. Add the milk, eggs and vanilla extract and mix with the dough hook to combine. With the mixer running, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until fully incorporated into the dough. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl, as needed. Mix on medium speed, dusting with a light sprinkling of flour as needed, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is completely smooth and slightly sticky, about 10 minutes. Stretch the dough into a ball. Lightly oil a clean, large mixing bowl and place the dough in the bowl, turning it around and upside down to fully coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean, dry towel. Let the dough rise at room temperature until it's doubled in size, 1 1/2 hours.
• Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into donuts with a 3-inch donut cutter, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet that has been dusted with some flour. (You can form the dough scraps into a ball, allow to rest for 30 to 45 minutes, then repeat the process of rolling it out and cutting additional donuts.) Cover with plastic and let proof in a warm place until slightly puffed and increased in volume, 45 minutes.
• Prepare a heavy-bottomed pot with oil for frying. When the oil reaches 350 degrees F, fry the donuts 3 or 4 at a time, flipping every 30 seconds (a pair of chopsticks works well for flipping these), until puffed up to double their size and golden brown, a total of 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a rack. Allow the oil to come back to temperature before frying another batch.
• Meanwhile, prepare the glaze: Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and 3 tablespoons of the milk in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more milk if needed to achieve a thick but drizzle-able consistency. Add a few drops of desired food coloring. Place in a piping bag until ready to pipe onto donuts.
• Pipe the glaze on top of the cooled donuts. Add sprinkles before they dry. These are the best super-fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container on the counter.

AIR FRYER DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk in a liquid measuring cup. Let stand until foamy on top, about 10 minutes.
• Beat the egg and oil using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until combined. Add the vanilla, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until combined.
• Whisk the all-purpose flour, cake flour, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the salt in a medium bowl. Add to the stand mixer in two additions, mixing on low speed after each addition until combined. Continue beating on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until the dough is no longer sticky to the touch, about 1 minute.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead into a smooth ball. Brush a large bowl with melted butter. Add the dough and cover with a clean kitchen cloth. Let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut out 8 doughnuts with a doughnut cutter (or use a wide-mouth Mason jar to create the outer edge and the wide end of a metal pastry tip or a shot glass for the inner edge). Reserve the smaller rounds for making doughnut holes. Cover with the clean cloth and let rise for 30 minutes more.
• Place half of the doughnuts in a 6-quart air fryer and cook at 350 degrees F until golden brown all over, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack and repeat with the remaining doughnuts and doughnut holes.
• Brush the doughnuts on all sides with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Place the doughnuts into the cinnamon sugar and sprinkle to coat on all sides. Serve warm or at room temperature.

OLD-FASHIONED YEAST-RAISED DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in milk and cool to lukewarm. Place water in a warm large mixing bowl, sprinkle in yeast, and stir until dissolved; add milk mixture and sugar. By hand, beat 2 1/2 cups flour in until smooth; mix in eggs, salt, and spices. Mix in remaining flour, adding a little extra, if needed, to form a soft but manageable dough. Knead lightly 1 minute on a floured pastry cloth; shape into a ball, place in a greased large bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down, roll 1/2-inch thick on pastry cloth, using a floured, stockinette-covered rolling pin. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter and place 1 1/2-inches apart on un-greased baking sheets. Reroll and cut scraps. Cover with cloth and let double in bulk.
• Meanwhile, begin heating fat in a deep fat fryer. When doughnuts have risen and fat has reached 375 degrees F, ease 4 doughnuts into fat, 1 at a time. Fry about 2 minutes until golden brown all over, using tongs to turn. Drain on paper toweling.
• While doughnuts are warm, roll in topping.
• Jelly Doughnuts: Prepare as directed, but roll dough 1/4-inch thick instead of 1/2-inch. Cut in 2 1/2-inch rounds and put 1 teaspoonful tart jelly in the center of 1/2 the rounds. Top with remaining rounds, moisten touching edges slightly, and pinch to seal. Let rise, then fry as directed. Roll in confectioners' sugar while still warm.
• Crullers: Prepare as directed, but instead of cutting into doughnuts, cut in strips 8-inches long and 1/2 to 3/4-inch wide; let rise, then twist strips several times and pinch ends. Fry at once and roll in topping while still warm.

YEAST DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl combine 1 3/4 cups flour with yeast. In a saucepan heat milk, sugar, butter and salt until butter melts. Stir milk mixture into flour along with eggs, beating with a heavy-duty electric mixer on low for 30 seconds, just to combine. Increase speed to high and beat 3 minutes. Add the remaining flour, a little at a time, stirring with a spoon to make a firm but pliable dough. Knead dough on lightly-floured work surface 4 to 5 minutes until smooth and supple. Transfer to an oiled bowl. Cover and let dough rise until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
• Turn dough out onto floured surface, punch down and roll out to 1 /2- inch thickness. Cut out doughnuts with a floured doughnut cutter; re roll trimmings and cut them into doughnuts as well. Transfer doughnuts to baking sheets, cover and let rise 45 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry doughnuts, in batches, turning several times, until golden all over. Using a slotted spoon remove doughnuts to a rack to drain. Let doughnuts cool and dredge in confectioners' sugar.

YEASTED DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups of the flour, the yeast, 6 tablespoons sugar, and the salt. Set aside.
• Place the milk and eggs in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a ball of dough forms. Add the softened butter one piece at a time, waiting about 15 seconds after each addition. Continue mixing for about 3 minutes longer, adding the remaining flour 1 tablespoon at a time if necessary, until the dough forms a soft ball.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature until nearly doubled in size, 2 to 2½ hours. Place the dough onto a floured surface and, using a rolling pin, roll it out to a thickness of ½ inch. Cut the dough using a 2½- or 3-inch doughnut cutter, gathering the scraps and rerolling them as necessary. Place the doughnut rings and holes onto a floured baking sheet. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until slightly puffy, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fit a candy thermometer to the side of a large Dutch oven. Add the shortening to the pot and gradually heat the shortening over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Place the rings and holes carefully into the hot fat 4 or 5 at a time. Fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds per side for the holes and 45 to 60 seconds per side for the doughnuts. Remove the doughnuts from the hot oil and drain on a paper towel-lined rimmed baking sheet or wire rack. Repeat with the remaining doughnuts, returning the fat to temperature between batches. Cool the doughnuts for about 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Roll the warm doughnuts in the remaining 1 cup sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BAKED YEAST DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Place 1/3 cup of the warm milk in the bowl of an electric mixer. Stir in the yeast and sugar and set aside for five minutes or so to let it proof. Stir the butter into the remaining cup of warm milk and add it to the yeast mixture. With a fork, stir in the eggs, flour, nutmeg, and salt - just until the flour is incorporated. With the dough hook attachment of your mixer beat the dough for a few minutes at medium speed. Adjust the dough texture by adding flour a few tablepsoons at a time or more milk. You want the dough to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl and eventually become supple and smooth. Turn it out onto a floured counter-top, knead a few times (the dough should be barely sticky), and shape into a ball.
• Transfer the dough to a buttered (or oiled) bowl, cover, put in a warm place, and let rise for an hour or until the dough has roughly doubled in size.
• Punch down the dough and roll it out 1/2-inch thick on your floured countertop. With a 2-3 inch cookie cutter, stamp out circles in the dough . Transfer the circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet and stamp out the smaller inner circles using a smaller cutter. If you cut the inner holes out any earlier, they become distorted when you attempt to move them. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise for another 45 minutes.
• Bake in a 375 degree oven until the bottoms are just golden, 8 to 10 minutes - start checking around 8. While the doughnuts are baking, place the butter in a medium bowl. Place the sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
• Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let cool for just a minute or two. Dip each one in the melted butter and a quick toss in the sugar bowl. Eat immediately if not sooner.
• Makes 1 1/2 - 2 dozen medium doughnuts.