Doughnuts

These are very simple and very yummy!

1/2 cup water, lukewarm
2 pkg active dry yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
4 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1/3 cup shortening
2 eggs

Start by dissolving the yeast into the water and let sit about 5 minutes.  Milk the shortening into the milk on the stove--don't scorch the milk!  Place sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and pour the milk mixture over it.  Wait until it cools down just a little bit, do NOT pour hot milk over it.  Add the yeast and eggs mix well.  Add the flour 1 cup at a time.  When the dough starts to pull away from the bowl, pour it onto a floured surface and knead until dough becomes smooth and a little stretchy.  Place in a greased bowl and grease the top of the dough.  Let raise until double in size.

Roll out dough to about 1/2 inch think and cut into circles.  I used a circle cookie cutter but you could also use a tin can that has been opened so the lid has the smooth edges and the can itself is sharp.  (sorry I can't remember the name of the can opener that does that)  Cut out your doughnut hole using a smaller cookie cutter or a medicine pill bottle.

Move doughnuts to a greased cookie sheet and let raise an additional 40-60 minutes.

Heat oil (or shortening) to about 350° F  Once hot place doughnuts in oil.  This part is very fast so be careful.  I would put 6 doughnuts in the oil and by the time I dropped the last one it it was time to start turning.  You want to turn them when they are just a light brown.  Same with the other side, by the time I got them all flipped over it was time to take them out.  Place on a plate covered in paper towels to absorb some of the oil.

Now you can cool them and frost them, or glaze them.  I just dipped mine straight from the plate before they cool down into a bowl of sugar.  We love sugar doughnuts at our house :)  Let cool and ........ENJOY!!!

For the glaze you would combine 1 TBS warm water, 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth.  You may need to add a little bit more water but you want it a little bit thick!