Doughnuts

Certainly! Here’s a simple recipe for classic homemade doughnuts:

Classic Homemade Doughnuts:

Ingredients:

For the Doughnuts:

• 1 cup whole milk, warmed
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil for frying

For Sugar Coating (Optional):

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

For the Doughnuts:

1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warmed milk, active dry yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and ground nutmeg.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the softened butter and eggs to the frothy yeast mixture. Mix well.
4. Knead the Dough: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-8 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
6. Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or round cookie cutters to cut out doughnuts and doughnut holes.
7. Second Rise: Place the cut doughnuts and holes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.

For Frying:

1. Heat the Oil: In a large, deep pan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry the Doughnuts: Carefully place a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

For Sugar Coating (Optional):

1. Mix Sugar and Cinnamon: In a bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
2. Coat the Doughnuts: While the doughnuts are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
3. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the doughnuts warm and enjoy!

These classic homemade doughnuts are a delicious treat for breakfast or dessert. Customize them by adding your favorite glaze or toppings if desired. Enjoy!