Donuts

Good Eats Yeast Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 1/2 ounces vegetable shortening, approximately 1/3 cup
• 2 packages instant yeast
• 1/3 cup warm water (95 to 105 degrees F)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 23 ounces all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting surface
• Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying (1 to 1/2 gallons, depending on fryer)

Procedure

• Place shortening in a saucepan with milk, heat just enough to melt
• Sprinkle yeast over warm water, let sit for 5 minutes
• Add yeast, milk, shortening (cooled), eggs, sugar, salt, nutmeg, and half the flour to a stand mixer with the beater attachment, stir slow until it comes together, then up to medium until mixed
• Add flour and mix again thoroughly
• Add kneading hook, knead on medium until it pulls away from the bowl
• Remove dough to a well oiled bowl, store for 1 hour in a warm place or until it doubles in size

• Move dough to well floured surface, top with flour, fold a few times, gently squeezing
• Roll to 3/8" thickness
• Cut in to donuts, dust the cutter in flour first
• Wad up leftover dough in a ball, cover and sit for an hour before re using
• Cover donuts with tea towel, let rise for 30 minutes at room temp

• Heat oil to 365F
• Fry donuts for 1 minute per side