Donuts

[madmantrapper]

When I was a kid my mom made donuts in a frying pan. We would put powdered sugar on them while they were hot. They were great. Well mom is still around and pushing ninety, she remembers making them but don't have a clue about the recipe. I called my sisters and they don't even remember the donuts. Anyway anyone know of a good easy recipe for donuts?

 

[chris.lawrence]

well i must first apologise; i was about to leave a patronising comment on how a google search would of yealded more results; but after running a google search (or 3 or 4) I can honestly tell you there's some god-awful recipes out there!

There are two main varieties; yeasted donuts and cake donuts. Yeasted being leavened by yeast which are incredibly light; with a fantastic crumb, and are made somewhat like a sweet sandwhich bread fried in oil. They take a little longer to make than cake donuts (as they need to be kneaded and proofed) but well worth it.
Cake donuts are leavened with baking powder; much simpler but the texture just isn't a donut to me.

yeasted donuts: Yeast Doughnuts Recipe
cake donuts: Basic Cake Donuts Recipe -- Mr Breakfast

 

[madmantrapper]

Thanks for the recipes and for not harassing me.

Paul

 

[grumio]

Pate a choux, possibly? It's a semi-cooked dough of water, butter, flour & eggs used to make cream puffs, eclairs, churros, etc. It's very simple & quick. It rises by steam, though, & I don't know if pan-frying would make that happen. But then it'll only cost you 2 eggs & half a stick of butter to find out...

 

[bouncingdonuts]

You should also try Kosher Donuts. There are many alternatives to healthy and absolutely delicious goodies.

 

[panini]

Most shops down here gave away free donuts today in celebration of National Donut Day

 

[rrcos]

These work well for us at home.. 

Cake Donuts

3 tablespoons of butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup milk
4 cups AP flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons of baking powder

Heat about 12 cups of canola oil in a large pot, over moderate heat to 350°F.

Using a mixer.. beat the butter, sugar and eggs until smooth and pale.

In another bowl.. mix flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and baking powder until well blended.

Place the flour mixture on a working table and form a well in the center. Pour the egg mixture into the well and add the milk, mixing until the dough comes together. You may need to a little more flour to form a dough that is only slightly sticky but still manageable.  

Flour the table and roll out the dough to about ¾ of an inch thick. Using a donuts cutter.. cut the donuts.. then fry in the hot oil.. only 2 or 3 at a time for about a minute on each side. When adding donuts to the oil, they will sink to the bottom, but then rise to the top after 10 of 15 seconds.

Drain on paper towels.