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Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts

Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen medium doughnuts.

Ingredients:

Doughnut Batter:

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 c unrefined sugar
  • 2 Tbsp shortening, melted
  • 4 c unbleached flour
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 quart vegetable oil

Directions for Batter:

  1. In a large bowl using a wooden spoon, beat egg yolks. Add sugar and melted shortening. Beat another minute or two, until well-blended.
  2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
  3. Mix together milk and lemon zest. Alternate adding milk/lemon zest and flour mixture, beating each until you have a soft dough.
  4. Refrigerate one hour.
  5. Just before cutting doughnuts, heat oil in a heavy pot or fryer, until it is 360-370 degrees.
  6. On a lightly floured board, evenly roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thick. Cut out doughnuts with a doughnut cutter.
  7. Fry doughnuts a few at a time, cooking about 1-2 minutes per side, or until deep brown.
  8. Remove to a rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
  9. Dip in granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon sugar, or frost tops using the glaze recipes below. Cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

Maple Glaze

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 c unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 c pure maple syrup
  • 1 c confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Drizzle on tops of doughnuts while they are still warm. Then dig in finely chopped nuts, coconut, or sprinkles if desired.
  2. Allow to cool and set at least 20 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Ganache:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c heavy cream
  • 6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp strong brewed coffee
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium low heat, bring the heavy cream to scalding, stirring often. (Do not scorch!)
  2. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa, sugar, coffee and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Spread mixture on tops. Doughnuts may be then dipped in finely chopped nuts, coconut or colored sprinkles, if desired.
  4. Allow to cool and set at least 20 minutes before serving.

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