Cinnamon Sugar Donut Recipe

Remember the early 90's, when people on health kicks ate muffins for lunch before we realised they were simply over sized cupcakes with a few sneaky oats and berries thrown on top!!.

Well, today I have a simple Donut making method to share with you... it's not a health snack, its never going to be but it sure looks pretty and it's fun to make!. 

I stumbled across this recipe on Instructables here and will definitely be trying this out for the dough base next time. However for the images included I used a local recipe... long story short it was a bit doughey and it didn't have enough flavour... it would have possibly made a good jam filled Donut base but I like the look of this instructables recipe by Scoochmaroo.

Donuts makes about 40 (scoochmaroo)
3 (1/4 ounce / 7g) packages yeast (3/4 oz / 21g total) - I used "Rapid Rise" but traditional is fine too - it just affects the rising times
1/2 cup (120ml) water  (105-115F / 40-46C)2 
1/4 cups (530ml) milk, scalded, then cooled
3/4 cup (169g) sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup (113g) shortening
7 1/2 cups (940g) all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil for frying

Proof your yeast, scald the milk then let it cool (to kill the enzymes that deter your dough from rising) then add together with the rest of the ingredients with half the flour and beat on low for 30 seconds and then on medium for 2 mins. Then gently add the rest of the flour until smooth and leave the dough to rise for 60 mins.

Place the dough on a floured surface and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Gather two round cutters as shown below in the pics. Cut out your shapes (don't forget to keep the inside holes for frying too!). Place donuts and holes on a tray and let rise again for about 30 mins.  

Mix your cinnamon sugar by adding 1-2 teaspoons of group cinnamon to 1/2 a cup of raw caster sugar (you can also use white caster). Then leave aside. You will need more then 1 or two times this amount but you can mix as you go and you can add as much cinnamon as you like.

When your donuts have rested start to heat your oil. Use a deep pan and enough oil to allow the donuts to float while cooking... you could probably also use a deep fryer if on hand. You need to add the donuts to hot ready to fry oil approx (180 deg celsius). Please be very careful while handling the oil and frying the donuts. Fry each donut for about 1 min each side then place on paper towel. 

Then shake and gently shake each side of your donut in the bowl of pre mixed cinnamon sugar.  See images below. 

xx