Time to make the doughnuts...

Dear Readers,

Buttermilk cake-style doughnuts - mine 

Doughnuts are a thing of glorious beauty.

Especially when they're freshly made and still warm... though to be fair, even when they're not, they're still pretty good.

Happily, making doughnuts from scratch is relatively easy and beyond worth the effort.

People might argue that the best thing about making doughnuts yourself is that it enables you to flavor them to your liking, but I think the best thing about making doughnuts is... well... doughnuts.

There are a million 'baked not fried' doughnut recipes out there, but I don't think you need to bother with a baked doughnut.

I mean... why? :)

My opinion is that if you're eating so many doughnuts they affect your heath... perhaps you should reevalute your lifestyle.  I believe that if you're going to have a treat, you should really enjoy that treat.

Alternately, throw caution to the wind and simply exist on doughnuts... I promise you it will be a brief, yet glorious existance.

Classic Berliner with organic blackbery preserves - mine

Basic Cake Doughnuts 
Adapted From:
Glazed, Filled, Sugared & Dipped

• 3c         Flour
• 3/4 c     Sugar
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1 tsp.    Baking Powder
• 1/2c      Buttermilk
• 1           Egg
• 2           Yolks
• 2oz       Butter (melted)

Optional ingredients: Vanilla extract, lemon zest, cinnamon sugar, nutmeg etc..

Quick Glaze

Mix together: 

• 1c       Confectioners sugar
• 2T      Milk

Optional: Vanilla extract, bourbon, cinnamon etc...
--------------------------------

Procedure:

Place buttermilk, egg/yolks and melted butter into a bowl or stand mixer.  Add the flour, sugar, baking soda/powder and mix just until a dough forms (do not overmix!). Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper (or plastic wrap) and roll until approximately 3/4 inch thick.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour.  

Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a heavy bottomed pan (or deep fryer) until the temperature reaches 350 degrees.

Prepare a tray or cookie sheet covered with paper towels in order to drain the fried doughnuts.

Roll out the dough and cut into the desired shape.  Be sure to get creative with this step and use all of the fun cookie cutters you have lying around.  Doughnuts don't need to be round, only delicious!

Fry dough in the hot oil for approximately 2 minutes or until they are golden brown, turning occassionally so they don't get too dark on one side.

Remove from the heat, dip in glaze or toss in sugar flavored however you prefer.

Pair them with good quality fruit preserves and coffee.

Delicious.

I really hope you've enjoyed this, if you've never made fresh doughnuts before, be sure to give this recipe a try, I promise you'll love them.  :)

Stay Sweet!

Lisa