Secret Donut Recipe

We have tried several donut recipes in the past, but so far this has been the favorite. You can find the full recipe and pictures at http://www.secretdonutrecipe.com/recipe1.html. This is a copy of that site. This recipe should make a dozen. The theory is that you can make this recipe in less time and loads less cost then it would take to drive to the store to buy some. They taste better too!

Microwave 1 cup of milk so that it is warm (not hot) add the 5 teaspoons of yeast (2 packets) and a pinch of sugar and stir. Let stand for about 5 minutes.

In a bowl combine:

2 cups of all purpose flour

1/2 cup of warm mashed potatoes

The potato is the most important part of the recipe, take one medium sized potato and poke some holes in it with a fork. Put it in the microwave for a few minutes until it is done (soft when you squeeze it). Scoop out a half a cup of potatoes for the recipe

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/4 cup of sugar

Then in the bowl add:

The milk mixture and 2 Tablespoons of oil

Mix the dough well by hand or in a mixer with a dough hook for 3 minutes. Prepare your kneading surface by spreading a few tablespoons of flour on a smooth surface. Put the dough in the middle of the flour and sprinkle a little flour on top and on your hands. Knead the dough a few times. Once the dough has been kneaded, spread it out to be a half inch thick with your hands or with a rolling pin. Now it is time to cut out the donuts, you can use a donut cutter or just use something about the same size and then find something to make the hole with. Place the donuts on a floured pan to let rise as you get the oil ready. Let them rise for a total of ten minutes (it takes about five minutes for the oil to heat up).

Pour about a half inch of oil (vegetable oil) into a cast iron pan. An electric fry pan works great also. The oil needs to be about 360 degrees which on my stove is about Medium to Medium High. If the oil starts to smoke it is way too hot. Test the oil with some of the scraps of dough and when it is ready cook the donuts until golden brown on each side. Allow the donuts to cool on a rack or on some paper so that the oil soaks off. 

Vanilla Glaze

In a mug, microwave half of cup of milk with a teaspoon of butter (you'll use this later)

In a bowl mix:

1 cup of powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons of the milk mixture

1/4 teaspoon of lemon

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

If you a really thin glaze, just add a little more of the milk mixture.

Chocolate Glaze

Use the milk mixture from above.

In a bowl mix:

1 cup of powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons of Hershey Cocoa

3 Tablespoons of the milk mixture from above.

Put a slightly warm donut face down in the chocolate glaze, turn slightly and remove. Perfect! Now you are ready to enjoy your dozen donuts.