Doughnuts!!!!!!

I made doughnuts!!!!!!!

The husband said randomly, "I want doughnuts." So as his dutiful wife, I thought, "Hrm, that could be fun to make. Maybe..." And today's the day that maybe became a yes. I used this recipe called Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts bc it had a LOT of positive reviews. I was skeptical though because I think it's hard getting a doughnut to be airy and light and chewy all at the same time like the ones from doughnut shops. Well, this one came pretty close. It was more light and chewy. Didn't quite have that airiness, but maybe I'm just picky because the boys (pops n hubby) and a few friends who have tried it thought it was really good.

Here's the ingredients list (tweaked for yield of 12):

Dough

1/3 oz active dry yeast (I have a digital scale)
3 tbs warm water (105°F - 115°F)

1/3 cup white sugar

1 cup lukewarm milk
3/4 tsp salt
1 egg
3+1/2 tbs canola oil or shortening
3+1/3 cups all-purpose flour
Frying Oil

2+2/3 cups vegetable oil for frying (I didn't actually measure out what I used... I just poured)
Glaze

3+1/2 tbs unsalted butter
1+1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons hot water or as needed

Directions:

1. Sprinkle a little of the sugar into the warm water and swirl until all or most has dissolved. Then sprinkle in the yeast over the warm sugar water and let stand for 5 minutes or until foamy.

2. In a large mixer bowl, mix together milk, sugar, salt, egg, oil, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few seconds, then add in the yeast mixture. Mix again for a few minutes at low speed or stir with a wooden spoon. On medium speed, add in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead (medium-high speed) for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place to rise until double. (You can heat your oven to its lowest temperature then turn it off and then set your dough in your oven until it doubles). Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.

3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. (I just knifed it into strips because I don't own a doughnut cutter. Worked just fine.) Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.

4. For the glaze, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.

5. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350°F (175°C ). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. 

6. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.

The two middles ones have not yet been glazed (above photo).

It's definitely something I'd make again! YUMMY DONUTS!!!!!