Classic Raised Donuts - Hummingbird High

For the Donuts

In a medium bowl, dissolve 2 tablespoons of yeast into 3/4 cup milk. Add 3/4 cup flour and stir to create a smooth paste. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
Combine the remaining milk (1/4 cup) and remaining yeast (1 tablespoon) in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the rested flour mixture (from the first step), along with 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 egg yolks. Mix until smooth. Turn off the mixer and add 1/2 cup of the remaining flour, mixing on low for about 30 seconds. Add 1/4 cup butter and mix just until it becomes incorporated, about 30 seconds. Switch to a dough hook and add more flour, about 1/4 cup at a time from the remaining 1 3/4 cup measure, with the mixer turned off. Knead the dough at medium speed between each addition, until the dough pulls completely away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth but not too sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour and a half.
When the dough is ready, line a flat surface with a lightly flour, non-terry cloth flour sack towel. Transfer the dough onto the flour sack towel and use a rolling pin to roll it flat with about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out 3-inch diameter rounds, with 1-inch diameter holes.
When you've finished cutting out the donuts, cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm spot to proof until they almost double in size. This should take about 5 to 20 minutes. Be sure to test the dough at 5 minute intervals, tough the dough lightly with your fingertip. If the dough springs back immediately, it needs more time. If it springs back slowly, it is ready. If it doesn't spring back at all, it has overproofed -- you can punch it down and reroll it at once.
While the donuts are proofing, heat a heavy bottomed pot (I used a cast iron skillet) filled with 2 cups of vegetable oil to 360 (F). With a metal spatula, carefully place the doughnuts in the oil. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until light golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on a paper towel placed on a wire rack, and let cool slightly before glazing.

For the Honey Glaze:

Sift 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar into a medium bowl.
Use a rubber spatula to stir in 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 1/2 tablespoons milk until the sugar is completely dissolved and you are left with a liquid paste-like substance.
If you are using food coloring, add in a couple drops and keep stirring the glaze until the color is uniform. Use immediately to glaze the donuts! If not, the glaze will harden. The best way I found to glaze the donuts was to actually dunk the top halves of each donut into the bowl containing the glaze. Once the top has been glazed, lay the undipped part of the donut on top of a cooling rack with a plate underneath -- this will allow excess glaze from the donut to drip onto the plate.
Once the donuts have been glazed, sprinkle immediately with your chosen decorations. If you wait to decorate the donuts, the glaze will harden and the decorations will not stay on the glaze.

Get the Recipe: Classic Raised Donuts

Ingredients

For the Donuts

For the Honey Glaze

Equipment

Instructions

For the Donuts

For the Honey Glaze:

Notes