YUMMY donuts!

This recipe makes about 3 baker's dozen donuts (that's 39!).  You can scale it down - or up - as you need! They are not Krispy Kreme's but they are GOOOOOOOD!

Donuts
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
canola oil for frying

Glaze
1/2 cup (113g) butter
3 cups (375g) powdered sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
6 -9 tablespoons (90-135ml) evaporated milk (can substitute regular milk or water for milder flavor)


MAKING THE DONUTS
Proof your yeast by adding it to the warm water.  Mix it up and let it rest.

Scald the milk in your microwave or on top of your stove, and let cool.

Combine yeast, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 3 cups (375g) flour.

Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.

Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

Carefully (not like me), stir in remaining flour until smooth.

Cover and let rise until double, 30-60 minutes, depending on the yeast you used.
After the dough has risen, turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.

Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin.

Cut with floured doughnut cutter.  Separate donuts and holes, as they take different frying times (but are equally delicious).  Save your scraps - they are both great to test your fry time and to snack on while you're making the rest!  You could even get REALLY creative and use various shaped cookie cutters!

Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.

MAKING THE GLAZE
I like to make up the glaze at this point because it can sit at room temp until the donuts are fried and ready to be dipped.

Melt the butter and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Add milk (or water) until desired consistency is reached.

*** to make chocolate glaze, melt 6 ounces of chocolate along with the butter!***

FRY TIME
Use a deep pan to heat the oil.   I used a shallow one to be able to take better pictures, but this provides a real fire hazard.  So be safe!

Heat your oil to 350F (180C).  A thermometer makes this part fool-proof, and you can monitor the heat to make sure it stays in this prime frying range.

Even after you take the donut out of the oil, the remaining oil on it is hot enough to continue cooking it!

Carefully place the donuts in the oil. I personally found that about 30 seconds a side does it. Flip the donuts and remove them from the oil.

Place donuts on a rack or paper bags or paper towels to drain.

TIME FOR THAT SWEET GLAZE!
Now is the time to take your donuts into a magical dimension.   Dip them in the glaze and set them on a rack to dry