How to Make Old-Fashioned Yeast Raised Doughnuts (Donuts)

Nothing’s better than the smell and taste of fresh homemade doughnuts. These old-fashioned doughnuts are fun to make with children who like to help out in the kitchen. They will also gladly help you eat the finished doughnuts!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• For the Doughnuts you will need:
• 3/4 cup Shortening
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla
• 3 Eggs
• 2 cups Scalded Milk
• 1 Pkg. Yeast dissolved in 1/2 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 6-7 cups Flour
• Glaze
• 3 cups Powdered (Confectioner’s) Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• Salt (to taste, if desired)
• 1/2 cup Milk

1. To make the doughnuts, you will need to cream the Sugar and Shortening together in a medium sized bowl, add Eggs, and beat well.

2. Add Salt, Milk that has been cooled to lukewarm and the Yeast/Water mixture. Mix well and add enough Flour to make the dough easy to handle.

3. Let the dough rise until double, punch down and let rise again.

4. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into desired shape and size. Let it rise again for 30 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

5. Make a glaze by adding 3 cups Powdered Sugar, 1 teaspoon Vanilla, Salt (to taste), and 1/2 cup Milk. Mix well

6. Fry the doughnuts in deep cooking oil. Fry on each side until golden brown. Place doughnuts onto cookie sheet lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

7. While the doughnuts are still hot, dip in glaze.

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy your doughnuts with a cup of coffee!
• Children can help with making the dough, but please keep them away from hot oil.

[annelizabeth]

on 11/5/2009 I have tried these donuts and they were delicious. Only one thing wrong they didn't last the day out. We ate them all.

[countreegirl]

on 11/2/2009 It's nice to have people think your recipe is "easy" because the directions are short & simple. But you don't give enough information for a novice cook to be successful. For instance, you say "Fry the doughnuts in deep cooking oil." You don't give the oil temperature or how long to fry them. I think this recipe is doomed to failure & some people will give up & never try to make doughnuts again, which is a shame. I hope people will find a really great recipe & be proud of the delightful doughnuts anyone can achieve when they have proper directions. Or maybe you can improve yours!

[pennynickols]

on 9/25/2009 Thanks for sharing, "How to Make Old-Fashioned Yeast Raised Doughnuts (Donuts)." My grandmother used to make these and my sister, brother, and I would take a warm bag of donuts out to the field to share with my grandfather. Your article brought back fond memories!

[victoria37]

on 3/17/2009 sounds good, can't wait to try them. 5* :)

[eliptica]

on 2/25/2009 I love doughnuts. Now I have to try this recipe. Thanks.