Norma's Donuts (Sophia's Recipe)/ with Apple Cider Glaze

I've been on a quest to find the perfect homemade donut recipe for me- and I loved this one of friend, Sophia's.  I was taking dinner to someone special and certainly didn't need 60 donuts so I cut it in two and still had way more than I needed.  What I meant was- way more than I could possibly consume in one sitting.  Really, making homemade donuts is not for the faint-hearted or anyone dieting!  When the donuts came out of the oil, after draining on a rack, I dunked them in a reduced Apple Cider glaze - the recipe from my neighbor and friend Amelia that just hosted an Apple Cider Press party- with homemade apple cider and you guessed it- homemade donuts with glazes.  I had the Cider glaze at her party but she said the Maple glaze was even more popular.  I haven't made it yet but I will soon and add it!







Sophia's Recipe for Norma's Donuts  (Spudnuts!!!!)

 

1 cup shortening (I used butter flavored)

 

2 Tbsp. yeast dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water

5 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. salt

1/2 tsp lemon extract

2 cups mashed potatoes (she recommends making them from instant potatoes)

4 cups luke warm milk

5 pounds of flour (about 10 cups)

Scald milk with shortening, add salt, sugar and enough flour to the batter about the consistency of cake batter. Add the potatoes, beaten eggs and dissolved yeast, extract and enough flour to make a soft dough. Let raise twice and roll out flat. Cut into donut shapes. Let raise until light and fluffy (about fifteen more minutes.) Cook in hot oil (375°), turning as they become golden brown. Glaze or frost or dip in cinnamon sugar, plain sugar or powdered sugar. Enjoy!  I served them with Apple Cider glaze- recipe to follow.

 

A few tips:

• each batch makes about 60ish doughnuts
• used one gallon of Wesson Oil
• from the rolling out to eating point, it took one hour
• don't forget to cook the doughnut holes, toss them into a zip-lock bag of sugar and shake.
• Store them tightly once completely cooled
• Share some with a neighbor or friend!

 

Apple Cider Glaze

1 cup apple cider
2 cups powdered sugar
1 Tb. light corn syrup

Cook and reduced the cider by half- about 7-10 minutes.  Stir in the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and then stir in corn syrup.  Good warm or cold.