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.

Pretzel Bites

The first time I had these babies my daughter was having her Girl's Night Out party in our cabin.  I watched her make these pretzel bites, then bit into one and fell in love!  (that's Brandi, second from the left- love her too- AND her friends!)

When I was going through my Pity Party (see my regular blog entry the other day) and having a cooking frenzy, these are one of the Rhodes dough variations I made.  The first one is the cheesy savory one Brandi did (a little garlic and Parmesan cheese and salt.)

This is the cinnamon and sugar one that had me going the other day.  So good.  So addictive!

Pretzel Bites

Rhodes dinner rolls, thawed & risen as directed on package
melted butter
 {cinnamon & sugar, Parmesan cheese,  asiago cheese, whatever you like on your pretzels!}



After your rolls have thawed & doubled in size cut into bite size pieces. (I use scissors)  Bring a pot of water to a boil with 1/2 cup baking soda.  Sounds weird but the baking soda is what gives your pretzel that outside pretzel crunch and shine.  Place a few dough pieces {do not crowd}  into boiling water for 30-45 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and put on paper towel (I put a cloth towel under the paper towel to drain better) to drain. Repeat with remaining dough. Place dough pieces on parchment lined {or greased} cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 min. While still warm place in bowl and toss with melted butter or  sprinkle Kosher salt {or topping of choice} and serve warm.  If you are making asiago or salted pretzel bites, sprinkle with cheese or salt about 5 minutes before they are done.

Krispy Kreme Copycat Recipe

I've been eyeing this recipe for quite awhile and today finally broke down and made it.  My kiddos helped...they loved rolling out the dough and then cutting out the donuts.  We didn't do the chocolate frosting....I love just the glaze.  I substituted butter for the shortening in the recipe.  Absolutely delicious!  Warm the glazed donuts in the microwave for about 13 seconds to have that "green light Krispy Kreme" sensation.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Copycat

Doughnuts

1. 2 (¼ ounce) package yeast
2. ¼ cup water ( 105-115)
3. 1 ½ cups lukewarm milk ( scalded, then cooled)
4. ½ cup sugar
5. 1 teaspoon salt
6. 2 eggs
7. ¹⁄₃ cup shortening
8. 5 cups all-purpose flour
9. canola oil

Creamy Glaze

1. ¹⁄₃ cup butter
2. 2 cups powdered sugar
3. 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
4. 4 -6 tablespoons hot water

Chocolate frosting

1. ¹⁄₃ cup butter
2. 2 cups powdered sugar
3. 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
4. 4 -6 tablespoons hot water
5. 4 ounces milk chocolate chips or 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in 2 1/2-quart bowl.
2. Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour.
3. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.
4. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
5. Stir in remaining flour until smooth.
6. Cover and let rise until double, 50-60 minutes.
7. (Dough is ready when indentation remains when touched.) 
8. Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.
9. Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin.
10. Cut with floured doughnut cutter.
11. Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.
12. Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350°.
13. Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula.
14. Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface.
15. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side.
16. Remove carefully from oil (do not prick surface); drain. 
17. (use unpainted chopsticks to flip and turn without poking)
18. Dip the doughnuts into creamy glaze set on rack 
19. then when slightly cooled spread chocolate frosting on top.
20. Dip in sprinkles or other toppings after chocolate if desired.
21. Creamy Glaze: Heat butter until melted.
22. Remove from heat.
23. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
24. Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.
25. Chocolate Frosting: Heat butter and chocolate over low heat 
26. until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
27. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
28. Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.