There's nothing like homemade donuts

As a little school girl I always looked forward to coming home from school. My mum was an excellent cook and tried her hand at something special every evening. It ranged from cakes, puddings, souffles, desserts, tarts,  savory, Indian chaat and a variety of different eats that we relished. One on of those special evenings when I came back from school I saw something special which looked like doughnuts. I thought to myself that this cant be true. Before she realized we had wiped the plate clean. I asked my mum to make them again for the school fund raiser and I felt very proud when all my friends told me I was very lucky to have a mommy who made such delicious treats. Well I must say I am lucky but I never got to taste doughnuts again. She always promised me that she would make donuts for me sometime and I thought I must surprise her by making them myself.

I chose a couple of recipes from different books and online and made a recipe of my own.

• 1 envelope active dry yeast( if using rapid rise yeast directly add it to the flour)
• 1/4 cup warm water (Heat to 110 degrees)
• 3/4 cups lukewarm milk
• 1/4cup  + 1 Tablespoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3 Tablespoons shortening
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
•  vegetable oil for frying

• If you are using active dry yeast sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy. If you plan on using rapid rise yeast add it to the four and continue with the next step

• In a large bowl, mix together the sugar,yeast, milk, salt, shortening, 1 cup of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon.Then add the eggs and mix it gradually into the flour. Beat in remaining flour a little at a time at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. You can also preheat an oven and place the dough in warm oven after switching off the oven.Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.

• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.  
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack.

For the Glaze

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup confectioners' sugar or icing sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in 4 tablespoons hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.Dip the fried donuts into the glaze on one side and place it on a mesh placing the undipped side flat on the mesh so that it dries

Variations:

1. Use a chocolate ganache and then dip in roasted walnuts. 
2. U can also use an icing nozzle and insert jam into the fried donuts.
3. On the glaze use ready sprinkles for an extra special look.

Be Creative and keep me updated when you try out these donuts. I must say it was delicious and I heard people say they enjoyed every bite of it.