Doughnuts. Mrs. M. S. Leonard. Recipe

History of Doughnuts:

Doughnuts, also known as donuts, have a rich history that dates back centuries. Though the exact origins of this delicious treat are debated, they are widely believed to have been brought to America by Dutch settlers. The Dutch made a similar fried dough treat called "olykoeks," which means "oily cakes" in Dutch.

Over time, doughnuts evolved and became a popular treat across America, with various styles and flavors emerging. In fact, the hole in the center of the doughnut is said to have been invented by a 19th-century American sailor named Hanson Crockett Gregory. The story goes that Gregory wanted to create a doughnut with a more evenly cooked center, so he used the lid of a tin pepper can to cut out the middle and give the doughnut its iconic shape.

Today, doughnuts come in countless varieties, from classic glazed and powdered sugar to more adventurous flavors like maple bacon and matcha green tea. They are enjoyed as a breakfast treat, dessert, or a snack any time of the day.

Recipe for Doughnuts:

Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/3 cups skimmed sweet milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 teaspoons melted butter
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- All-purpose flour (for rolling and cutting)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet milk and sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add the eggs to the mixture and beat well.
3. Gradually add the melted butter and continue to mix until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, sift the baking powder with the all-purpose flour. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.
5. Dust a clean surface with flour and transfer the dough onto it. Knead the dough lightly, adding additional flour if needed, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
6. Roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cookie cutters (one larger and one smaller) to cut out your doughnut shapes. Save the doughnut holes for frying separately.
7. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to around 350°F (175°C) - you can use a candy thermometer to check the temperature.
8. Carefully drop a few doughnuts at a time into the heated oil and fry until golden brown, flipping them once to ensure even cooking. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side.
9. Once fried, use a slotted spoon to transfer the doughnuts onto a plate lined with paper towels, allowing any excess oil to drain.
10. Repeat the frying process until all the doughnuts are cooked, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain the oil's temperature.
11. Allow the doughnuts to cool slightly before glazing or dusting them with your favorite toppings, such as powdered sugar, chocolate ganache, or flavored glazes.
12. Serve and enjoy the freshly made doughnuts!

Fun Facts about Doughnuts:

1. The largest doughnut ever made weighed over 1.7 tons and had a diameter of over 16 feet. It was created in 1993 in Utica, New York, to celebrate the city's rich doughnut heritage.
2. National Doughnut Day is celebrated on the first Friday of June each year. It was established in 1938 by The Salvation Army to honor the "Doughnut Lassies," who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.
3. It's estimated that Americans consume around 10 billion doughnuts every year.
4. The world's oldest known surviving recipe for a fried dough treat comparable to doughnuts can be found in a medieval German cookbook from 1485!

Similar Recipe Dishes:

If you enjoy making doughnuts, you might also want to try your hand at these similar recipe dishes:

1. Beignets: This French-inspired doughnut-like pastry is made from deep-fried choux pastry dough. Beignets are typically dusted with powdered sugar and are especially popular in New Orleans cuisine.

2. Churros: Originating from Spain, churros are long, deep-fried pastries made from a simple dough mixture. They are often served with a dusting of cinnamon sugar and accompanied by a chocolate dipping sauce.

3. Funnel Cakes: Commonly found at fairs and carnivals, funnel cakes are made by pouring a batter through a funnel into hot oil, creating a lattice-like design. Once fried, they are dusted with powdered sugar or topped with various sweet toppings like chocolate sauce or fruit.

4. Zeppole: A traditional Italian pastry, zeppole is made from deep-fried dough and typically served dusted with powdered sugar. These light and airy treats are a favorite during Italian celebrations, especially on St. Joseph's Day.

Try out these recipes and explore the world of delicious fried dough treats!