Bill's Birthday Donuts

I make donuts once a year for my husband's birthday. He loves homemade donuts, and I'm reminded that his birthday is coming about a month before. Not for the gifts, but for his donuts. Yep, he loves them that much!

BILL'S BIRTHDAY DONUTS

(makes 2 dozen)

Ingredients:

*2 quarts vegetables oil (for deep frying)

*3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

*1 cup white sugar

*3 teaspoons baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*2 tablespoons shortening

*2 eggs

*3/4 cups whole milk

Directions:

~Beat 1 1/3 cups flour and the remaining ingredients in a large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, for 30 seconds.

~Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, for 2 minutes.

~Stir in remaining flour.

~Turn dough onto a well-floured cloth covered board.

~Roll around gently to coat with flour.

~Roll out gently to 3/8 inch thickness.

~Cut with floured donut cutter.

~Heat oil (2-3 inches) in deep fryer or heavy skillet to 375 degrees.

~Carefully slide donuts into hot oil with a spatula. (three or four at a time, depending on how big your pan is).

~Turn donuts when the rise to the surface, and are a light golden brown.

~Fry until golden second side is a golden brown. (normally 1-1 1/2 minutes on each side)

~Remove from oil and drain on cooling rack or paper towels.

`plain

`cinnamon sugar (Bill's favorite)

-1 cup white sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

-Place sugar in brown lunch bag and shake.

-Place warm donut into bag, close and shake.

`Glazed:

-1/4 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 cups powdered sugar.

-Combine mile and vanilla in a medium sauce pan and heat over low heat until warm.

-Sift powdered sugar into milk mixture.

-Whisk slowly, until well combined.

-Remove the glaze from the heat and set over a bowl of warm water.

-Set a cooling rack on a cookie sheet.

-Dip donuts into the glaze, 1 at a time.

-Place on cooling rack glaze side up.

-Set set for 5 minutes before serving.

`Chocolate Glaze:

-1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup whole milk, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (chopped), 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted).

-Combine butter, milk, corn syrup and vanilla in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until butter is melted.

-Decrease the heat to low, add the chocolate, and whisk until melted.

-Turn off heat, add the powdered sugar, and whisk until smooth.

-Place a cooling rack on a cookie sheet.

-Place the mixture over a bowl of warm water and dip the donuts immediately.

-Allow glaze to set for 30 minutes before serving.