Sourdough Cake Donuts

You can leave these plain or dipped in cinnamon sugar or glaze.  I haven't tried them dipped in chocolate, but I'm sure it's good.

SOURDOUGH CAKE DONUTS

(makes 1 1/2 dozen)

Ingredients:

*2/3 cup sweet stiff starter (or sourdough starter)

*1/4 cup milk (I use whole milk)

*1/4 cup butter

*1/4 cup granulated sugar

*2 large eggs, beaten

*2 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

*Cinnamon sugar or glaze  (optional)

Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, add 2/3 cup sweet stiff starter (or sourdough starter).

~In a medium saucepan, heat until 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until the milk just starts to bubble and the butter is melted.

~Cool mixture down.

~Add cooled milk mixture to sweet stiff starter, stir until starter has completely dissolved and mixture is smooth.

~Add 2 large beaten eggs, mix until eggs have disappeared. 

~In a medium bowl whisk 2 1/3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg together.

~Add flour mixture to milk mixture and stir until well combined.

~Place dough onto a clean surface and knead dough for 4-5 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic (only dust with flour if the dough is sticking to the surface).

~Place back in bowl and cover with a towel and allow to sit on counter overnight (if it's over 70 degrees in your house, place in refrigerator overnight).

~Place dough on a clean surface and roll out dough to about 1/2 inch thick (if dough is sticking, lightly flour surface).

~Using a donut cutter, cut out doughnuts and place on a parchment line cookie sheet.

~Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to rise for 2-3 hours.

~Place about 1 cup cinnamon sugar in a bowl.

~Fill a dutch oven (or heavy bottom deep skillet) with 3 1/2 - 4 inches of vegetable oil.

~Bring heat up to 350 degrees over medium heat.

~Carefully put 2 to 3 donuts in hot oil, cooking about 1 - 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until a golden brown.

~Remove from oil and place bowl with cinnamon sugar (coating both sides).

~Remove from heat and place on a cooling rack.

~Repeat until donuts and donut holes are all cooked.