Hot Desserts Recipes - Doughnuts Recipe

Ingredients

• 275g/10oz bread flour (plus more for dusting)

• 175g/6oz plain flour (plus extra for dusting)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 8g/1/4oz sachet easy-blend yeast

• 175ml/6fl oz warm milk

• 75g/3oz butter (softened and diced)

• 2 eggs (beaten)

• 75g/3oz caster sugar

• Grated zest of 1 lemon

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Oil for greasing and deep-frying

• Caster sugar for dusting

Serves 10

---

Method:

1. Sift the flours into a bowl with the salt and yeast. Put the warm milk in a food mixer, and turn on at the lowest speed. Pour in the flour mix and add the softened butter a piece at a time.

2. When fully incorporated, add the beaten eggs, one at a time. Then add the sugar, lemon zest and cinnamon, and run the machine for 10 minutes, turning it to full speed for the last 2 minutes.

3. Turn the sticky dough out on to a heavily floured surface and finish kneading by hand, incorporating more of the dusting flour until you have a smooth, elastic ball.

4. Brush this with a little oil, place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with Clingfilm. Leave to rise at room temperature for 2 hours, when it should have doubled in size.

5. Knock down the dough by kneading it lightly, then divide it into 20 equal pieces, and roll them into balls. Make a hole in the centre by pushing your finger through, circling it to enlarge the hole to about 2cm/1/4in in diameter.

6. Put the rings on a floured tray, cover with a cloth and leave to rise for 40 to 50 minutes, when again they will have doubled in size.

7. Heat oil for deep-frying. Fry the doughnuts in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on kitchen paper. Put some caster sugar on a plate and turn the doughnuts in it to coat while they are still warm. Serve when cooled.