Doughnut, Donut what do you call this beautiful round brown pastry that can either be filled with jam or left with a hollow center.

Anytime I think about Doughnuts I mentally sing the theme song of the Donut Repair Club .

Rob Evans (Mr Donut Man) was a big influence in my life as a child through his music and christian ministry to children. I’m thankful he was part of my childhood.

Let me share with you a simple basic Doughnut recipe.

Recipe

(Yeilds 16 – 20)

• All Purpose Flour 400g – 450g (2.5cups – 3 Cups)
• Margarine 100g (Alternatively 1/2 cup vegetable oil)
• Sugar 75g (1/2 cup)
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 Egg
• 1 1/2 tbsp Dry Active Yeast
• 1 cup warm Milk (you can use 1/4 cup powder milk + 3/4 cup Warm Water)
• 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)

Procedure

– Sieve flour into bowl, add yeast and stir, then add sugar, margarine and rub in.

– In another bowl, add warm milk, beaten egg and mix.

– Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour in liquid mixture then. You will get a soft sticky dough

– Knead until elastic or place on a mixer and knead using the dough hook until elastic or smooth.

– Don’t be tempted to add more flour. If kneading on a surface apply oil on the board instead of flour.

– Roll dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl. Cover and leave to rise

– Leave to rise to about double it’s size. Once risen, knock out the air.

– Roll out with a rolling pin, on a lightly floured board. Use a cookie cutter or any round object to cut rounds,

– Place cut out dough on a floured board or preferably parchment paper lined tray.

Cover and leave to rise to double its size.

Adding Jam
– Scoop jam into the middle of rounds , using a pastry brush or the tip of your finger wet outer edges of rounds with water, liquid milk or egg, cover with another round of same size and seal edges allow to rise or double in size, then fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Alternatively instead of filling the middle of the round with jam first, fry till golden brown first then use a syringe to insert jam, custard, pudding… into the doughnut.

For doughnut with a hole

Skip adding jam and use a small cookie cutter or any small round cutter, press it in to cut the hole in the middle.

Cooking.

– Heat up oil till, slightly hot, add the doughnuts on lower medium heat, flipping frequently to ensure it cooks evenly on both sides. Don’t over crowd the oil while frying.

When cool roll in granulated or caster sugar if you want.

• Snacks