TO MAKE THESE DONUTS:
- The oil will take a while to heat up, so get it started while making the dough for the donuts. Pour enough oil into a large pot to give you about an inch of oil. Heat oil to 365°F over medium-high heat. You must use a thermometer; no guesswork is allowed here! Use a frying thermometer or a candy thermometer to ensure proper temperature. While the oil is heating, you can prepare the donuts (keep an eye on the oil temperature).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients; flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all of your wet ingredients; buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter.
- Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture, and using a fork, mix just until combined. Do not over-mix. If the dough is too wet, you can add more flour. Start by adding 1 tablespoon and mix. If you still need more, repeat by adding another tablespoon of flour. The dough should be sticky but easy to work with.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ½ inch thickness with a floured rolling pin. Then, using a 2¾ inch pastry cutter and a 1-inch pastry cutter (I use this cutter set), cut out donuts and donut holes, placing cut donuts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or cutting board. Re-roll as needed to use all the dough. You can use a bigger donut cutter, but keep in mind the recipe will yield fewer donuts than the recipe indicates.
- Once the oil has reached 365°F, place no more than three donuts in the oil at a time. Add too many, and you run the risk of cooling your oil too much. Fry for about 2 minutes, flipping once after 1 minute. Donuts are done when they are golden brown on both sides. Move to a paper towel-lined cooling rack to cool.**Keep an eye on the oil temperature and adjust the heat up or down to maintain a temperature of 355°F to 365°F.** (See Tips and Tricks below for more information on frying).
- Allow fried donuts to cool for 1 minute before rolling them in the sugar, be sure to coat all sides. If you allow them to cool too much, the sugar will not stick to the donuts.
- Continue the process until all donuts are fried and coated with sugar.
- Fry donut holes using the same method, frying no more than 12 at a time.
Please continue to the next page (>) for the full list of ingredients and complete cooking instructions. Enjoy this meal!
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