Yeast Doughnuts

Ingredients

• 2 (.25-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 5 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
2. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double in size. Cover loosely with a cloth.
3. Heat oil to 375°F. Slide doughnuts into the preheated oil two at a time. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry each doughnut about 90 seconds per side. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.

Icing:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 tablespoons hot water or as needed

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in confectioners sugar and vanilla until smooth.
3. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.

Serves: 18