Homemade Glazed Doughnuts

Make these sweet, pillowy circles—plus your pick of the glaze—in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Makes about 30 doughnuts

Ingredients:

For the doughnuts

2 tablespoons instant yeast

1/4 cup warm water

2 cups cake flour

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

4 egg yolks

1/3 cup butter

1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk

2 tablespoons flour for kneading

For the chocolate glaze

200 grams finely chopped bittersweet chocolate 

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the caramel glaze

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure:

1  Dissolve yeast in warm water.

2  In a bowl, combine both flours, salt, and sugar; mix well. 

3  In a mixing bowl, put in egg yolks, butter, milk, and yeast mixture. Attach the dough hook in the electric mixer and mix ingredients at low speed, adding 2 cups of the flour mixture a little at a time. Stop machine every now and then to scrape the sides of the bowl. 

4  Stir in remaining flour until smooth and increase speed to medium for about 2 minutes until dough begins to pull away from the bowl.

5  Sprinkle flour for kneading on a clean table; knead dough until all the flour is incorporated. Form into a ball and transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic and let rise in a warm place until dough doubles in size, about 50 to 60 minutes.  (Learn How to Knead by Hand)

6  Punch down the dough, transfer to the floured surface, and roll around lightly to coat with flour. Gently roll dough until half-inch-thick using a floured rolling pin.  (Learn How to Proof Dough)

7  Cut with floured doughnut cutter. Cover and let rise until they double in size, about 30 to 40 minutes. 

8  Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer at 350ºF. Fry doughnuts on both sides until golden. 

9  Make the chocolate glaze: In a double boiler, place chocolate and oil and melt completely. Dip cooled doughnuts in the glaze and set on rack.

10  Make the caramel glaze:  In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and dissolve sugar completely. Cook syrup until golden caramel in color. Stir in heavy cream and butter, and mix until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Dip cooled doughnuts in the glaze and set on rack.