Homemade Baked Doughnuts

These are VERY good; and actually very easy!  I found the recipe from Make lemonade and more!  

The original recipe calls for a Maple "Icing" which I think is more like a thick frosting.  Its okay.  The second time I made these I just made a glaze of powdered sugar, milk and vanilla; the kid's like this even better than the Maple Icing.  

You know how I like to take bread/dough recipes and make them easier; well, I made these even easier by making the dough in my breadmaker!  Why not!?!

They were a huge hit with the kids and the hubby.  The kids ate the leftovers for snacks and dessert until they were gone.

Ingredients for Doughnuts:

-1 1/2 cups milk

-1/3 cup shortening {I used butter flavored}

-1/4 cup water

-4 tbsp sugar

-2 tsp salt

-2 eggs

-5 cups flour

-2 tsp cinnamon {could be optional, you decide}

-2 envelopes yeast {4 1/2 tsp total}

Ingredients for Maple "Icing":

-1/3 cup butter

-1 cup brown sugar

-1/4 cup milk

-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

-2 tsp maple extract {or any other extract to flavor your icing to your liking}

-1/8 tsp salt

Ingredients for Vanilla Glaze:    {makes about 1/2 cup}

-1 cup powdered sugar

-1 1/2 tbsp milk

-1/2 tsp vanilla extract {or any other extract to flavor your icing to your liking}

Process for Doughnuts:

1. Combine milk, shortening and water in a microwave safe dish.  Microwave until warm, about 110 degrees.

2. Pour milk mixture into bread machine pan.

3. Top with remaining doughnut ingredients in the order listed.

4. Set bread maker to the dough setting and allow cycle to run through.

5. Remove dough to a floured or oiled surface.  

I found that the excess flour stopped the icing from sticking;
I used oil the second time, worked great.

6. Roll dough out until it is about 1 inch thickness all over.

7. Use a pizza cutter or bench scraper to cut the dough into 12 to 18 pieces.

8. Place pieces on a greased or lined baking sheets.

9. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for about 30 minutes.  

10. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Make Maple "Icing" if using while oven is preheating {process below}.
11. Bake risen doughnuts for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.

12. Remove doughnuts to a wire rack to cool slightly, enough to handle.

 

13. Make icing while doughnuts cool just slightly.

Process for Maple "Icing":

1. Combine butter, brown sugar and milk in a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for 3 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.

4. Add maple extract, salt and powdered sugar and blend well.  {Add more powdered sugar or a bit of water or milk if needed.}

Process for Vanilla Icing:
1. Combine/beat all ingredients in a bowl.  {Add more powdered sugar or a bit of water or milk if needed.}
2. Drizzle or spread over doughnuts.

*My kids and hubby really like them sprinkled with chocolate and rainbow colored sprinkles!

Frost or ice doughnuts while warm and enjoy!

Don't take a picture of me...

...take a picture of me!

ENJOY!