My Mom's Raised Doughnuts

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(236)

I used to make this recipe for my Mom's raised doughnuts with my Mom when I was a little girl. She would make dozens a week and give to neighborhood kids. I would coat them with that ooey good frosting. I won a blue ribbon with this recipe. It was also featured and put in newspapers all over the USA. Then, it was voted one of the 100 top recipes in the 2011 Members Choice cookbook. The doughnuts are like eating a flavored cloud. They're so light and fluffy. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

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Prep Time:
1 hr
Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs
Servings:
24
Yield:
2 dozen doughnuts
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • ½ cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees F/40 to 45 degrees C)

  • ¾ cup milk

  • cup vegetable shortening

  • ¼ cup white sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

  • 2 eggs

  • 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

  • 1 tablespoon warm water

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

  1. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon white sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in a small bowl. Let stand until it forms a creamy foam layer on top, 5 to 10 minutes.

  2. Heat milk and vegetable shortening in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until shortening melted and tiny bubbles appear around edges. Remove from heat.

  3. Place 1/4 cup white sugar and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; add milk mixture. Beat on low speed until sugar is just dissolved; let stand until warm.

  4. Beat in 1 cup flour, yeast mixture, and eggs on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining 3 cups flour until forms a soft dough.

  5. Continue beating dough on low speed until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 2 to 3 minutes.

  6. Turn out dough onto a well-floured work surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 2 to 3 minutes.

  7. Form dough into a ball; place into a large greased bowl and grease top of dough. Cover the bowl with waxed paper and let dough rise a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

  8. Punch down dough; roll out on a floured work surface until 1/2-inch thick. Cut out doughnuts with a 3 1/2-inch round doughnut cutter with a 1-inch center cutter. Let doughnuts rise on the work surface until very light and fluffy, 40 to 60 minutes.

  9. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  10. Gently pick up and carefully drop doughnuts into the hot oil in batches of 2 or 3; fry until light golden brown, flipping once, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining doughnuts.

  11. Transfer doughnuts to paper towels to drain.

  12. Combine 1 tablespoon warm water and vanilla extract in a bowl; stir in confectioners' sugar to make the glaze. Spread a thin layer of glaze over warm doughnuts.

Cook’s Note

This recipe is not recommended for use with self-rising flour. I also use canola oil to fry but Mom used solid shortening. I don't remember oil being around then. Both work equally well.

If you don't have a doughnut cutter, cut out doughnuts with a No. 2 can (20 ounce can) that has been opened with a sharp-bladed can opener to ensure a sharp cutting edge. Use a pill bottle to make center holes.

475 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

207 Calories
11g Fat
24g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 207
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 107mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 3g 6%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 51mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.