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### Instructions:
1. **Activate the Yeast**: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (around 110°F/43°C) and a tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and stir gently. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly.
2. **Make the Dough**: In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, salt, and nutmeg (if using). Add the yeast mixture, eggs, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until a sticky dough forms. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook or knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. **Let the Dough Rise**: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
4. **Shape the Doughnuts**: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about ½-inch thick. Use a doughnut cutter (or two round cutters—one larger and one smaller for the hole) to cut out doughnut shapes. Gather any leftover dough and reroll it to make more doughnuts.
5. **Fry the Doughnuts**: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop the doughnuts into the hot oil, a few at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each doughnut for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the doughnuts and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
6. **Make the Glaze**: While the doughnuts are cooling slightly, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add more milk if you prefer a thinner glaze.
7. **Glaze the Doughnuts**: Once the doughnuts have cooled for a couple of minutes, dip each one into the glaze, making sure it’s fully coated. Let any excess glaze drip off before placing the doughnut on a cooling rack. Repeat for all doughnuts.
8. **Serve and Enjoy**: Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your fresh, homemade glazed doughnuts while they’re still warm!
### Tips for the Perfect Doughnuts:
– **Don’t Overcrowd the Oil**: Fry the doughnuts in batches to ensure they cook evenly and get that perfect golden color. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature, resulting in soggy doughnuts.
– **Flour Your Surface**: When rolling out the dough, make sure your work surface is lightly floured to prevent sticking.
– **Customize Your Glaze**: You can experiment with different glazes by adding flavors like chocolate, maple, or cinnamon. Just substitute the vanilla extract with other flavorings or add cocoa powder for a chocolate glaze.
– **Use a Thermometer**: To get the oil at the right temperature, a kitchen thermometer is helpful. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will burn on the outside while staying raw inside. If it’s too cool, they’ll absorb too much oil and become greasy.
### Why This Recipe Works:
The **yeast dough** gives these doughnuts their signature soft, airy texture, while the **golden frying** creates a crisp exterior that contrasts beautifully with the fluffy inside. The **glaze** adds just the right amount of sweetness, and since it’s homemade, you can control the consistency to match your preferences.
### Pairing Suggestions:
These doughnuts are perfect with a cup of **coffee**, **milk**, or **hot chocolate**. They also pair wonderfully with fresh fruit, or you can serve them as a sweet breakfast alongside scrambled eggs and bacon for a balanced meal.
### Final Thoughts:
Making **Homemade Glazed Doughnuts** from scratch is easier than you might think, and the results are truly worth the effort. Whether you enjoy them with a morning coffee, serve them at a brunch, or indulge as an afternoon treat, these doughnuts are sure to become a favorite. Light, fluffy, and dripping with sweet glaze, they’ll have everyone saying, “Mmm, delicious!”
Get ready to experience the joy of biting into a warm, fresh doughnut that’s made with love—and enjoy every sweet, irresistible bite!
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