Cinnamon Doughnuts

By Lee

Doughnut tips:

Don't throw out the centres. Re-roll them to make more doughnuts or make custard gems. Deepfry the centres for 40 seconds each side or until golden and puffed. Spoon 180g (3/4 cup) bought thick vanilla custard into a piping bag fitted with a 5mm nozzle. Push the nozzle into gems and pipe in custard. Toss in cinnamon sugar.
For evenly shaped doughnuts, rest the dough after rolling and before cutting. This prevents the dough from shrinking.
Don't have a deep-fryer? Add oil to a large, deep saucepan to reach a depth of 8cm. Heat to 180C over high heat. When it's ready a cube of bread will turn golden in 15 seconds. Or, test with a wooden spoon - when the oil bubbles around the spoon, it's ready.
Make your own vanilla sugar by combining caster sugar and split vanilla beans in a jar. Infuse for a few weeks and then use it to coat doughnuts.

Ingredients

• 490 g (3 1/4 cups) plain flour
• 55 g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
• 3 teaspoons dried yeast
• Pinch of salt
• 250 ml (1 cup) milk, warmed
• 100 g butter, melted
• 3 egg yolks
• Canola oil, to deep-fry
• 215 g (1 cup) caster sugar, extra
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Details

Adapted from taste.com.au

Preparation

Step 1

Step 1
Combine flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a bowl. Make a well. Mix in milk, butter and egg until dough starts to come together – it may be sticky.
Step 2
Knead on a well-floured surface until smooth. Place in a greased bowl. Cover. Prove for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.
Step 3
Punch down the dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 2 minutes or until smooth. Roll out dough until 1cm thick. Rest dough for 2 minutes.
Step 4
Use an 8cm round cutter to cut out discs. Use a 3.5cm round cutter to cut out centres. Place on a lined tray. Set aside for 15 minutes to rise slightly.
Step 5
Combine extra sugar and cinnamon on a tray. Heat oil to 180°C. Deep-fry 4-5 doughnuts for 40 seconds each side or until puffed and golden.
Step 6
Transfer the doughnuts to the sugar mixture and turn to coat. Repeat, in 3 more batches, with remaining doughnuts.