Baked Doughnuts!

  I remember as a child being in my grandmother's kitchen with her, making doughnuts.  She would deep fry them and my job was to coat them in icing sugar when they were cool enough.  I think my love for baking started then.  There was a very special feeling I had, being in Grandma's kitchen with her, chatting and making something yummy.  It was a simple joy that I still feel today every time I bake something for my family. 

Times have changed a little since I was young and in Grandma's kitchen,  I don't deep fry anything, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the same treats!  Enter Baked Doughnuts!  Sooo light, Soooo fluffy, Sooo Yummy!!  These do take a little time to make, but the excitement on my children's face when they came home from school to find a counter lined with just glazed doughnuts was worth every second!  Nothing can ever beat homemade!!!!

Give these a try, you will be glad you did! 

To make Baked Doughnuts, you will need:

• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 1/4 tsp quick rise yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

For the Glaze, you will need:

• 2 1/2 cups icing sugar
• approximately 3 Tbsp water
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• sprinkles!

  Place milk in the microwave for 60 seconds to warm.  Pour into a stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook.  Sprinkle yeast over milk, stir and let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.

  Add sugar, butter and egg to yeast and mix.

Gradually add flour, increasing speed to medium high, until dough forms a ball and pulls away clean from the side of the bowl,about 7 minutes. Add a little more flour to achieve ball, if necessary.

Transfer dough to a greased bowl, oil the top of the dough and cover with plastic wrap.  Place in a warm area to rise, until doubled, about 1 hour.

Roll out the dough on a greased cutting board to 1/2 " thick, and cut rounds with a 2" cookie cutter.  Use a 1" cookie cutter to cut out center.  Transfer doughnuts and holes to parchment lined cookie sheets.

Cover with a damp towel and let rise for 45 minutes, until doubled.  Bake at 350 degrees F in the center of the oven for 10 minutes, until golden.  Allow to cool completely on wire rack.

Combine icing sugar, vanilla and water to desired consistency (do not make too thin).  Dip doughnuts in  glaze and top with sprinkles immediately.

ENJOY!!!