BEST DONUT TOPPINGS RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the milk until it is warm but not hot, about 90 degrees. In a large bowl, combine it with the yeast. Stir lightly, and let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, beat the eggs, butter, sugar and salt into the yeast mixture. Add half of the flour (2 cups plus 2 tablespoons), and mix until combined, then mix in the rest of the flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add more flour, about 2 tablespoons at a time, if the dough is too wet. If you’re using an electric mixer, the dough will probably become too thick to beat; when it does, transfer it to a floured surface, and gently knead it until smooth. Grease a large bowl with a little oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl, and cover. Let rise at room temperature until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
• Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, and roll it to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out the doughnuts with a doughnut cutter, concentric cookie cutters or a drinking glass and a shot glass (the larger one should be about 3 inches in diameter), flouring the cutters as you go. Reserve the doughnut holes. If you’re making filled doughnuts, don’t cut out the middle. Knead any scraps together, being careful not to overwork, and let rest for a few minutes before repeating the process.
• Put the doughnuts on two floured baking sheets so that there is plenty of room between each one. Cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place until they are slightly puffed up and delicate, about 45 minutes. If your kitchen isn’t warm, heat the oven to 200 at the beginning of this step, then turn off the heat, put the baking sheets in the oven and leave the door ajar.
• About 15 minutes before the doughnuts are done rising, put the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, and heat it to 375. Meanwhile, line cooling racks, baking sheets or plates with paper towels.
• Carefully add the doughnuts to the oil, a few at a time. If they’re too delicate to pick up with your fingers (they may be this way only if you rose them in the oven), use a metal spatula to pick them up and slide them into the oil. It’s O.K. if they deflate a bit; they’ll puff back up as they fry. When the bottoms are deep golden, after 45 seconds to a minute, use a slotted spoon to flip; cook until they’re deep golden all over. Doughnut holes cook faster. Transfer the doughnuts to the prepared plates or racks, and repeat with the rest of the dough, adjusting the heat as needed to keep the oil at 375. Glaze or fill as follows, and serve as soon as possible.

Steps:

• Preheat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
• Place 1 cup warm water in a bowl and sprinkle with yeast and granulated sugar. Allow mixture to bubble and then add egg, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, butter, and flour. Knead mixture until a smooth dough forms, about 7 minutes.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and place in a warm dry area. Let rise 30 minutes.
• Punch down risen dough and roll out 1 inch thick on a floured surface. Using a small circle cutter, cut out holes and place them on a greased baking sheet. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise another 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Combine milk and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. Set aside and let cool slightly.
• Once oil reaches 365°F, carefully drop in doughnut holes, a few at a time, and fry on each side  4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
• Dip each doughnut hole in glaze and roll in decoration of choice. Place on a cooling rack and let glaze set. Skewer each on a bamboo skewer and serve.