Chocolate/Strawberry Donuts

These little cuties are so heavenly delicious that you won't go again to Dunkin or Krispy Kreme for donuts again. I got this recipe from a tv programme , but made my own adjustments and improvised the recipe after 4 attempts. I love this version more. You can play with your own imagination on the toppings. There are lots and lots of varieties. Chocolate, strawberry and icing sugar are few famous ones, which I've mentioned below.

Ingredients:

(Yields: 12)

1 ½ tsp Instant Yeast

250g White Flour (1 1/3   cups)

1/4 cup Milk Powder

 ½tsp Baking Powder

2 tbsp Caster Sugar

1/4 tsp Salt

50 gButter, melted (4 tbsp)

1 Egg

Lukewarm water to knead (125 ml approximately)*

 Chocolate Icing:

1 cup Icing Sugar

1 tsp Butter

1 tbsp Cocoa Powder

2 tbsp Water

Strawberry glaze:

1 cup Icing Sugar

2-3 tbsp Water

2 drop Strawberry essence

1 drop Pink Color

Method:

1. Mix yeast in lukewarm water and keep it aside until froth appears on top just like in the second picture in the collage below.

click the picture for clear view

2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and milk powder together.

3. Make a well in the centre and pour the yeast mixture, slightly beaten egg and melted butter to it. Mix well in circular motion and turn into a dough using enough water.

4. Spread little oil on top and wrap with a cling film. Let it rise into double the size. It took about an hour for me though it depends on many other factors like the kitchen temperature, humidity etc.

click the picture for clear view

You can see how my finger impressions came out on the dough when it had risen.

5. Now, punch down the dough and knead well. Punching down helps to deflate the dough and let the air bubbles come out of the dough which was formed by the yeast during rising.

6. Take a small portion of the dough, flatten into 1/2 inch thick. cut out into donut shapes using donut cutter or 2 cookie cutters or even 2 bottle caps of different sizes.

7. Keep these cutouts on a tray and let it rise for about an hour or so till it doubles. Otherwise, you can keep in oven to rise. Preheat oven to 200C for about 15 minutes and switch off the oven. Place the donuts tray inside and leave it there for a few minutes till donuts double in size. Don't forget to turn off the oven before you keep the donuts.

click the picture for clear view

8. Fry these risen donuts in medium-low heat oil till they turn brown. Drain on tissue paper and let it cool before icing is done.

Chocolate/Strawberry Icing:

Sift icing sugar and discard the solids. Heat all the ingredients in a pan until sugar melts nicely. Dip donuts one by one into the icing (chocolate/strawberry)  halfway through , take it out and keep it on a tray. Sprinkle chocolate vermicelli ,sprinkles or walnut chunks on top of that if you wish.

Alternatively, for sugar coated donuts; dip these donuts in melted butter and then coat with icing sugar mixed with a pinch of cinnamon powder.

 Notes:
- * The measure of water mentioned here is just an approximate amount. It varies depending on humidity, size of the egg etc.

-The icing thickens easily. If so, heat it again till it melts . You can add more water if needed.


Linking this to Let's Cook for Easter