Bakery Doughnuts

Photo: flickr user stu_spivack

Ingredients

4 cups warm water

4 pkgs. dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/2 cups soft shortening (I use 1 c. butter

1/2 cup Crisco instead)

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon mace (optional)

1 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) (I don't use it)

14 cups flour

1 pound (3 ½ c.) powdered sugar

8 tablespoons boiling water

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup honey

Preparation

(This is a good basic recipe that can be used for dinner rolls or for cinnamon buns if desired. Omit spice if using for rolls.)

Combine water, dry yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar and stir until dissolved. Set aside. Cream together shortening and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, salt, mace and nutmeg and beat well. Then add yeast mixture. Add flour and knead until smooth and elastic.

Place in greased bowl and grease top. Cover and let rise until double. Then roll out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with doughnut cutter. (Or shape into rolls or make buns.) Let rise until double again. Fry in hot fat at about 360 degrees. Dip in powdered sugar or glaze and drain on rack. This makes about 60 doughnuts; very good

Light!

Mix until smooth.

Mix until smooth. Spread on warm doughnuts.