This recipe comes from my good friend and a talented chef that used to work with both myself and Elaine. He knows his doughnuts.

Ingredients

Makes: approx 12/14 doughnuts

  • 375g plain flour - sieved extra for dusting
  • 1 tbsp baking powder - sieved
  • 1/2 tsp mixed spice
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh nutmeg
  • Juice of 1/2 orange
  • 55g unsalted butter
  • 95g caster sugar
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 50 ml cream
  • 50 ml full fat milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 drops vanilla extract
  • Oil for deep frying and for brushing the doughnuts
  • Sugar for dusting or frosting for finishing if you prefer.

Shawnie's American Doughnut Frosting 

  • 75g butter
  • 200g icing sugar - sieved
  • 60ml full fat milk
  • 2 drops vanilla essense

Method

  1. Preheat a small fat frier to 175oC
  2. Cream the sugar and butter together until white and fluffy in a mixer. Slowly mix in the eggs one at a time. When the eggs are combined add the milk, cream, vanilla extract and orange juice. Mix until all is combined and smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Add the flour mix to the egg and cream mix and combine until all is mixed and a dough forms. Cover with a damp towel and leave rest for 30 mins.
  4. On a floured work surface roll out the dough until about 2cm in thickness. At this stage you will need 2 cutter, 1 large (7cm) and 1 small (2cm). Flour the large cutter and cut the dough in rounds. You can keep bringing the extra dough together and re-roll and cut until it's all gone.
  5. Using the smaller cutter cut a ring in the centre of the dough. Roll the centre cut pieces into rounds. Place the doughnuts on a tray lined with greaseproof paper and rub each with a little bit of oil to stop the cracking. Cover with clingfilm and leave for 30 mins.
  6. When ready carefully place the doughnuts into the hot oil, one at a time. You will have to cook the doughnuts in batches.
  7. After 2-3 mins turn the doughnuts over and cook for 2-3 mins more, until golden in colour. Remove from the oil and allow to cool slightly.
  8. Roll the doughnuts in sugar flavoured with a little cinnamon on dip them in the frosting of your choice. Doughnuts are best served warm.

Shawnie's American Doughnut Frosting 

  1. Melt the butter and mix through the icing sugar.
  2. Separately warm the mil and vanilla and mix into the butter and sugar.
  3. Dip the doughnuts, when still warm but not hot, into the frosting and allow to cool and dry on a wire rack. As they cool the frosting will crisp up.