Garma-garam doughnuts

Warm, fragrant and tender, homemade doughnuts are a sweet start to a rainy day. Whip up a batch of these goodies for some soul satisfaction.

Warm, fragrant and tender, homemade doughnuts are a sweet start to a rainy day. Whip up a batch of these goodies for some soul satisfaction.

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There’s something magical about doughnuts. You don’t have to be Homer Simpson to swoon when you’re greeted with all those bright colors and sparkly decorations in a doughnut shop display case. Believe it or not, they’re not hard to make at home.

Basic Varieties

Buttermilk Cake Doughnut: A classic, this is a great place to begin. The method is similar to a cake recipe but with a slightly thicker dough. Leavened with baking powder and a little baking soda, these doughnuts don’t need time to rise.

Devil’s Food Doughnut: For chocolate lovers, there’s nothing like a great devil’s food doughnut. These are made with a technique similar to the buttermilk cake doughnuts. The trick here is adding a good amount of chocolate to the recipe — both melted chocolate and cocoa — for depth of flavour. Add some coffee to help bring out the chocolate flavour.

Glazes
Glazes, the essential doughnut topping, are simple to make. Here are some recipes:
Chocolate: Heat cream, water, butter and a little vanilla, then stir over a bowl of chocolate chunks to melt.
Maple: Whisk together maple syrup with some powdered sugar and browned butter.
Fresh fruit: Whisk chopped or pureed berries with powdered sugar and vanilla.

Devil's Food Doughnuts

Ingredients (Makes about 18)
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate n 3 tbsp butter n 3 cups flour n 2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda n 1/2 tsp salt n 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa n 2 eggs n 2 egg yolks n 1/2 cup sugar n 1/2 cup sour cream n 1 1/2 tsp vanilla n 1/2 cup strong coffee, cooled n Canola oil for frying

Method
In a bowl, combine bittersweet chocolate and butter. Microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate and butter have melted and are combined.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cocoa.

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together eggs, egg yolks and sugar until lightened in colour, 2-3
minutes. Beat in sour cream, vanilla and melted chocolate.

Gently beat half of the flour mixture, a spoonful at a time, into the egg mixture, then beat in the coffee. Continue until a sticky dough is formed.

On a well-floured surface, roll the dough into a round just over one-half inch in thickness. Using a doughnut cutter or 2 biscuit cutters, cut into doughnut shapes.

Fill a deep fryer with oil and heat to 350 degrees. Place doughnuts in the fryer, being careful not to crowd. Fry on each side until puffed and golden, about 4 minutes, flipping every 30 seconds.

Drain on a rack and cool slightly, then frost and decorate as desired.

Buttermilk Doughnuts

Ingredients (Makes about 18)
4 1/4 cups flour n 1 tbsp baking powder n 1/2 tsp baking soda n 3/4 tsp salt n Pinch grated nutmeg n 1/4 tsp cinnamon n 2 eggs n 1 egg yolk

3/4 cup sugar n 1 tsp vanilla n 1 cup buttermilk n 3 tbsp butter, melted

Method
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together eggs and egg yolk with sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.

In a measuring cup, stir together the buttermilk and butter. Alternately beat the dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture into the egg mixture, one-third at a time, until a soft and sticky dough is formed.

With floured hands, remove dough to a floured board and gently roll out until it’s one-half inch thick. Using a doughnut cutter or 2 biscuit cutters, cut into doughnuts shapes.

Fill a deep fryer with oil and heat to 350 degrees.

Gently place the doughnuts in the oil, being careful not to crowd. Fry on each side until puffed and golden, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side.

Drain on a rack and cool slightly, then frost and decorate as desired.

Finally, be sure to enjoy the doughnuts while they are still warm and soft. Pair with a hot mug of coffee and take in the beautiful rainy morning.