Old Fashion Buttermilk Donuts

I love donuts and a friend of mine gave me this recipe to try.  She received it from a friend's friend.  So this donut recipe has been passed around.   It is delicious.  It does take a little practice getting it just right.  As you can see, some of my donuts were a little over done.  However, I will be making this recipe again and hopefully my frying skills will improve. 

Glazed and waiting to dry!

They do look gorgeous!

Removed from the fryer.

Some were a little darker than I would have liked.  Becareful not to over do it. 

I think this takes some practice frying to perfection.

Recipe:
Unknown source (written from recipe I received)
Recommended cake batter temperature 74-76°F
Large pot for frying


INGREDIENTS:
3 eggs, room temperature
1 ⅓ cups sugar
½ cup vegetable oil or shortening (pre-melted)
1 1/2 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp. salt
4 ½ -5 cups all purpose or soft flour
5 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¾ cup buttermilk

In a mixing bowl with paddle, incorporate eggs with sugar on medium speed until creamy and thick. Add in oil and vanilla and mix for 30-45 seconds. Incorporate dry ingredients alternately adding buttermilk to desired thickness and mix for about two minutes on medium speed. Allow batter to rest 10 minutes prior to
rolling.

Note: Don't worry if your batter looks too thick, you can add water. Avoid a thin mix and adding flour.

Roll until it's 1/2" on bakers table or board. Cut with donut or biscuit cutter. Fry at 365F° in large pan or mini-fryer.  Be very cautious when frying!! Yields 24 donuts.

A few more tips that were on the original recipe ( I might try a few on my next batch):
(1)You can use this recipe to make donut holes. Just let the dough sit for a little bit longer after adding in the baking powder allowing it to "activate."

(2)If you notice that after you fry your donuts that they brown or blacken, use less sugar next time.

(3)If the donuts turn out too greasy, they absorbed too much oil from the fryer.

An easy fix: next time, reduce shortening to said donut recipe and make sure oil is 370F.

You can use a plain donut glaze or Chocolate Frosting to cover your donuts. Recipes below:

Plain Donut Glaze

• 2 cups powder sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 -6 tablespoons hot water 

Chocolate frosting

• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 cups powder sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 -6 tablespoons hot water
• 4 ounces milk chocolate chips or 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions for Glazes:

1. Plain Donut Glaze:  In a large bowl add powder sugar, vanilla and stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.  It should be thin enough to cover the entire donut, place on glazing rack or cooling rack so excess can drip off. 
2. Chocolate Frosting: Heat butter and chocolate over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
4. Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.  Place on glazing rack after dipping.