Hanging out at Home!!

Vela is finally getting back to her normal self. She was so sick this weekend she lost 4 pounds! That's a ton for a 32 pound little babe. Needless to say we've been hanging out at home a lot! We've done a LOT of coloring and practicing writing our alphabet.
We of course had a mellow Valentines Day. We had our shrimp boil and Hema cooked up some steaks. Little Hema loves shrimp and was in heaven! We've also been enjoying watching the Olympics. Tonight I was watching the snowboarding with Little Hema our conversation went as follows:

Hema: "You know what would make this better? If we had some doughnuts to eat while we watch!"

Me: "Mommy doesn't know how to make doughnuts."

Hema: "So you know how to cook everything so yummy except doughnuts?"

Me (Feeling pretty confident in my cooking after that statement!): "I guess I'll find a recipe and you can help me make some."

So, we made doughnuts and honestly they were so much easier than I had expected and way tastier than I thought they'd be. I used a canning jar to cut them out and a melon baller to cut the hole in the middle. Little Hema was so pleased! I will definitely make these again some time. But only if we have some visitors - the recipe makes 24 and I've already had 2. I've got to get rid of these first thing in the morning or I might be in trouble!!

Here's the recipe. It's a Krispy Kreme copycat and it's really good. Give them a try!!

Doughnuts
2 (1/4 ounce) packages yeast
1/4 cup warm water

1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
5 cupsall-porpose flour
canola oil

Creamy Glaze This is really good!!

1/3 cup butter I used margarine and it was fine.
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4-6 tablespoons hot water

Chocolate frosting I didn't frost mine.
1/3 cup butter
2 cups powdered suger
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4-6 tablespoons hot water
4 ounces milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Dissolve yeast in warm water in 2 1/2-quart bowl.
Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour.
Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.
Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Stir in remaining flour until smooth.
Cover and let rise until double, 50-60 minutes.
(Dough is ready when indentation remains when touched.) Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.
Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin.
Cut with floured doughnut cutter.
Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.
Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350degrees. This was too hot - I turned the heat down to 325 degrees and it was much better!
Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula.
Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface.
Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side.
Remove carefully from oil (do not prick surface); drain.
Dip the doughnuts into creamy glaze set on rack then when slightly cooled spread chocolate frosting on top.
Dip in sprinkles or other toppings after chocolate if desired.
Creamy Glaze: Heat butter until melted.
Remove from heat.
Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.
Chocolate Frosting: Heat butter and chocolate over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.