Homemade Donuts

Ingredients

500 grams of 00 flour (approximately 4 cups)
250 ml of milk (approximately 1 cup)
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon of butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of dry yeast
Zest of 1 lemon
Sugar (for coating)
Seed oil (for frying)

Directions

Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, warm 250 ml of milk (not too hot) and add 1 tablespoon of dry yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 grams of 00 flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
Add the zest of 1 lemon to the dry ingredients for extra flavor.
In a separate bowl, whisk 1 egg and add it to the flour mixture along with the milk and yeast mixture.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add it to the mixture.
Mix all the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.

Knead the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Shape the Donuts:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
Roll out the dough to about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thickness.Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large and one small) to cut out donut shapes from the dough.
Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a cloth and let them rise again for 30 minutes.

Fry the Donuts:
Heat seed oil in a deep pan to 180°C (350°F).
Carefully drop the donuts into the hot oil, frying a few at a time. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove the donuts from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.

Coat and Serve:
While the donuts are still warm, roll them in sugar to coat.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions
Enjoy the donuts plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Dip them in chocolate glaze or top with your favorite icing.
Serve with a side of jam or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.

Cooking Tips
Proofing: Make sure to allow the dough to rise in a warm place to achieve the fluffiest donuts.
Oil Temperature: Maintain the oil temperature at 180°C (350°F) to ensure the donuts cook evenly and don’t absorb too much oil.
Cutting the Dough: Use a floured cutter to prevent the dough from sticking.