#ronniewoo

Blood Orange Donuts

(Makes about one dozen large donuts)

2 ½ tablespoons of warm water

1 package of active-dry yeast

2/3 cups + 1 tablespoon of whole milk, heated in microwave for one minute, then cooled

¼ cup of sugar

1 tablespoon of fresh blood orange zest

½ teaspoon of salt

1 egg

2 ½ tablespoons of vegetable shortening

2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

Canola Oil for Frying

Glaze:

3 tablespoons of butter, room temperature

2 cups of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

2-3 tablespoons of fresh blood orange juice

Garnish:

Fresh blood orange segments

Blood orange zest

Instructions:

1.     In a stand mixer, sprinkle all of the yeast into the warm water. Let it rest for 2 minutes before mixing. Let rest for 10 minutes until it begins to foam.

2.     To the yeast mixture, add the milk, sugar, orange zest, salt, eggs, shortening, and 1½ cups of flour. Attach the dough hook and turn on low speed for 30 seconds, remembering to scrape the sides every once in a while.

3.     Slowly add the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time and mix for about 2 more minutes. Again, remembering to scrape the sides down. Add more flour, if needed, just until the dough is soft but no longer sticky.

4.     Form dough into a ball and place back into the stand mixer bowl.

5.     Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes.

6.     After the dough has risen, turn the dough onto a floured surface and with a floured rolling pin gently roll dough to about ½-inch thickness.

7.     Cut with floured biscuit cutters (or any desired shape).

8.     Cover and let rise until double in size, about 30 minutes.

9.     In the meantime, make the glaze.

10.  Melt the butter and transfer to a bowl. Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.

11. Whisk in the orange juice 1 tablespoon at a time until you get a thick slow-running consistency. Set aside.

12. In a deep pan or cast-iron skillet, use a candy thermometer to heat up about 2-3-inches of canola oil to 350 degrees.

13. When the oil is properly heated, gently place the donuts in the oil, cook each side for about 45-60 seconds, until they are golden brown.

14. Place donuts on rack to drain and cool.

15. When cooled, dip the donuts (one or both sides) in the glaze and place back onto the rack to allow for any excess glaze to drip off.