Maine Molasses Donut Recipes

THE BEST OLD-FASHIONED DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt and the nutmeg in a large bowl until completely combined. Whisk together 2/3 cup of the buttermilk, the sour cream, eggs, yolks, 1 tablespoon of the vanilla paste and the oil in a medium bowl until completely combined. Fold the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients just until a soft and sticky dough comes together (do not overwork).
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and liberally dust with flour (about 1/3 cup).
• Scrape the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Dust your hands and the top of the dough with more flour, then gently pat the dough to 3/4-inch thick.
• Working on the baking sheet, punch out as many rounds as you can with a 3 1/4-inch cutter. Then use a 1 1/4-inch cutter to punch out the center of each round. Dip the cutters in flour before each cut to avoid sticking. Gather the dough scraps and gently re-roll without overworking the dough. Repeat cutting until all the dough has been used (you should have 8 doughnuts).
• Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and line a second rimmed baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. Fit a large heavy pot with a deep-fry thermometer and pour in oil to a depth of 3 inches. Heat over medium-high until the thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Fry the doughnuts in batches until deep golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the wire rack and let cool slightly. Fry the doughnut holes until deep golden brown, about 90 seconds per side. Transfer to the wire rack and let drain for 1 minute. Then transfer to the paper-towel lined baking sheet to cool for 10 minutes before glazing. (This two-step process gets a lot more oil out of the doughnuts than using only one method.) Repeat with the remaining dough, making sure the oil returns to temperature between batches.
• Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, the remaining 6 tablespoons buttermilk, the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla paste and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until the glaze is smooth and the consistency of honey; add more confectioners' sugar or buttermilk if necessary.
• Dip each doughnut into the glaze on one side (we like the craggy side, it has more texture for an appetizing appearance), letting the excess drip back into the bowl, then return it to the wire rack. Toss the doughnut holes in the glaze to coat completely and return to the wire rack. Let the glaze set for 10 minutes before serving.

MOLASSES DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients together very well.
• Beat egg; add molasses, sour milk and melted butter and mix well.
• Add dry ingredients and blend thoroughly.
• Preheat oil to 370F in a large saucepan or stockpot.
• Roll dough out on a floured board to 1/4" thickness.
• Cut with a floured doughnut cutter.
• Fry until brown, turn and brown on other side.
• Drain on paper towels and dust with sugar or confectioners' sugar, if desired.

SPICED MOLASSES DOUGHNUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix cocoa and oil until smooth. Beat in brown sugar, molasses, 1/4 cup water and egg. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, spices and salt; gradually beat into cocoa mixture. If necessary, add additional water to form a stiff dough., Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface; knead a few times, forming a smooth dough. Divide dough in half; roll each portion to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. doughnut cutter. Place , doughnut and doughnut-hole cutouts 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake 7-9 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, vanilla and salt until smooth. If necessary, beat in additional milk to reach spreading consistency. Spread over cookies. Sprinkle with jimmies. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

MOLASSES DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Cream sugar and butter together. Add milk, eggs and molasses. Mix well. Mix ands sift remaining ingredients. Add to liquid mixture and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours.
• Turn out on a lightly floured board and roll to 1/2 inch thickness - cut with doughnut cutter.
• Fry in deep hot fat, 375F, until golden brown. Sprinkle with sugar.