Long John Donuts

How was everyone's Christmas? It definitely went by fast but was a lot of fun and very yummy with all the sweet treats.

So have you ever heard of long johns? No not the seafood the donuts! I never knew they were called long johns. So I decided to tackle them because my boyfriends grandma really likes them and I told her I would try my luck.

Dough Ingredients:
1 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp)
2 Tbsp warm water
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus some for working the dough
1 cup milk, room temperature
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
3 large egg yolks
2 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Canola or other neutral oil for frying 

Let's make the dough... First add your warm water and room temp milk to the bowl of your stand mixer. Sprinkle in the yeast. Add the rest of the dough ingredients, the flour being the last addition. Use a dough hook to mix. The dough should come away from the sides of the bowl. If you don't have a stand mixer you can mix everything by hand with a wooden spoon. 

Next put your dough ball in a greased bowl and let rise for 2 hours. 

Something about rising dough...it's so cool :) 
When your dough has risen, turn it onto a floured surface and roll out into a big rectangle and slice into 12 equal pieces. 

Let your pieces rise again for 15-20 mins. During this time you can get your oil heated up to fry them. Bring your oil to 350 degrees and fry each side for 2-3 minutes and drain on a paper towel. 

Now time for the yummy filling!

Filling Ingredients: 
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups vegetable shortening
1 tsp clear vanilla extract
8 cups powdered sugar

Using a sauce pan on medium high heat dissolve the granulated sugar and water. Remove from the heat once boiling. Let cool completely then pour into a mixing bowl.

Mix in oil, shortening an extract on high. Beat in powdered sugar one cup at a time. It should be nice and fluffy. If it is too stiff add a table spoon of water until it's fluffy and smooth. 

To fill the donuts I used a knife to hollow out the center and I used a pastry bag to pipe in the frosting. 

Now for the finishing touch...chocolate frosting. mmmmmm!

Chocolate Topping Ingredients: 
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 Tbsp milk
1 Tsp light corn syrup
1 Tsp vanilla extract
3 oz bittersweet chocolate
1-2 cups powdered sugar




Heat the liquid ingredients and butter until hot. Do not boil. Stir in the chocolate until melted. Off the heat whisk in the powdered sugar. Spread on the donuts and ENJOY!!!

It's a little bit of work but soooo worth it. They were a hit! 

Happy Sweet Tooth Saturday!