Boy what a challenge this was. Not that is was hard to make but I cannot remember the last time I was so excited about a Daring Baker’s challenge. I have been wanting to make doughnuts for a while so this was awesome. I actually also disregarded (again) the rules and used a recipe I had found in a magazine a while back that I really wanted to try: Old Fashion Style Doughnuts. This recipe is from a French magazine called Coup de Pouce. Another reason why I wanted to do this recipe is because there is no yeast, so no waiting. The result is a denser doughnut which I prefer. I brought them to a party and they were a hit!
The October 2010 Daring Bakers challenge was hosted by Lori of Butter Me Up. Lori chose to challenge DBers to make doughnuts. She used several sources for her recipes including Alton Brown, Nancy Silverton, Kate Neumann and Epicurious. If you want to try her recipes with yeast please click here.
And now it is time to make the Donuts!
Old Fashion Style Chocolate Doughnuts
Ingredients
* 4 cups flour, approx
* 1/2 cup cocoa powder
* 1 tbsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp nutmeg
* 3 eggs
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 3 tbsp melted butter
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* frying vegetable oil
* powdered sugar
Preparation
1. In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar until the mixture is pale and thick. Stir in melted butter and milk. Mixing on low speed, gradually add dry ingredients until dough forms a soft ball, less firm than the pastry (if necessary, add up to 1 cup flour t/250). Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough to about 3/8 inch (9 mm) thick. Using a floured cookie cutter about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter, cut out donuts in the dough, then using a small floured cookie cutter about 1 / 2 inch (1 cm), cut holes in the center of each doughnut. Repeat this procedure with remaining dough. ** I happen to go to a cooking store the day before and found doughnut cutters which were a tab bigger.
3. In a large saucepan or deep fryer, heat oil to 365 ° F (185 ° C). Using a slotted spoon, dip the donuts, three or four at a time, into hot oil and cook for 1 minute per side or until browned. Remove donuts from pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Bake the doughnut holes in the same way.*** I also did some twists.
4. Place donuts on a wire rack and cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
A note from Lori: I recommend placing your uncooked doughnut on your slotted spoon first and lowering it into the hot oil that way to reduce the chance of injury. Also, try to always turn the spoon away from you to reduce the chances of oil splashing back up.
As soon as I saw the title of your post…I came running to see what you finally ended concocting with that donut cutter you bought the other day!
You are something else…not only did you sway from the rules (my kind of gal) you seemed to have made quite the amazing batch of chocolate treats!!!
Too bad I wasn’t at that party ;o)
Ciao for now and have a fab week,
Claudia
WOW I love how you used another recipe without yeast, the recipe looks good very intriguing great work and the colour of the doughnuts is stunning with all that cocoa powder. Wonderful work on this challenge. Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australlia.
I love chocolate doughnuts. These look great!
Yum – that looks like a fantastic recipe that you chose. I am sure the chocolate donuts were a huge hit! And I had to laugh, because we spent about half the month saying “time to make the donuts…” all around our house.
As always, awesome job with the challenge.
i love old fashions! so yummy!
I was really excited about this challenge too. It was my first one so naturally I was excited but I’ve wanted to make doughnuts for such a long time. It’s been a while! Your doughnuts look soooo good. They’re definitely calling my name! I could devour them all, yum!! Great job with the challenge, they look wonderful and delicious!
Oh these are an interesting take on the donut! Good job!
This was my first challenge with the DB’s. You are right – it was so fun. Doughnuts are one of my favorite treats – then again I use to be a cop – lol…. Great job Evelyn. To bad we couldn’t all do a doughnut exchange.
They look so chocolatey and delicious. Very well done!!
oh wow! chocolate donuts…. yum yum!!
They look fantastic! I love the cutter you got. I want one, but giving me one of those would be dangerous!
Yummy, what can be better than donuts without all the waiting?? I have to borrow your recipe, they look delicious!
These look great! I’m not surprised they were a party hit. And lol at that commercial!
Ev, I love the title of your post – memories, memories
However, I REALLY love your donuts, especially those choco beauties! You said they didn’t contain yeast, so would they be classified as cake donuts? Beautiful job as always, my friend 