Hey all this is Mindika (most people call me Mindi), I blog over at Mindika Moments. I’m thrilled to be guest blogging here at Or So She Says!
I am a full time wife and mom. Like most moms I work very hard and have to stay on top of my game to accomplish everything that is required of me. I don’t always succeed, but I do my best and hope that it’s good enough. I grew up as a military brat, traveling the world. I didn’t get married until I was 32 and had my first child at 34. Prior to being a mom I spent my time working as a Marketing and Public Relations Director in Shopping Centers as well as an Advertising Agency. I’ve experienced a lot of wonderful things in my life that have shaped and molded me into the woman I am today.
…but enough about me…let’s talk food! I typically blog about recipes, food, and cooking. It’s been a passion of mine since I was about 5 and got my first Easy Bake Oven. But the truth is, cooking is in my blood. Both my grandmothers were amazing cooks. The majority of my childhood memories involving my grandmothers are centered around all the great food they made. My Grandma Woolf (mom’s mom) was a particularly good baker, and most summers visiting grandma included homemade donuts!
When my grandma passed away two years ago, her daughters (all six of them) got together and made donuts in her honor. A year later my Aunt passed away, and the remaining sisters made a pack that they would make a greater effort to get together more often. So they created a new tradition of making donuts every year as part of a family reunion.
(The sisters left to right: Linda, Joeleen, Dixie (my mom), Diane & Sylvia)
I obviously love this tradition, mainly because I get to participate in the “eating” of the yummy donuts, but also because I hope to carry on the tradition with my children and grandchildren.
So the first step in donut making is a really good dough recipe. You can find my grandma’s recipe below. After you have mixed the dough and let it raise…it’s time to cut them out. That’s where you’re going to need one of these. A donut cutter. You can find them just about anywhere. I bought mine at Bed Bath & Beyond for about $4.
Once you’ve cut them all out, it’s time to let them raise one more time!
Now for the frying! Heat about 2-3 inches of oil to 370 degrees in an electric skillet, deep fryer or straight-sided pan over medium heat. Cook in batches until browned for about 3 minutes, turning once. (Keep in mind when cooking the “holes”, they will cook much faster.)
When you take them out of the oil, allow them to drain on a paper towel lined baking sheet or counter.
Once they’ve cooled…it’s time for the good stuff! The frosting and toppings of course! This is where you can really be creative. Chocolate, vanilla, maple, strawberry; all yummy frosting flavors. And then there’s nuts, coconut, sprinkles, crushed candy, crushed cookies…go crazy!
I hope I’ve inspired you to give donut making a try…or maybe start a family tradition of your own…or at a minimum, make a quick run to crispy creme!
GRANDMA’S DONUT RECIPE
(Recipe from Kathleen Woolf)1 packages yeast
2 cups scolded milk
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
6-8 C. flour
(Recipe from Kathleen Woolf)1 packages yeast
2 cups scolded milk
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
6-8 C. flour
1. Dissolve the yeast in 3/4 cups warm water and a pinch of sugar.
2. In a large mixing bowl cream the together the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
3. Add the milk and potatoes. Mix together.
4. Add yeast and salt.
5. Add 5 cups flour. Keep adding flour until the dough comes together. It should be soft and still a little tacky but not wet.
6. Set the dough aside in a warm spot. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and let rise until double.
7. Punch down and roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into donut’s.
8. Allow the cut-out donuts to raise for another 20 or 30 minutes.
9. Heat about 2-3 inches of oil to 370 degrees in an electric skillet, deep fryer or straight-sided pan over medium heat. Cook in batches until browned for about 3 minutes, turning once. (Keep in mind when cooking the “holes”, they will cook much faster.)
10. Take them out of the oil and allow them to drain on a paper towel lined baking sheet or counter.
11. When cool, frost and decorate to your hearts content! You can use any frosting or glaze recipe you like. My favorite happens to be maple, so I’m including a recipe for maple glaze below.
MAPLE GLAZE
2 C. confectioners’ sugar
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1/4 – 1/2 C. pure maple syrup1. In a bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and vanilla.
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1/4 – 1/2 C. pure maple syrup1. In a bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and vanilla.
2. Gradually whisk in enough maple syrup to make a smooth, thick glaze.
Click below for other fun and/or unique frosting recipes:
Cream Cheese Frosting~ Mindi
Mariel
Owner & Author at Or so she says...
Mariel (mahr-eeee-elle) is a mother to six, wife to one. Loves homeschooling, golfing, cupcakes, traveling, cuddling, non-fiction books, gardening, James Taylor, family time, and a sexy wedge. This is her blog. Enjoy!
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That’s a WAY cute tradition! I love hearing about women getting together and having fun…we should all do more of that!
Thanks for the awesome post, lovely pictures, and sharing your time with us.
Those look divine! Thanks for all the fun frosting ideas too!
these look so yummy!!! i will have to log this away with a recipe i want to try!!
I love to hear about other families family traditions. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, just wanted to stop by and introduce myself.. my name is Karen from ttp://glassofsweettea.blogspot.com/
I came about you blog via a blogging friend.. I enjoyed browsing through your blog.. and hope when you get a chance you stop by and visit me..
My son and I made donuts the other night, via a can of biscuits,,but didnt turn out very good.. I think i will try your recipe next time..lol..
Well hope to see you soon..
Have a blessed day
Those look heavenly! I am in serious trouble for having read this post!
Thanks for sharing your family’s tender tradition.
Wow! I love it!
Thanks for the recipe~
Thank you for sharing~
Leticia
I can’t wait to try the donuts! They look AMAZING!!!! Seriously, I just told my husband that we’re going to buy a donut cutter tomorrow!