Donut or doughnut? However you spell it, there’s no denying the universal appeal of these sweet, fluffy circles of joy. National Donut Day on June 2, 2023, gives us all an excuse to indulge in this beloved treat. But this day isn’t just about satisfying our sweet tooth – there’s a historical sprinkle to it too!
National Donut Day isn’t just a random day where we celebrate our love for donuts (though, let’s be honest, every day could be Donut Day). It has roots dating back to World War I when Salvation Army volunteers served donuts to soldiers to boost their morale. The tradition was formalized in 1938, and we’ve been celebrating this delicious holiday ever since.
Sure, you could just grab a dozen from your local bakery or chain, but why not make this National Donut Day extra special? Here are a few sweet ideas:
Invite your friends over and ask each one to bring a different type of donut. You’ll have a variety of flavors to taste and enjoy, plus a lot of fun!
Get a bunch of plain donuts, frosting, and toppings, and see who can come up with the most creative design. The winner gets… you guessed it, more donuts!
Instead of an egg hunt, hide donuts around your backyard or home. The kids (and let’s face it, the adults too) will love this!
Making donuts at home is a delightful activity that brings not only the sweet smell of baking to your kitchen but also allows you to unleash your creativity with fillings and toppings. Here’s a straightforward recipe to help you along the way.
1. Stand Mixer: For mixing your dough and glaze.
2. Whisk and Wooden Spoon: For incorporating your ingredients.
3. Rolling Pin: To evenly flatten your dough.
4. Round Biscuit or Cookie Cutters: To shape your donuts and donut holes.
5. Deep Fryer or Heavy-Bottomed Pot: For frying your donuts to perfection.
6. Thermometer: To ensure your oil is at the right temperature.
7. Slotted Spoon or Fry Basket: To safely remove your donuts from the hot oil.
8. Cooling Rack: To cool your donuts before glazing.
9. Pastry Brush: For glazing your donuts.
For the Donuts:
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 2 ¼ teaspoon (one packet) active dry yeast
• 2 eggs
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out the dough
• 2 quarts neutral oil, for frying (like canola or vegetable)
For the Glaze:
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk until it’s about 110°F (warm but not hot to the touch). Add the yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes to activate. In Ventray stand mixer, combine the yeast mixture, eggs, butter, sugar, and salt, then gradually add in the flour until a sticky dough forms.
2. Let it Rise: Cover the mixing bowl with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm area for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
3. Roll & Cut the Donuts: Flour your surface and roll out your dough to about ½ inch thick. Use your round cutters to cut out donut shapes and donut holes. Re-roll the remaining dough and repeat until all the dough is used.
4. Fry the Donuts: Heat your oil to 375°F in your Ventray Electric Indoor Grill. Fry the donuts, a few at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or fry basket to transfer the donuts to a cooling rack.
5. Prepare the Glaze: While the donuts are cooling, mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. It should be smooth and runny.
6. Glaze the Donuts: Once the donuts are cooled, brush them with the glaze using your pastry brush. Let the glaze harden for about 20 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your homemade donuts and remember, the best thing about making your own is that you can customize them to your liking!
There you have it, folks! You’re all set to make National Donut Day-June 2, 2023, the sweetest day of the year. Whether you’re buying, baking, or frying, let’s celebrate this day with a big bite and a happy heart. After all, what’s life without a little bit of sweetness, right? Happy Donut Day!
