Italian Donuts

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, warm the milk until it reaches around 110°F. Add the butter and allow it to melt. Pour this mixture into a large mixing bowl.

2. To the milk and butter mixture, add the granulated sugar, salt, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate and bubble.

3. Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl. Add them to the yeast mixture and combine well.

4. Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If needed, add a little more flour until it comes together.

5. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball and transfer it to a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

6. After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to deflate. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a floured round cutter to cut out donut shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the donuts with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

7. In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F for frying. Carefully fry the donuts, a few at a time, until they turn golden brown on each side. This will take about 1-2 minutes per side. Once fried, transfer them to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

8. In a shallow bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. While the donuts are still warm, roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.

9. Serve the freshly made Italian Donuts warm and enjoy the comforting flavors of this classic treat. They are best enjoyed with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.