Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup gfJules Flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, salt and shortening. Beat until the shortening is integrated into a mixture resembling small pebbles.

Step 3

Warm milk to just above body temperature (approximately 100°F) by heating in a small saucepan or in a microwave for 1 minute. Add vanilla paste, 1 tablespoon of sugar and yeast. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Step 5

After five minutes at rest, and when the yeast mixture has begun to bubble and rise, gently stir into the flour mixture with the eggs (whisk together first before adding). Add remaining gfJules Flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough is firm but slightly sticky.

Step 7

Lightly flour a clean countertop or pastry mat with gfJules™ Flour. Transfer the dough and pat it into a flat disk shape, then gently roll out to 1/2 inch-thick.

Step 9

To make donuts, flour (with gfJules Flour) a large round cutter (2-inches or larger) and press into the rolled dough. Use a small round cookie cutters to cut out the middles.

Step 11

To make donut holes, use a 1-inch or smaller size cookie cutter. Gently press scraps of dough together to re-cut so that all the dough is used.

Step 13

To make donut holes, roll each cut circle lightly between your palms until it is shaped like a ball. Once cut or rolled, place donuts onto baking sheets lined with parchment and cover with another sheet or parchment.

Step 15

Place in a warm location or oven turned on to 200°F and turned off. (Place a pot of boiling water in the oven with the dough to help the rise.) Allow the donuts to rise for at least 30 minutes.

Step 17

To Fry:In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°.  Add 3 or 4 donuts at a time, adjusting the heat to keep the oil between 325° and 350°.

Step 19

Fry the donuts until golden brown, flipping so both sides are cooked. This process can take less than 1 minute total with these yeasted doughnuts, so watch closely to ensure they are not over or under-cooked.

Step 21

Remove cooked donuts with a slotted spoon and let drain on a wire rack. If rolling in sugar, do so while the donuts are still hot; if using glazes, allow donuts to cool first.

Step 23

To Air Fry:Set the machine to Air Fry at 350F and turn the timer on to start the machine (with my Cuisinart Air Fryer/Toaster Oven the timer must be running for the Air Fry setting to turn on). Put the baking tray on the pan onto rack position 2 (or follow instructions on your air fryer model).

Step 25

After about 4 minutes, take the doughnuts out — that’s it! They should be lightly browned and fully cooked inside. The first batch I let cook for 5 minutes, and it was a touch too long. I’m sure it depends on the size of your doughnut holes, but you don’t want them to get too brown or crunchy.

Step 27

Glaze:To make glaze, whisk ingredients together in a small saucepan over low heat. Once integrated and warmed, dunk donuts into the glaze and set aside on a cooling rack covered with wax paper.

Step 29

To make chocolate glaze, whisk ingredients together until thick but still spreadable. Dip the tops of donuts into the glaze, then set aside on a cooling rack covered with wax paper until glaze is set. Add more or less milk or sugar until the consistency is right.

Step 31

To fill the donuts, once the doughnuts are fried and cooled, fit a large opening metal icing tip onto a pastry bag and fill with jam, preserves, frosting  or cream as you withdraw the tip.

Step 33

Push the metal tip into the side of the donut hole almost into the middle, and squeeze the jam or cream inside the donut.

Step 35

For larger donuts, insert a pastry bag fitted with a long metal tip into the middle, then squeeze filling as you withdraw the tip.

Step 37

As with any fried donut, these are best when enjoyed the day you make them.