Soccer Mom Doughnut Twists

These are baked, not deep fried doughnut twists -- baked because deep frying scares me on so many levels and twisted because that's how Almanzo Wilder's mother made them. (We were inspired to make homemade doughnuts after reading "Farmer Boy" you see.)

Oh, and the title comes from the fact that I promised Sean doughnuts if he kept a positive attitude during today's soccer game. That's good parenting, right?

Source: Cooks.com Recipe Search

1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water (105-115 degrees)
2 1/2 to 3 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. plain low fat yogurt
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. butter, melted
Vanilla Glaze or Cinnamon Sugar

*Directions:

Dissolve yeast in water in large bowl; let stand 5 minutes until foamy. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, yogurt, sugar, salt, softened butter, egg, vanilla. Beat on low speed 2 minutes. Mix in 1 cup flour. Knead on floured surface 5 minutes until smooth-elastic, adding flour to prevent sticking. Place in bowl coated with cooking spray; spray top. Cover; let rise until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Punch dough down. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each out on floured surface into 8 inch rope. Fold each in half; pinch ends together. Twist a few times. On baking sheet coated with cooking spray, place 3 inches apart. Brush with butter. Cover; let rise until almost doubled, 45 to 60 minutes.

Bake in preheated 425 degree oven 8 minutes until golden brown. Brush on Vanilla Glaze or finish with Cinnamon Sugar while warm. Cool on rack.

Whisk together 2 tablespoons warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and 3/4 cup 10X sugar.

Brush doughnuts with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Dip in prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture.


* Note: I didn't follow the above dough directions at all. I just threw all the ingredients into my bread machine and set it to the "Dough" cycle. That takes about 1:45 all told. Next time I think I'm going to use Rapid Rise yeast and then the Dough cycle only takes 45 minutes! Also, I think I'll freeze half the dough to make another time.