Krispy Kreme Copycat Doughnuts

I am craving sweets. I saw this recipe at Candace's Kitchen and am really craving maple doughnuts now! Maybe posting this here will allow my brain to release the craving......to YOU!

Krispy Kreme Copycat Doughnuts

2 TBSP yeast
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening (melted and cooled)
5 cups all purpose flour
oil for frying

Glaze
1/3 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla OR 2 1/2 tsp maple extract
4 - 6 TBSP hot water

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large mixer bowl. Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Make sure the dough is soft - yet not sticky. Put dough into a greased bowl - turning once. Cover and let rise until double - about 1 hour.

The dough will not rise significantly like a bread dough would. The dough is ready when an indentation remains when touched. Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.

Gently roll dough 1/2 inch thick with floured rolling pin. Cut with doughnut cutter. Place cut doughnuts on a clean kitchen towel. Cover and let rise for about 40 minutes. They will get bigger this time. I promise.

Heat oil in deep fryer if you have one. Otherwise if you are like me - I use a large pan with 3 inches sides. Or you can use a dutch oven. Heat oil to 350 F. Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula. A metal one works best. Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface. Fry until golden brown on each side. This part goes really fast so you have to watch carefully! :)

Remove carefully from oil and place on an elevated cooling rack.

Glaze
Heat butter until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in water - 1 TBSP at a time until desired consistency.

Using a spoon - spread a little glaze over each doughnut until your glaze is all used up. You just might have to go back and add glaze a second time!