Homemade Krispy Kreme Donuts

Can you say divine? Mmm.... today I was home sick and decided that I might as well make the most of it. So I made some "Homemade Krispy Kreme Donuts" from my new Worldwide Ward Cookbook that I got for Christmas. All I can say say is that when these were done, they tasted just like the "hot and ready" donuts you can buy. So tasty! So I thought I'd share the recipe for all to enjoy!

Donuts:

2 Tbsp. yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 1/2 cup lukewarm milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1/3 cup shortening

5 cups flour

vegetable oil for frying

Glaze:

1/3 cup butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

4-6 Tbsp hot water

Donuts: Dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups flour. Beat on low, scraping the bowl for 30 seconds. Then beat on medium for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled (50-60 minutes; dough is ready when indent remains). Turn onto floured surface. With a floured rolling pin, gently roll dough to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured donut cutter and place on baking sheet, leaving plenty of room for donuts to rise. Cover and let rise until doubled (30-40 minutes). Sides must not touch! Using a wide spatula, slide donuts into hot oil (350 degrees); turn as they rise to surface. Fry until just golden (1 minute each side). Carefully remove and drain. Dip in creamy glaze, cool on rack, and glaze again. Note: I don't own a donut cutter, so I just use a Mason jar ring and make round donuts. They turn out great!

Glaze: Heat butter until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in water 1 T at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Note: for chocolate glaze, melt 4 oz. milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips with butter and continue with glaze recipe.