Ingredients:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup of water

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

4 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp butter

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

2 tsp yeast

1/2 cup tangzhong

2 cups powdered sugar (glaze)

1/2 tsp salt (glaze)

1 tsp vanilla (glaze)

2 tbsp water (glaze)

Directions:

1. Make the tangzhong by mixing the flour and water and heating it while stirring constantly until it forms a sort of paste. You know this when swirl lines form as you stir.

2. Set this aside and let it cool.

3. Dump all the ingredients for the dough into a mixer with a dough hook attachment (or you can use a bread machine as she does in 365 degrees Oven) and knead for about 15 minutes until it can be stretched to form a windowpane.

4. Transfer to a greased bowl and let rise for 45 minutes, then punch down and let rise for another 30 to 45 minutes.

5. When the dough is done, roll it out into a rectangle onto a floured surface until it's about 1/2 inch thick. You can use a large circle cookie cutter (365 recommends a 3-inch circle) to cut a large circle and a smaller one to cut the ‘donut hole’.

6. Use a flat spatula to place donuts on a floured parchment sheet, making sure the donuts are not touching one another since they will expand. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.

7. Make the glaze by mixing all the ingredients together. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) since this is ideal for deep frying. If your dough burns then its too hot.

8. Lower a few donuts at a time into the hot oil and fry for 30 to 45 seconds until golden brown. Insert a chopstick (or barbecue stick into the hole and flip over to fry the other side for another 30 to 45 seconds or until golden brown.

9. Remove and place on a rack to cool. If you’re worried about excess oil, put a paper towel over the cooling rack to absorb excess oil.

10. When its cool enough to touch, dunk donut halfway into the glaze to coat. Place on a clean rack or a plate and let it cool for five more minutes just until the glaze sets. Serve with a hot cup of coffee and enjoy.

Bon Appetit!