Nanny's Raised Doughnuts recipe is one found on one of my Grandmother's recipe cards. It is a yeast doughnut that is light, fluffy, and homey! Glazed with a maple frosting, it brings back memories of eating doughnuts with Nanny as a little girl!
Laura, over at The Spiced Life, is holding a Grandma's Recipes Event. Thank you Laura for doing this!! I thought and thought this one over. Most of my grandmother's recipes that I have written down in my own home are her cookies. I decided to call my Aunt Ann and asked her to send me some recipes (as she is in possession of all Grandma's recipes). She sent me a quite a few, but the one I decided to go with was the Raised Doughnuts. Grandma and Grandpa, who after my children were born, became Nanny & Poppy, loved doughnuts. I remember her making doughnuts when I was young, but when I was an adult, I remember them bringing them home from the store more often. I do remember the favorite was a maple glazed doughnut, so I will be recreating that today, along with some other decorated ones!
When I think of Nanny, I think of all the time she and I spent together. I was so lucky to get to have a grandmother who loved to have me around as much as I loved to be near her! I remember getting up early when my dad would take off for work, just to go around the corner with dad and go to Grandmas in the morning. I would go back upstairs and curl up and cuddle with Gram for another hour or two and then we would get up and she would make me breakfast.
Nanny always gave us what we wanted, and I usually wanted a egg fried in real butter and toast. Go figure. I can't eat eggs now to save my life, but back then I loved them! I remember many times being at Gram's house when she was baking her pies or cookies. There was always something sweet at her house and we always knew where to look to find those sweets. ;o)
Now, the recipe that my aunt scanned and emailed me for Gram's raised doughnuts is pretty sketchy. Fortunately, I grew up around her and mom both making these.....and I basically "knew" what to do.
I decided to coat the doughnut holes with cinnamon sugar. Once they are removed from the oil and have sat a couple of minutes, put them in a paper bag with cinnamon sugar mixture and shake to coat. I made two types of frosting, one was maple because it was one of Gram's favorite flavors and I made an almond glaze because its one of my favorite flavors!
- Raised Doughnuts
- Mae Iris Whitton (my lovely Grandmother!)
- 1 packet yeast
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1-¼ cups milk
- 4-½ cups flour
- 3 Tbsp. shortening (I used canola oil)
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon mace (she had written you could use nutmeg or cinnamon in place, I went with cinnamon)
- ¼ tsp. salt
- Now, her directions are spotchy, but I want to put it here as she put it. You might get a good chuckle over it!
- Dissolve yeast, 1 tbsp. sugar in milk. After it cools add ½ cups lour, beat well, let raise 1 hr in warm place.
- Well, if your don't know how to bake, your not going to have a clue how to make these and do it right! This is what I did:
- I scalded the milk and let cool to just lukewarm. Mix in the packet of yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let sit 5 minutes. Add remaining sugar, oil and egg and mix well. Gradually add flour (and I did only use 4 -½ cups!). Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead gently until uniform. Let sit and rise for 1 hour.
- After doughnuts rise, roll out to ½" thick, cut with doughnut cutter and set aside. Heat oil to temp of 350 degrees. Drop doughnuts into oil. They will sink to the bottom. When they rise to the top, immediately turn over to prevent cracking. Cook doughnuts until browned and drain on a plate covered with a paper towel to absorb and residual grease.
- To make the maple frosting, I took a tablespoon of butter and melted it in the microwave. For the maple frosting I added about 2 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon mapleine, confectioner's sugar and enough milk to thin enough to glaze consistency. I then dipped the tops in the frosting and sat upright on towel lined plates to set.
- For the Almond flavored glaze I basically did the same thing except I only used 1 tablespoon butter, confectioner's sugar, 1 tsp. almond extract and milk. I don't have measurements for the confectioner's sugar or milk. I usually just dump in enough sugar and milk until it comes to the consistency I want for glazing or frosting.
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Debbie says
I have never made donuts, but I love them. I remember my mom making them... I might have to be brave and try them sometime. Your's do look good. And, yes, I love the old "handwritten" recipes our grandmas had--in shoeboxes too.
Jen says
Wish I had one of these donuts to nibble with my morning latte! Love the photos 🙂
Tangled Noodle says
Thank you so much for sharing your Nanny's recipe! They look absolutely delicious and no doubt taste even better. Isn't it amazing how store-bought doughnuts have an ingredients list as long as your arm but here, it's simply 8 very common and pronounceable things? I am soooo bookmarking this!
Bellini Valli says
These are a real tribute to your Nanny. I would especially love the doughnut holes rolled in cinnamon & sugar. They remind me of Tim Bits.
Jenn says
Those donuts look delish. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Amanda says
Oh these look wonderful! Now you've gone and made me crave cinnamon sugared doughnuts. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
nutritiontokitchen says
Those iced donuts look so cute and professional! YUM!
Robin Sue says
Homemade donuts are the way to go. I love your Nanny's name , Mae, it was my grandmother's middle name!
Lynne says
Those look positively wonderful - I can't remember the last time I had a homemade donut!
alice says
These look freakin awesome. I love donuts. Can't wait to make them at my house. Please thank your nanny!
noble pig says
These look amazing! I wish I had a granny recipe to share.
Bobby says
These looks like perfection! I have always wanted to make doughnuts but was not really sure how until now.
HAPPY EASTER!!
Ingrid says
Mmmmm, ALL of those donuts look scrumdilliumptious!!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Happy Easter HoneyB & Grumpy!
~ingrid
Reeni♥ says
These look delicious! Such sweet memories. I would love to try these.
Lynda says
What beautiful looking donuts!
Granma's cooking always brings back good memories and yummy things to eat!
Patsyk says
What a wonderful post! I have never made doughnuts at home, but may have to try it now.
Elyse says
What a beautiful post! Your Nanny sounds wonderful. I call my grandma Nanny, too! I'm so glad these doughnuts could bring back such wonderful memories for you. I've never actually tried to make doughnuts, but I think I'm going to try your recipe. They sound so delicious!! Yay for your Nanny and her wonderful recipes.
recipes2share says
Shelby these are fantastic!
Meg says
Grandmas, doughnuts, and memories....it doesn't get any sweeter!
cindy says
Wow, I can almost taste them! Beautiful.