In cooking, a sponge is a batterlike mixture that becomes foamy. Here it makes lightweight but not airy doughnuts.
- Portion size 20 servings
Ingredients
Dough:
Maple Icing:
Sponge:
Method
Sponge: In large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand until frothy, about 10 minutes. Stir in flour to form smooth paste. Cover with plastic wrap; let stand until bubbly and stretchy, about 30 minutes.Dough: In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and salt, and beat in sponge. With wooden spoon, stir in flour to form sticky dough. Transfer to floured surface; knead for 8 minutes or until smooth and pliable. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm place until tripled in bulk, 1-1/2 hours.
Punch down dough. On floured surface, roll out to scant 1/2-inch (1 cm) thickness. Using 3-inch (8 cm) doughnut cutter or round cutter with 1-inch (2.5 cm) hole, cut out doughnuts. Transfer doughnuts and centres to floured baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, 1 hour.
In deep fryer, wok or deep saucepan, heat 2 inches (5 cm) oil until deep-fryer thermometer reads 350?F (180?C). Deep-fry 3 doughnuts (or 6 centres) at a time, turning once, until golden and puffed, 4 minutes. With slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. Transfer to rack; let cool.
Maple Icing: Stir together icing sugar, maple syrup, maple extract and water, adding up to 1 tsp (5 mL) more water to make thick spreadable icing if necessary; spread over tops of doughnuts. Dust centres with sugar if desired. Makes about 20 doughnuts and 20 balls.
Nutritional facts Per serving: about
- Sodium 9 mg
- Protein trace
- Calories 21.0
- Total fat 1 g
- Cholesterol 3 mg
- Saturated fat trace
- Total carbohydrate 2 g
%RDI
- Iron 1.0
- Folate 3.0
- Calcium 1.0
- Vitamin A 2.0
