homemade yeast donuts

I made these donuts Friday for National Donut day, I got the recipe from a friend, they are delicious!!!! and easy....


Yeast donuts:
2pks yeast (5tsp)
1/2 cup warm water (110-115*)
1/2 c warm milk
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
4.5-5 cups flour
oil for frying

* I make this in my kitchenaid mixer with dough hook*
In mixing bowl place water, yeast and 1tsp sugar. let proof 5 min or until bubbly. add in milk, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour. Mix on LOW ( I use splatter sheild attachment too) Mix in enough flour until dough pulls away and forms ball. Mix another 4-5 min on 2-3 speed. Turn on floured surface and kneed it a few times (i usually do about 8-10 turns- probably dont have to do this since the machine does a lot) Grease bowl - place dough in it and turn once. Let rise 1hr in warm spot. Punch down. Cut dough in 1/2. roll out 1/2 dough to 1/2" thickness and cut into donuts with donut cutter (or round cup, cookie cutter ect all work). place on greased baking sheet and let rise for 30min or about double in size.

In electric skillet or pan, place enough oil for frying and let warm to 375 -(i bought an electric skillet at walmart for $20 and it works awesome- has temp control too!) gently place donut in oil. fry until brown, flip and brown other side. Take out and drain on paper (i use brown paper bag and paper towels) Cool. top with frosting/sprinkles ect. Frosting I make is just powder sugar, milk and almond extract. Thicker for frosting, thinner for glaze.