Raised Gingerbread Doughnuts and Holes

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm (105° to 115°) water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Powdered sugar

Preparation

1. 1. Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Stir in butter, molasses, and egg.
2. 2. Stir together flour and next 5 ingredients until blended. Stir in yeast mixture; beat until blended. Cover, and let rise at room temperature 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in volume. Punch dough down.
3. 3. Pat or roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a floured surface; cut with a 3-inch doughnut cutter or 1 (3-inch) and 1 (1-inch) round cutters, using smaller cutter for the hole. Let doughnuts and holes stand and rise at room temperature, uncovered, 45 minutes.
4. 4. Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a large, heavy pot; heat to 375°. Fry doughnuts and holes, in batches, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.