(makes 10-12 donuts)2 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cups bread flour, divided
3 egg yolks
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 vanilla bean
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter
vegetable oil
-Heat the milk to 100 degrees. Stir in the yeast until it is dissolved. Transfer to a medium bowl and add 3/4 cup bread flour. Stir until it forms a smooth paste. Cover the bowl in plastic to prevent drying out and place in a warm spot to rise.
-When the paste has doubled in size (about an hour), add it to a kitchenaid mixer (or something like it) fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the egg yolks, sugar, and salt. Mix on low speed until smooth.
-Split and scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add to a small pot with the butter and vanilla extract. Heat just until melted. Add to the dough in the mixer and mix on low speed until smooth. Add the rest of the flour, gradually. Keep mixing until it just comes together into a smooth dough. It will be quite wet and sticky, bust should be able to hold together as one lump. If not add more flour, one tbsp at a time.
-Brush a large bowl lightly with vegetable oil. Place the dough int eh bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot to rise.
-One the dough has doubled in size, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out.
-On a well-floured surface, gently roll out the dough to 3/8" to 1/2" thickness. Use a cutter to stamp out the shape of your choosing. Place the stamped out dough on a parchment lined sheet pan. cover with plastic and allow to rise again in a warm spot.
-Once the donuts are almost doubled in size, begin heating 1 1/2 cups to 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot. When the oil reached 360 degrees start frying the donuts in batches. Fry them until golden brown on each side, the total frying time will be under 2 minutes. Use tongs to flip and retrieve them.
-Allow to drain on a wire rack over a sheet tray. While still warm, drizzle with glaze.
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 milk
-combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until smooth. If it is lumpy, pour it through a fine mesh strainer
