"Berliner" (Jam Doughnuts)

Method

• step 1

  Dissolve the fresh (or dried) yeast with the sugar and a dash of warm milk.

• step 2

  In a large bowl, sift all the flour and add the salt.

• step 3

  Crack the eggs into a measuring cup, then add enough warm milk until you have 500ml of liquid. Now add the melted butter.

• step 4

  Make a well in the flour and add the yeast liquid as well as the egg-milk-butter liquid. Mix together well.

• step 5

  Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for about 20min.

• step 6

  Knead the dough for a few minutes and then leave to rise/prove for another 15-20min.

• step 7

  Now shape your dough into "Berliners"; dough balls with a weight of approx. 90g each.

• step 8

  Place these on a tray, cover with a kitchen towel and leave to prove one final time for approx. 45min.

• step 9

  Preheat your deep fat fryer to 170C.

• step 10

  Now cook your proved doughnuts. It is important to close the lid of the fryer so the Berliners expand nicely and get their typical white border.

• step 11

  Fry each doughnut for about 2-3min on each side.

• step 12

  Remove and leave to cool on a wire rack.

• step 13

  Once cooled, fill a pastry / pipe bag with jam or thick custard and fill the doughnuts. Then cover with a dusting of icing sugar and enjoy.

• step 14

  TIP! When you bite into a Berliner, bite into the part with the filling's hole. This will avoid all the jam squirting out and ending-up on your lap or shirt :-)