Doughnuts

Dough

• 180 ml lukewarm water
• 50 g sugar
• 7 g dry yeast
• 3 large eggs
• 510 g fine wheat flour
• 120 g room-temperature butter
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest

Glaze

• 200 g powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup

Additional

• 200 g Belje Baranja bacon

1. Mix dry yeast, sugar, lukewarm water and a bit of flour in a bowl. Cover and let the yeast proof for about 10 minutes.
2. Add the proofed yeast into the bowl of an electric mixer or a regular bowl, then add the beaten eggs and mix together using a dough hook or a regular mixer.
3. Add vanilla extract and grated lemon zest to the mixture, then add flour and salt. Start making the dough using a mixer with the dough hook or a wooden spoon. When everything is incorporated, add a quarter of the butter; when the butter is incorporated, add the next portion until all the butter is incorporated in the dough.
4. Knead for at least 10 minutes. The dough should stop sticking to the sides of the bowl and be soft and shiny.
5. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave in a warm place to double in size, for about 1 to 2 hours.

6. Roll out the dough to a thickness of one centimetre. Using a glass or cutter with a diameter of 6–8 cm, cut out circles, and using a smaller cutter with a diameter of about 2–3 cm, cut out a circle in the middle. Roll out the remaining dough again.
7. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and leave for about 30 minutes, or until the doughnuts rise.
8. Heat oil in a medium-sized pot. When the oil is ready for frying, reduce heat to low.
9. Place the doughnuts in the oil top-side down so they rise evenly on both sides.
10. Cover the pot only while frying the first side. Carefully lift the doughnut from the oil. If it has turned golden brown, flip it over, but do not cover the pot.
11. Fry until golden brown on both sides, for about 2 minutes.
12. Place the doughnuts onto a prepared paper towel to drain any excess oil.

1. Mix together powdered sugar and maple syrup in a bowl. Dip one side of the doughnuts into the glaze and place them on a rack to drain any excess.
2. Fry bacon slices in a pan. Place the fried bacon on baking paper to drain any excess fat.
3. Crumble the bacon with your fingers and sprinkle it over the glaze.

Tip: You can replace the maple syrup with honey or milk to make a different glaze.