Jelly Doughnuts

Jelly Doughnuts
2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 tsp. sugar
1 cup milk − scalded and cooled
4 tbsp. shortening
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. lemon zest − grated fine
3 1/2 − 4 cups flour
1−1/2 cups jam or jelly for filling (strawberry or raspberry)
oil for frying
Mix the yeast, water and 2 tsp. sugar together. Let foam 10 minutes.
Scald the milk and add the shortening. Let mixture cool then add egg and
yolks, sugar, salt and lemon zest. Stir well and pour in yeast mixture. Add
flour and stir to form a soft dough. Knead 5−8 minutes, adding a bit of
flour as needed to form a firmer dough. When dough is smooth and elastic,
place in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm
place (in a turned off oven with only the oven light on is a good place) or
let rise overnight in the refrigerator.
Punch down and pinch off pieces of dough to form small balls (about the size
of golfballs). Cover and let sit 15 minutes.
In a deep fryer or heavy Dutch oven, heat 4 inches of oil to 375 F. Add the
doughnuts a few at a time and fry until the undersides are deep brown.
Gently turn over once and finish frying the other side. Lift doughnuts out
using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Fill with jam or jelly. Sprinkle with granulated sugar if desired. Serve at
once. Makes 24−36 doughnuts.