Krofi (raised doughnuts) √
Makes about 16.
Note: Krofi (KRO-fee) are best fresh, but keep well for a day, and so may be made the night before and served for breakfast. Freshen by warming them on a baking sheet for 5 minutes in a 250-degree oven. Instant yeast also is called "rapid-rise" or bread machine yeast. The nutmeg is optional, but nice. This recipe is slightly adapted from "More Pots and Pans," a cookbook of the Slovenian Women's Union of America.
• 1 c. half-and-half
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 4 to 5 c. flour, divided
• 3 1/4 tsp. instant yeast (see Note)
• • 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg, if desired
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1/3 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 6 c. oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
• Powdered sugar
Directions
In a small saucepan over low heat, heat the half-and-half with the butter until the butter melts. Set aside and cool to lukewarm.
Zest the lemon, scraping only the yellow rind (you'll have 1 to 2 teaspoons of zest). Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice, straining out any seeds.
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon zest, 1 cup flour, yeast, salt and nutmeg (if using). Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat eggs with sugar and sour cream until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add lukewarm half-and-half mixture and lemon juice and mix well. Add flour mixture and mix until smooth. Beat in 3 additional cups of flour, 1 at a time, mixing well. The dough will be soft and quite sticky. Switch attachment to a dough hook and knead dough for 3 to 4 minutes, until smooth. It will remain slightly sticky.
(If mixing by hand, follow the mixing process through adding 3 cups flour. To knead, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Use a dough scraper [also called a bench knife] to lift and fold the dough, stretching it as much as possible as you lift with the scraper. Flour as necessary using the remaining 1 cup flour, but use as little as possible. Stretch and fold for several minutes, until the dough becomes smoother and firmer.)
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Turn the risen dough out onto a generously floured counter. Reaching underneath the dough, gently pull it outward from the middle into a 14-inch square. Do not roll the dough. You don't want to deflate it any more than necessary.
Dip a 3-inch round cutter in flour and cut 16 rounds. Place them on a lightly floured cloth. Save the largest of the scraps; they'll be odd shapes, but are like doughnut holes. Cover dough with a cloth and let rise about 30 minutes or until puffy.
While dough is rising, pour oil into a heavy frying pan or heavy pot with sides at least 3 inches high. Heat to 360 degrees.
Cover a wire rack with a couple of layers of paper towels.
Fry the dough rounds in the hot oil, carefully placing them top side down first and frying for about 45 seconds, then flipping and frying for another 45 seconds or until golden brown. You can fry 3 to 4 at a time, but don't crowd them. With a slotted spoon, lift the doughnut rounds onto the paper towels.
When they have cooled, dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Nutrition information per each doughnut:
Calories290Fat17 gSodium93 mg
Carbohydrates29 gSaturated fat6 gCalcium33 mg
Protein5 gCholesterol52 mgDietary fiber1 g
Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 bread/starch, 3½ fat.
