Big-Batch Bismarks

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + rising Cook: 20 min.

Makes

about 5 dozen

Updated: May. 24, 2023
"These delicious jelly-filled doughnuts will disappear before your eyes - especially when youngsters are around," predicts Araminta Adams of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. "It's a good thing the recipe makes a big batch!"

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 4 teaspoons plus 1 cup sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 4 cups warm milk (110° to 115°)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 11 to 12 cups all-purpose flour
  • Additional oil for deep-fat frying
  • Strawberry jelly
  • Frosting and sprinkles, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 4 teaspoons sugar in warm water. Add the milk, eggs, oil, salt, remaining sugar and 8 cups flour until blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Divide dough in half.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in two greased bowls, turning once to a grease tops. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Punch the dough down. Turn on a floured surface; roll out to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. round cutter. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  4. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry bismarks, a few at a time, for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Cool for 2-3 minutes. Cut a small slit with a sharp knife in one side of each bismark; fill with about 1 teaspoon jelly. Decorate with frosting and sprinkles if desired.