Classic Long Johns

Name: Classic Long Johns
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast; 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 1/2 cup half-and-half cream; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup shortening; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; Oil for deep-fat frying; MAPLE FROSTING:; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon half-and-half cream; 1/8 teaspoon maple flavoring; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; CHOCOLATE FROSTING:; 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons boiling water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

I came across the recipe for these wonderful raised doughnuts many years ago. I remember Mom making some similar to these. You can frost them with maple or chocolate glaze, then top with chopped nuts, jimmies, toasted coconut or sprinkles. —Ann Sorgent, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Oil for deep-fat frying
MAPLE FROSTING:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon half-and-half cream
1/8 teaspoon maple flavoring
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add cream, sugar, shortening, egg, salt, nutmeg and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch down dough; divide in half. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll each half into a 12x6-in. rectangle. Cut each portion into twelve 3x2-in. rectangles. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry long johns, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
For maple frosting, combine brown sugar and butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; stir in cream and maple flavoring. Add the confectioners' sugar; beat for 1 minute or until smooth. Frost cooled long johns.
For chocolate frosting, in a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread over cooled long johns; let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 long john: 186 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 121mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Long Johns in Taste of Home April/May 2011

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Katilee3

Nov 16, 2011

The dough did not turn out. It was flat and didn't taste good.
khull2

Sep 15, 2011

Thought this recipe was good. They didn't rise as much as I thought they would. The nutmeg is something you have to get used to. It's a different taste.
cmartinoni

Apr 14, 2011

The best
tracy977

Apr 2, 2011

Mine didn't rise hardly at all, but they still turned out pretty good! The nutmeg gives it a pleasant yet unexpected taste. We preferred ours plain or dusted with powdered sugar rather than w/frosting.
vrstein

Mar 24, 2011

I made these this evening, and I used Crisco shortening to Deep Fry them in. They were really good. I would make these again, they didn't seem greasy at all.Thanks for the great recipe. You don't know how long I have wanted a good donut recipe. I will be making them again. Thanks, Viv