Baba donuts (Lenten)

 Ingredients: 15g fresh yeast, 400g flour (or a little more, depending on the flour), a pinch of salt, 80g sugar, grated zest of one lemon, vanilla, one cup of soy milk, 100g margarine.

To prepare these delicious fluffy donuts, we start by activating the yeast, an essential step in the rising process. In a small container, we combine a teaspoon of sugar with the dry yeast and add a few tablespoons of warm milk. We gently mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and starts to activate. This step will ensure our donuts are fluffy and airy.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, we put all the dry ingredients: flour, a pinch of salt, and the remaining sugar. We add diced margarine, which will provide a rich flavor and a pleasant texture to the dough. Using our fingers, we rub the margarine into the flour until the mixture resembles finer flour. Once the yeast has risen, we add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients. We begin mixing, gradually adding warm milk until we achieve a smooth dough. If necessary, we can add a little more flour, but we must be careful not to overdo it, as we want a soft and elastic dough.

After obtaining the dough, we place it in a clean bag and let it rise in a warm place for about two hours. This rising time will allow the yeast to work, and the dough will increase significantly. When the time is up, we prepare to shape the donuts. We roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1 cm. Using a glass or a round cutter, we cut circles with a diameter of 6-7 cm.

We place these circles on a clean towel sprinkled with flour and cover them with another towel. We let the donuts rise again for an hour to achieve a fluffy texture. In a deep pot, we heat oil over moderate heat. When the oil is well heated, we fry the donuts on each side until they become golden and crispy. After frying, we remove them to a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Finally, we dust the donuts with sugar, and if desired, we can fill them with jam or Nutella, turning them into an irresistible dessert. These donuts are perfect to be served warm, alongside a cup of coffee or tea, bringing a touch of joy to any meal.

 Tags:  milk flour sugar margarine lemon doughnuts soy lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes