Chocolate Cake Doughnuts

1. For the Doughnuts:In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a second large bowl, whisk eggs until lightened and frothy, about 1 minute. Add sugar, buttermilk, and melted butter to eggs and whisk until combined, about 1 minute. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a large rubber spatula, until smooth dough forms. Do not overmix.

2. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and liberally dust with flour. Turn the dough out onto a liberally floured work surface. Fold the dough over itself so it comes together in one mass, and let rest for 10 minutes. Liberally flour the top of the dough (it will be sticky, don't be afraid to use flour).

3. Using a floured rolling pin, press to flatten and roll the dough to a uniform 1/2-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round cutter dipped in flour, cut out rounds. Using a 1-inch round cutter dipped in flour, cut a hole out of center of each round. Transfer doughnuts and holes to prepared sheets. Gather dough scraps, and gently reroll, repeating cutting procedure. You should have about 12 doughnuts and doughnut holes.

4. To Prepare Frying oil and Glaze Setup:Place a large, heavy pot on the stove and clip on thermometer to the side of the pot. Pour in the oil and heat oil to 375ºF (190ºC) over medium heat. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and line rack with a double layer of paper towels. Set tongs, spider skimmer, or chopsticks aside until ready to fry.(whatever you prefer to turn the doughnuts and remove them from the hot oil).

5. For the Glaze:On another burner, warm the milk in a small saucepan set over low heat until the milk begins to steam. Remove it from heat and add the confectioner's sugar, pinch of salt, and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Pour the glaze into a heat-proof bowl and set the bowl over a small saucepan of water to keep warm, set aside.

6. To Fry the Doughnuts:Gently place 3 doughnuts into 375°F oil. Cake doughnuts will sink to the bottom of the oil, then cook for a bit before rising up. Once the doughnut bobs to the surface, fry it for about 2 more minutes. Using a spider skimmer or tongs, gently flip doughnuts and continue to fry for an additional 2 minutes on the other side. Transfer the doughnuts to the prepared cooling rack. Break one open to check that it is cooked inside. If undercooked, return the batch of doughnuts to the hot oil to fry for an additional minute. Adjust frying time for remaining doughnuts as needed.

7. Return oil to 375 degrees and repeat with remaining doughnuts and doughnut holes. Let doughnuts sit until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.

8. To Glaze the Doughnuts:Set the pot of water with the bowl of glaze over low heat and stir until it returns to a pourable glaze consistency. Remove from heat and use your fingers to carefully submerge each of the doughnuts in the glaze. Place the glazed doughnuts on a clean cooling rack to dry. The glaze will become more translucent as it dries. For best flavor, serve immediately.

Special Equipment

Rolling pin, clip-on digital thermometer, tongs or spider strainer

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