Jelly Doughnuts

We're partial to apricot and raspberry jam in these airy doughnuts, but feel free to substitute your favorite jam.

Prep: 30 minutes; Rise: 1 hour 15 minutes; Cook: 8 minutes.

Yield: Makes 10 large or 20 small doughnuts

Ingredients

• 1  (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1  teaspoon  honey
• 1 1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup  sugar, plus more for dusting
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1  large egg, lightly beaten
• 2  cups  vegetable oil
• 1/2  to 3/4 cup jam

Preparation

1. Combine yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and honey in a small bowl or measuring cup. Let stand in a warm place for 5 minutes or until mixture begins to rise and become foamy.

2. Stir together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add egg and yeast mixture, and stir to blend into a sticky dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and soft, about 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and cover loosely; let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until almost doubled in size.

3. Punch down dough, and roll out to 1/2-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 1 1/2-inch rounds, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Cover loosely, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan until a deep-fry thermometer registers 355° to 365°. Fry 4 to 5 rounds at a time until golden brown, 45 to 60 seconds per side. Drain on paper towels; roll in sugar to coat while warm. Repeat with remaining doughnuts.

5. Fill a pastry bag with jam. Make a hole in one end of each doughnut with a wooden skewer. Push pastry tip into hole, and pipe about 2 teaspoons jam into each doughnut. Serve warm.