Vegan, Baked Donuts

I love donuts, but they are too rich for me to eat many or often. I almost always get a tummy ache from all the sugar a fat. 

Not so with these. These have very little fat and the sugar content is mostly up to you. Serve them plain, lightly glazed, dusted with powdered sugar or slather on the frosting. Your choice. They are delicious and guilt-free. 

This recipe makes enough for a crowd. Freeze extras for donuts any time.

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tbs yeast
2 tbs oil
2/3 cup sugar
2 tbs flax meal + 4 tbs water
1 tsp salt
Pinch of Nutmeg, cinnamon or other spice
Approximately 5 cups flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Combine water and yeast in a large bowl. Let proof 5 minutes. The yeast should be frothy. If it isn't, your water is too hot or cold or your yeast is no longer active. Try again.

Add oil, sugar, flax meal and water, salt and spice. Stir to combine. 

Gradually stir in flour until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead until just smooth. Do not overknead, or donuts will be tough. 

Place dough back in bowl and cover with a clean towel. Place on top of stove to rise 1 hr. Dough should be doubled in size.

Roll dough out on floured surface, half an inch thick. Use round cookie cutter or drinking glass to cut large circles and a piping tip or bottle cap to cut small holes. Don't forget to cut extra donut holes in the scraps. 

Place donuts and holes on trays 1 inch apart. Play one tray on the stove to rise for 45 minutes, and additional trays in the freezer. Freeze 1 hour, then transfer to freezer bags. 

When well risen, bake donuts and holes 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown. 

Top as desired, cool and enjoy. Makes approximately 2 dz donuts and 4 dz holes. 

Suggested toppings:

Powdered: Brush hot donuts with oil or butter (sub). Toss in medium bowl of powdered sugar. 

Cinnamon: Mix 1 cup powdered or white table sugar with 1 tbs cinnamon. Brush hot donuts with oil or butter. Toss with cinnamon sugar. 

Glazed: Stir together 1 tbs oil or melted butter and 1 cup powdered sugar. Add  1/2 tsp vanilla. Add milk of your choice (I like vanilla almond) or other liquid, a few drops at a time, stirring after each addition, until spreadable consistency is reached. Spread on slightly cooled donuts.

To bake frozen donuts:

Place frozen donuts on tray. Preheat oven to 375. Let rise 1 hour. Bake and top as above.