American donuts

Ingredients:

• 3 and 1/3 cups premium flour + extra for work
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp fine salt
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 1 tbsp + 0.5 tsp apple pie spice or cinnamon
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons shortening or unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 0.5 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 0.5 tbsp. + 1-2 tbsp. sparkling water
• Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Preparation:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice. In a shallow dish, combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon. apple pie seasoning. Put it aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted shortening, lemon zest, and 1/2 cup sparkling water until smooth. Fold in the flour mixture. Add the remaining sparkling water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough forms a soft, loose ball.
3. Turn the dough out onto a generously floured cutting board (it will be slightly sticky). Dust with flour and smooth the dough out to a thickness of about 1 cm. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as possible from the dough, then cut a 1-inch hole in the center of each circle. Set the center circles aside. Gather the dough scraps and reshape the dough to a thickness of 1 cm. Continue cutting out donuts and holes, gathering the scraps again, until all the dough is used.
4. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or cauldron, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 190°C (355°F). Fry the doughnuts and their centers, a few at a time, until golden brown, turning occasionally, for 2-3 minutes.
5. Transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil and cool slightly. While still hot, roll them in spiced sugar to coat thoroughly.