Drunken Doughnuts!

Hi ya! It's Friday! Don't forget to read my T.G.I.F. blog. What? You don't get it? We can fix that real quick, eh! Drop me a note and I'll add you to my subscriber list! Now, before you forget, pour yourself a remarkably perky mug of coffee and help yourself to a drunken...oops, I mean a virtual treat! But speaking of drunken treats,  Zac Young, a contestant on Top Chef: Just Desserts and the executive pastry chef at Flex Mussels, has moved doughnuts from coffee break to cocktail hour.

Following a pop-up in New York City's Grand Central Station this winter, Young is offering his alcohol-fueled "drunken doughnuts" on a secret menu at both Flex Mussels locations. The donuts are filled with adults-only custards inspired by popular cocktails such as Margaritas and White Russians.

But you don't have to be in New York to try this boozy comfort food: Young has shared the recipe for his newest creation. The "White Lightning" is a Liquid Lightning energy drink and vodka cocktail in donut form. Make them at home for a fun late-night alternative to that cup o' joe.

Ingredients

Starter:

2 cups Warm Water

2 tablespoons Active Dry Yeast

2 cups All-Purpose Flour

Donuts:

10 ounces Unsalted Butter

cups Sugar

6 Eggs

1/4 cup Vanilla Extract

8 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 cup Salt

Filling:

600 grams white chocolate

100 grams corn syrup

150 grams heavy cream

100 grams Grey Goose vodka

250 grams Liquid Lightning

of salt

Preparation

1.Starter: Dissolve yeast in water then whisk in flour. Cover with plastic and let double in volume in a warm place.

2.Doughnuts: Using a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs 1 at a time followed by vanilla. Stir in flour and salt until mealy (not a dough)

3.Stir in starter

4.Switch to the hook attachment and mix to a firm ball

5.Place in oiled bowl and let rise till doubled

6.Cut into 2 inch rounds and place on floured sheet trays

7.Let rise another hour

8.Fry at 350 degrees, flipping once

9.Let cool slightly

10.Using a pastry bag, pipe the filling into each doughnut

11.Filling: Melt the white chocolate

12.In a separate pot, pour corn syrup and cream and bring to a boil

13.Slowly mix the corn syrup/cream blend into the melted white chocolate to make a perfect emulsion

14.Add a pinch of salt

15.With a hand mixer or a food processor, add the vodka and Liquid Lightning

16.Place plastic on top of curd to prevent skin from forming

17.Refrigerate overnight or at least six hours

18.The filling may seem a bit liquid, but the chocolate will firm up over night

Don't forget to upload me a couple, okay?

See ya, eh!

Bob