Baklawa Doughnuts

Method

For the nut mixture

• 1)

  Finely chop the nuts by hand or in a food processor.

• 2)

  Transfer to a bowl. Add the orange blossom and sugar.

• 3)

  Mix and reserve.

For the yeast

• 1)

  In a tall glass, whisk the warm water, sugar & the active dry yeast.

• 2)

  Leave to froth and rise for 5-10 minutes.

• 3)

  If it does not rise and foam up, don’t use the yeast, it’s not active.

For the dough

• 1)

  In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the dough hook, place the flour, warm milk, butter, egg yolks, sugar, salt, and the proofed yeast mixture.

• 2)

  Start kneading on low speed, until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes.

• 3)

  Slowly increase the speed and knead for another 10-15 minutes or until the dough is a bit tacky to touch but its smooth and springy.

• 4)

  Don’t over knead.

• 5)

  Lightly butter a large bowl (to avoid dough sticking) and the dough (to avoid forming a crust).

• 6)

  Place the dough in the bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel and leave it to proof until at least doubled in volume.

• 7)

  Punch down the dough, turn it out onto the floured surface and roll it to ½ inches of thickness.

• 8)

  Cut out rounds of 3 inch using cookie cutter and place on a tray lined with parchment paper.

• 9)

  Scraps ca be re-rolled and cut.

• 10)

  Cover the doughnuts with a clean kitchen towel and keep them in a warm place to rise again for 45min-1hour or until doubled in size.

• 11)

  Heat 1½ inches oil in a heavy-based pot to about 180C or until a piece of toast thrown in sizzled and browns.

• 12)

  Fry the donuts, about 1-2 minutes per side.

• 13)

  You can fry several at the same time but don’t over crowd the pot.

• 14)

  Transfer to a tray lined with paper towels.

• 15)

  Let cool.

• 16)

  Once they are cool enough to handle, sprinkle them with icing sugar.

• 17)

  Halve them, fill them with a 1/2 tsp of nut mixture and a scoop of pistachio baklawa gelato.

• 18)

  Sprinkle with rose petals and decorate them with more nuts if desired.