Almond Joy Fried Dough

Almond Joy Fried Dough:

Dough recipe adapted from Taste of Home

1 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

1 cup warm milk

3 tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. shortening

4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

oil for frying

Topping

12 oz. milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup heavy cream, half & half, or milk

6 oz. almonds, ground in food processor

4 cups shredded coconut

Add water to the stand mixer bowl. Add yeast and let sit for five minutes. Stir. Add milk, sugar, salt, shortening and 2 cups of flour. On low speed, combine the ingredients until smooth, scraping bowl with a rubber spatula. Turn off mixer. Add two more cups of flour. Starting on low, incorporate the flour. Gradually increase speed to 4 or medium. Stop the mixer to scrape the flour off the side of the bowl. Once the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl on its own, check the consistency. If it feels wet and clumps to hands, add 1/8 cup of flour at a time until dough no longer clumps. Mix on level 4 or medium for 5 minutes. After the kneading process, dough should be smooth and elastic.

With greased hands, remove dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 times using the palms of your hands. Place in a large greased bowl. Cover with a greased plastic wrap and a cloth towel. Place in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat 3-4 inch of oil in a deep fryer or a frying pan to 375 degrees F. Working with greased hands, punch down dough. Pinch off a small pieces and shape into 5-inch rounds that are no more than 1/4 inch thick. Fry, one at a time, until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to drain.

Place chocolate chips and milk in a microwavable bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave at 20 second intervals and stir until chocolate is thick and syrupy. Add a teaspoon or so of milk if it is too solid. Spoon chocolate glaze on fried dough, sprinkle with almond, top with coconut flakes. Makes about 15 servings.