Ingredients:
1 lb prepared pizza dough
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
vegetable oil, for deep-frying
olive oil, for deep-frying
Directions:
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2-inch thickness.
If you have a donut cutter useit, at least 2 inch diameter.
If no donut cutter,use a floured 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out doughnut rounds.
Then use a floured 1-inch cookie cutter, cut out a hole in the center of each doughnut.
Gather the dough scraps and reroll.
Cut out more doughnuts.
Whisk the sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl to blend.
Set the cinnamon-sugar aside.
Pour equal parts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches.
Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 F.
Working in batches, fry the doughnuts until they puff but are still pale, about 45 seconds per side.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the doughnuts to paper towels to drain.
Cool slightly.
While the doughnuts are still warm, generously coat each 2 times with the cinnamon-sugar.
Serve warm.
Alternately, cool the fried doughnuts to room temperature.
Stir 3 ounces of milk chocolate and 1/4 cup of whipping cream in a heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until the chocolate melts.
Set aside until the chocolate sauce comes to room temperature but does not set.
Dip 1 side of each doughnut into the chocolate mixture.
Sprinkle with finely chopped toasted almonds or crushed espresso beans and set aside until the chocolate is set.
Servings: 9-12
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 30 min.