Sweet Valentine's Treats (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Dough

01 - 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk
02 - 120 ml (1/2 cup) water
03 - 21 g (2 tbsp + 1 tsp) active dry yeast
04 - 50 g (1/4 cup) sugar
05 - 550 g (4 1/2 cups) Manitoba flour or bread flour
06 - 2 eggs (120g or 4.2 oz)
07 - 1 egg yolk (20g or 0.7 oz)
08 - 1 tbsp rum (optional)
09 - 5 g (3/4 tsp) salt
10 - 70 g (1/3 cup) unsalted butter
11 - 750 ml (3 1/2 cups) vegetable oil, for frying

→ For the Filling and Coating

12 - 80 g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
13 - 40 g (1/3 cup) powdered sugar
14 - 10 g (1 tbsp) vanilla sugar
15 - 350 g (12 oz) chocolate spread
16 - 360 g (12 oz) apricot jam

# Instructions:

01 - Combine lukewarm milk (30-35°C/85-95°F), water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - In a stand mixer bowl with dough hook, combine flour, eggs, egg yolk, rum (if using), salt, and the yeast mixture. Knead on medium speed for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add butter and knead for another 3-4 minutes until incorporated and the dough easily separates from the bowl.
03 - Cover the bowl with clingfilm and let the dough rise at room temperature (20-25°C/68-77°F) for about 1-1½ hours until visibly increased in size.
04 - Lightly flour a large baking sheet. Roll the dough into a 2 cm (0.8 inch) thick rectangle. Using an 8 cm (3-inch) heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut about 16 hearts. Shape leftover dough into balls. Place on the prepared sheet with space between them.
05 - Cover doughnuts with a lightly dampened kitchen towel and let rise at room temperature for 1-1½ hours until they triple in size.
06 - Heat oil in a large pan to 170-180°C (340-355°F). Carefully place doughnuts seam-side up into the oil, about 4-5 at a time. Cover with lid and fry for 2-3 minutes, then uncover, flip, and fry another 2-3 minutes until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined rack.
07 - Mix all sugars in a deep plate. Coat warm doughnuts in the sugar mixture. For jam filling, warm it slightly in a saucepan. Transfer your chosen filling to a pastry bag and pipe into the doughnuts. Serve immediately.

# Notes:

01 - These heart-shaped doughnuts are perfect for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day celebrations.
02 - In the original Slovenian version, Žito Hit Mix flour is used, but bread flour works well as a substitute.
03 - Make sure your milk and water are lukewarm (30-35°C/85-95°F) for proper yeast activation.
04 - You can fill these doughnuts with either chocolate spread or jam according to your preference.

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