Malasadas

Malasadas are Hawaiian / Portuguese donuts. 

Ingredients
1 T Rapid Rise yeast (must use Rapid rise)
1 tsp sugar
¼ cup warm water (important to activate the yeast)

3 cup flour
½ tsp salt
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup melted butter
3 eggs
½  cup evaporated milk
½  cup water

Vegetable oil for frying
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Directions
1.  Dissolve yeast, sugar and water and set aside.
2.  Beat eggs. Measure flour into mixing bowl and add salt. Make a well in the flour, pour yeast mixture, eggs and other ingredients. Beat in circular motion until the dough is soft. Cover, let raise until double.
3.  Heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees.  Make 2 to 3 inch balls of Malasada dough.  I used a lot of flour to keep the dough from sticking to my hands.  Or I hear you can oil your hands too.
4.  Cook in vegetable oil for about 6 minutes or until golden brown and cook through. Set on paper towel or drain in colander to cool just a little roll in sugar or shake in a bag with sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Tips
If the malasadas have a tendency to come out with the center still doughy, turn the heat down on the oil which will allow them to cook longer.
If the temperature is right; The malasada dough should sit on the bottom of the oil for a few seconds and then rise to the surface.  It should take about 3 minutes to cook on each side. Total of 6 minutes until a nice golden brown.  
Test - Make a 2 to 3 inch ball and drop carefully into the oil.  Cook for 6 minutes, take it out and cut in half to see if it is cooked completely through and the outside is a nice golden brown.

Credit: Adapted from Nan Ellen Ah You's recipe & Hawaiian Food recipe