How to Make Delicious Long John Doughnuts

Featured in Intermediate

Long Johns are basically bar-shaped doughnuts. Different shape, same mouth-watering flavor. You can enjoy them with maple frosting or just coat them in chocolate for a delicious sugary treat.

What You’ll Need

• ½ ounce active dry yeast (2 packages)
• ½  cup warm water
• ½  cup half-and-half cream
• ¼  cup sugar
• ¼  cup shortening
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 ½  cups all-purpose flour
• Oil for deep-frying
• Any frosting you like
• Chopped nuts or shredded coconut or sprinkles

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add cream, sugar, shortening, egg, salt, and 3 cups flour. Mix until smooth (you can use a hand mixer). Add more flour until the dough is soft but sticky. 

Put some flour on a surface to knead the dough. Work it until it’s smooth and flexible, for 5 to 8 minutes. Grease a bowl, and put the dough inside. Turn it once so it’s greased all over. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot until it has (at least) doubled its size. It may take more than an hour, be patient!

Deflate the dough and divide it in half. Place it gently on a floured surface and roll each half into rectangles. Cut each rectangle into twelve small rectangles. Set them on greased baking sheets and cover. Let them rise in a warm spot until they have doubled in size, around 30 minutes.

In an electric skillet or a deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry the long johns/bar-shaped doughnuts. Don’t overcrowd the skillet, try frying just a few in each batch. Wait until they are golden brown on both sides and remove them. Drain on paper towels. Just coat them in chocolate or some other delicious frosting and enjoy!