Italian Doughnuts

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

1. 1

   Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2-inch thickness.

2. 2

   If you have a donut cutter useit, at least 2 inch diameter.

3. 3

   If no donut cutter,use a floured 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out doughnut rounds.

4. 4

   Then use a floured 1-inch cookie cutter, cut out a hole in the center of each doughnut.

5. 5

   Gather the dough scraps and reroll.

6. 6

   Cut out more doughnuts.

7. 7

   Whisk the sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl to blend.

8. 8

   Set the cinnamon-sugar aside.

9. 9

   Pour equal parts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches.

10. 10

    Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375ºF.

11. 11

    Working in batches, fry the doughnuts until they puff but are still pale, about 45 seconds per side.

12. 12

    Use a slotted spoon to transfer the doughnuts to paper towels to drain.

13. 13

    Cool slightly.

14. 14

    While the doughnuts are still warm, generously coat each 2 times with the cinnamon-sugar.

15. 15

    Serve warm.

16. 16

    Alternately, cool the fried doughnuts to room temperature.

17. 17

    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.

18. 18

    Set aside until the chocolate sauce comes to room temperature but does not set.

19. 19

    Dip 1 side of each doughnut into the chocolate mixture.

20. 20

    Sprinkle with finely chopped toasted almonds or crushed espresso beans and set aside until the chocolate is set.