Classic Long Johns

I heard that my sisters were wanting to make donuts and had to share these. I found them in the Taste of Home magazine and give them full credit for the recipe. We made these and loved them and what's even better is that it makes a small, family-sized batch!!!! It says it makes 2 dozen bars but these would be half the regular store size bars, so it's actually about a dozen. Which is perfect for us!

Ingredients:

2 pkgs. (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1/2 c. warm water (110° to 115°)

1/2 c. half and half cream

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. shortening

1 egg

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

3 - 3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

Oil for deep frying

MAPLE FROSTING:

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon half-and-half cream

1/8 teaspoon maple flavoring

1 cup confectioners' sugar

CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons boiling water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the cream, sugar, shortening, egg, salt, nutmeg and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down; divide in half. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll each half into a 12-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Cut into 3-in. x 2-in. rectangles. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.

In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry long johns, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

For maple frosting, combine brown sugar and butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in cream and maple flavoring. Add the confectioners' sugar; beat for 1 minute or until smooth. Frost cooled long johns.

For chocolate frosting, in a microwave, melt chocolate and butter. Stir until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread over cooled long johns; let stand until set. Yield: 2 dozen.