🍩 Alphabet Donuts

Ingredients
For the Dough:
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup warm milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying:
Vegetable oil, enough for deep frying
For Coating:
½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Activate the yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
Make the dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the egg, melted butter, vanilla, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead:
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Let it rise:
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape the letters:
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use alphabet-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the letters.
Fry:
Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the dough letters in batches for about 1–2 minutes per side, until puffed and golden brown.
Drain:
Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
Finish:
While still slightly warm, generously dust the alphabet donuts with powdered sugar.