Gingerbread Beignets - WDW Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup evaporated milk, heated until warm but not hot
• 1 envelope dry active yeast
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/3 cup shortening
• Vegetable oil for deep-frying