Homemade Doughnuts – Soft, Fluffy, and Perfectly Delicious

Few treats are as universally loved as doughnuts. Whether you enjoy them plain, glazed, or filled with custard or jelly, doughnuts offer a world of flavor possibilities. While grabbing a dozen from the local bakery is tempting, there’s something extra special about making your own doughnuts at home. The fresh-from-the-fryer taste, the warm, soft texture, and the satisfaction of making these sweet treats from scratch are worth the effort.

Why Make Doughnuts at Home?

Making doughnuts at home allows you to enjoy them at their freshest and customize the flavors and toppings to your liking. You can make classic glazed doughnuts, sprinkle-coated creations, or filled doughnuts with custard, jam, or cream. Plus, homemade doughnuts let you control the ingredients, ensuring your treats are free from preservatives and made with the best-quality ingredients. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a special occasion, homemade doughnuts are a fun and delicious project for any home cook.

Ingredients and Tools:

To make classic yeast-raised doughnuts, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and tools. The dough is enriched with butter, sugar, and eggs, which gives the doughnuts their fluffy, tender texture.

• Ingredients: All-purpose flour, yeast, milk, sugar, butter, eggs, and oil for frying. Optional toppings like powdered sugar, chocolate glaze, sprinkles, or cinnamon sugar.
• Tools: A mixing bowl, a rolling pin, doughnut cutters or round cookie cutters, a deep frying pot, a thermometer, and a slotted spoon.

Recipe: Homemade Yeast-Raised Doughnuts

• Yield: About 12 doughnuts
• Serving Size: 1 doughnut
• Approximate Nutritional Values per Serving (values are approximate and can vary based on the ingredients used):
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugars: 12 g
  • Protein: 5 g

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Optional toppings: powdered sugar, chocolate glaze, sprinkles, cinnamon sugar

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:
   • In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Add a teaspoon of sugar to help activate the yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy. This ensures the yeast is alive and ready to leaven the dough.
2. Make the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
3. Knead the Dough:
   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
4. First Rise:
   • Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Doughnuts:
   • After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter (or two round cookie cutters) to cut out doughnuts and holes. Re-roll any scraps and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
6. Second Rise:
   • Place the cut doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes, or until they are puffed and slightly larger.
7. Heat the Oil:
   • In a large, deep frying pot, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays at a consistent temperature. Too hot, and the doughnuts will burn; too cold, and they will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
8. Fry the Doughnuts:
   • Fry the doughnuts in batches, carefully lowering them into the hot oil using a slotted spoon. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the doughnuts and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
9. Add Toppings:
   • While the doughnuts are still warm, dust them with powdered sugar, dip them in chocolate glaze, or roll them in cinnamon sugar. If you’re filling the doughnuts, use a piping bag to inject your favorite filling, such as jelly, custard, or cream.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Doughnuts:

• Keep the Dough Soft: When kneading the dough, avoid adding too much flour. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, which will result in tender, fluffy doughnuts.
• Monitor Oil Temperature: Maintaining a consistent oil temperature is crucial for achieving crispy, golden doughnuts without them becoming too greasy.
• Add Flavors and Fillings: Experiment with different flavorings in the dough, like adding a hint of nutmeg or cardamom. You can also fill your doughnuts with custard, jam, or Nutella for an extra special treat.

Topping Ideas for Doughnuts:

• Classic Glaze: Make a simple glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for that iconic shiny finish.
• Chocolate Glaze: Melt chocolate with a little butter and milk for a rich, decadent chocolate glaze.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Roll the warm doughnuts in a mix of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet, spiced coating.
• Powdered Sugar: Dust the doughnuts with powdered sugar for a light, sweet finish.
• Sprinkles: Dip your glazed doughnuts in colorful sprinkles for a fun, playful look.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Doughnuts:

• Doughnut Sandwiches: Slice a doughnut in half and use it as a base for an ice cream or whipped cream sandwich.
• Doughnut French Toast: Dip day-old doughnuts in a classic French toast batter and fry for a decadent breakfast treat.
• Doughnut Holes: Don’t forget the doughnut holes! Fry them just like the doughnuts and roll them in cinnamon sugar or glaze them for bite-sized goodness.

Storing Homemade Doughnuts:

Homemade doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the doughnuts after frying and cooling. Simply reheat them in the oven at a low temperature before serving.

Health Considerations:

Doughnuts are an indulgent treat, so it’s best to enjoy them in moderation. For a slightly lighter version, you can bake the doughnuts instead of frying them. However, keep in mind that fried doughnuts will have that classic crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior that’s hard to beat!

Fun Fact:

Did you know that the doughnut’s iconic hole was invented to solve a problem? In the 19th century, bakers found that frying the dough resulted in uneven cooking, with the center often remaining raw. Cutting out the center allowed the doughnut to cook evenly, giving us the shape we know and love today.