Do you crave hot, fresh doughnuts dripping with glaze or piled high with fun toppings? With the right recipes and techniques, you can easily recreate bakery-style doughnuts at home. From fluffy cake doughnuts to chewy yeast-raised rings, this beginner’s guide will walk you through the easy process step-by-step. Soon your kitchen will smell sweeter than any doughnut shop.
Mixing Up the Perfect Doughnut Dough and Batter
Doughnuts come in two main styles: yeast-raised and cake. While yeast doughnuts rely on a finicky yeast dough, cake doughnuts start with a simple cake-like batter.
First, let’s explore yeast doughnuts. To make these fluffy treats, you’ll mix together flour, sugar, yeast, eggs, milk, butter, and flavorings like vanilla. Knead the dough until smooth then let it proof until puffy. Next, punch it down and roll it out to cut rings and fry. While yeast dough takes time to rise, it makes the lightest, fluffiest interior crumb.
Alternatively, whip up an easy cake-style batter mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, eggs, milk, and butter. Stir just until blended, roll and cut. These bake up quicker with a dense, cakey texture.
Doughnut Recipe:
Doughnut Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying vegetable or canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix the milk, yogurt, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be slightly sticky.
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or two different-sized biscuit cutters to cut out doughnuts and doughnut holes.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully place the doughnuts into the hot oil, frying in batches. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown, flipping once.
- Remove the doughnuts from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Optional Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip each cooled doughnut into the glaze, letting the excess drip off.
- Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.
Frying for Bakery-Perfect Results
No matter which dough you choose, frying technique impacts the final texture. Use a heavy pot and a deep fat thermometer to maintain the oil between 360-375°F. This prevents greasy doughnuts.
Carefully drop dough rings into the hot oil, frying just 2-3 at a time. Flip halfway through frying until both sides turn deep golden brown. Drain on paper towel-lined racks. Then toss warm doughnuts in cinnamon sugar or drizzle with glaze.
Creative Flavors from Sweet to Savory
Working in small batches while frying keeps oil temperature constant for the crispiest exterior. This also allows customizing flavors. Swap out spices, extracts, zests or mix-ins batch by batch.
For sweet options, add cocoa powder, lemon zest or crushed cookies to doughnut dough. Core rings and inject jelly or pastry cream. Top with chocolate fudge or salted caramel glaze.
Feeling savory? Mix shredded cheese, cooked bacon bits or herbs like rosemary into doughnut doughs. Sprinkle hot doughnuts with parmesan cheese and serve warm. The possibilities are endless!
Protein-Packed Doughnuts
While doughnuts tend to be an indulgent treat, you can easily pack extra protein into homemade recipes. Simply swap out half the all-purpose flour for protein powder in any doughnut dough recipe. This adds protein while keeping rings soft and fluffy.
For the highest protein levels, use a blend of pea and rice protein powder. Or opt for whey protein concentrate for mild flavor. Top protein doughnuts with chocolate protein drizzle or peanut butter glaze.
Baking Doughnut Cake
While frying creates the quintessential doughnut texture, you can also bake doughnut-inspired cakes. Prepare your favorite cake batter recipe or boxed mix. Grease and heavily flour a doughnut pan with wells. Fill each well about 2⁄3 full with batter.
Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 15-18 minutes. Allow to cool just until you can remove the little doughnut cakes from the pan. Drizzle glazes over warm cake “doughnuts” for an indulgent dessert or breakfast treat.
Taking it Up a Notch with Doughnut Holes
Once comfortable with basic doughnut technique, take it up a notch by forming mini doughnut holes! Simply roll scraps into a long “snake” and slice 3⁄4 inch pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. Fry just like full sized doughnuts, but quicker. Doughnut holes require just 30-60 seconds per side.
Toss warm bites in cinnamon sugar for snacking or dip in melted chocolate. Top doughnut holes with chopped nuts, crushed cookies or rainbow sprinkles for the perfect bite-sized treat!
From classic glazed to fun, creative flavors, now you can feel like a pro making bakery-delicious doughnuts at home! What will you try first?
FAQ
Can I use instant yeast instead of baking powder?
Yes, you can use instant yeast in doughnut recipes, but it requires a different process. Yeast-based doughnuts need time to rise, so follow a recipe specifically designed for yeast doughnuts and allow time for the dough to proof.
Can I substitute buttermilk for regular milk in the dough?
Absolutely! Buttermilk can add a tangy flavor and tenderness to the dough. Substitute an equal amount of buttermilk for regular milk in the recipe for a delightful twist.
Can I bake the doughnuts instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake doughnuts instead of frying them for a healthier option. Use a doughnut pan and follow a baked doughnut recipe that’s specifically formulated for baking.
Can I freeze the doughnuts?
Yes, you can freeze both baked and unbaked doughnuts. To freeze baked doughnuts, ensure they are completely cooled, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag. For unbaked doughnuts, flash-freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Allow thawing before frying or baking.
How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?
Use a candy thermometer to check the oil temperature; it should be around 350°F (175°C). Alternatively, drop a small piece of dough into the oil; if it sizzles and rises to the surface without burning, the oil is ready.
How can I prevent my doughnuts from absorbing too much oil?
Ensure the oil is at the right temperature before frying. Too hot, and the exterior will cook too quickly, leaving the interior undercooked. Too low, and the doughnuts will absorb more oil. Additionally, draining fried doughnuts on paper towels after frying helps remove excess oil.
Can I make the doughnut dough in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. After the dough has risen, you can refrigerate it overnight in a tightly covered bowl. Allow it to come to room temperature before rolling, cutting, and frying.
Can I make gluten-free doughnuts using this recipe?
Yes, you can make gluten-free doughnuts by using a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Ensure all other ingredients used are also gluten-free to accommodate dietary needs.
Can I reuse the frying oil?
It’s possible to reuse frying oil, but it’s essential to strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any debris or crumbs and store it in a cool, dark place. Reusing oil multiple times may affect the flavor and quality of the subsequent batches.
How can I make filled doughnuts?
After frying or baking the doughnuts, allow them to cool. Use a piping bag or a pastry injector to fill the doughnuts with your desired filling, such as jam, custard, or Nutella, through a small hole made in the side.
Experiment and have fun with your doughnut-making adventures! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask or seek clarification on specific doughnut-related queries.
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