Irresistibly Fluffy Homemade Donuts: Your Ultimate Guide to Bakery-Style Treats
There’s truly nothing quite like a warm, freshly made donut. That irresistible aroma, the delicate chew of the dough, and the sweet glaze melting in your mouth – it’s a pure moment of bliss. While store-bought options are always available, crafting these delightful treats in your own kitchen elevates the experience entirely. This guide will walk you through making incredibly soft and fluffy yeast donuts that taste just like they came from your favorite local bakery, but with the added warmth and satisfaction of a homemade creation. Whether you prefer them dusted in cinnamon sugar, glazed with vanilla, or topped with rich chocolate, the possibilities for customization are truly endless!
Donuts hold a special place in our family’s heart, often marking celebratory occasions or treasured travel memories. We tend to reserve them for discovering charming new donut shops during our adventures. Each bite is savored, a decadent moment we all look forward to. And of course, everyone has their preferred way to enjoy them – a specific topping, a favorite filling. The sheer joy of being able to create these personalized treats right at home ensures smiles all around.
Personally, I have a soft spot for chocolate icing, though I’m always torn on the sprinkle debate. A delicate scattering of sprinkles adds a welcome touch of color and texture, but I shy away from an overly heavy application. My husband, on the other hand, is a devotee of classic white-frosted donuts. Crafting a white icing that truly emulates that distinctive bakery texture and opacity proved to be quite a challenge! Many online recipes yielded more of a thin glaze, a far cry from the rich, opaque frosting found on commercial donuts. My son, ever the adventurer, enjoys both classic options and will eagerly choose the most creatively topped donut if given the chance.
The past few months spent at home presented the perfect opportunity to truly master the art of donut making. I’m fairly certain we’ve enjoyed more homemade donuts in this short period than in the entire last year! And rest assured, there have been zero complaints. These donuts are consistently light, airy, and fluffy, precisely as you’d imagine. Paired with a perfectly sweet icing, they’re nothing short of perfection. It’s akin to visiting your favorite donut shop, except you get the satisfaction of creating these warm, delicious treats yourself – and customizing them with any topping or filling your heart desires.
What is a Raised Donut?
When it comes to donuts, there are generally two main categories: cake donuts and raised donuts (also known as yeast donuts). This particular recipe focuses on the raised variety. They earn their name because the dough is leavened with yeast, causing it to “rise” and expand significantly as it rests, much like a traditional bread dough. This yeast activation is what gives raised donuts their signature light, airy, and fluffy texture. Once the dough has properly risen, it’s cut into classic donut shapes and then deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown. This frying process creates that delightful crispy exterior while maintaining a soft interior.
How To Make Perfectly Fluffy Donuts at Home
While the process of making homemade donuts might seem daunting at first glance due to the multiple steps, I assure you it’s much simpler than it appears. The majority of the time involved is dedicated to allowing the dough to rise, meaning your active “hands-on” work is surprisingly minimal. With just a few minutes of mixing and kneading, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying these incredible treats.
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk (around 100°F or 38°C), active dry yeast, and a touch of granulated sugar. Stir gently and let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll know the yeast is active and ready when it starts to bubble and form a frothy layer on the surface.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine the eggs, the remaining granulated sugar, salt, and melted (and slightly cooled) butter. Mix these ingredients until they are thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Yeast Mixture: Pour the bloomed yeast mixture into the stand mixer bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the yeast mixture is fully incorporated into the dough.
- Add Flour Gradually: Begin adding the all-purpose flour to the mixer bowl, one cup at a time. Mix on low speed until all the flour is incorporated and a soft dough forms. Continue mixing until the dough starts to pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
- Lightly Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently for about one minute by hand, just until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Avoid over-kneading, as this can make the donuts tough.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Roll and Cut: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and place it back on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out evenly to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a donut cutter, a round cookie cutter (and a smaller one for the holes), or even the rim of a drinking glass to cut out your donuts. If you plan to make filled donuts, simply omit cutting out the center hole. Gather any dough scraps, gently knead them together, and re-roll once. If the dough resists rolling, let it rest for 5 minutes before continuing.
- Second Rise: Carefully transfer the cut donuts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure they are spaced apart. Cover them again with a towel and let them rise for another 45 minutes. This second rise is crucial for light and airy donuts.
- Prepare for Frying: While the donuts are undergoing their second rise, heat about 2-3 inches of neutral-flavored oil (like vegetable or canola oil) in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 375°F (190°C). Set up a wire cooling rack over a baking sheet near your frying station; this will allow the fried donuts to drain excess oil as they cool.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Carefully lower a few donuts at a time into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3-4 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are a beautiful deep golden brown on both sides.
- Cool and Ice: Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the cooked donuts from the oil and place them on the prepared cooling rack to drain and cool completely before icing.
- Top with Icing: Once the donuts have cooled sufficiently, they are ready for your choice of delicious icing!
Donut Questions Answered: Your Homemade Donut FAQ
Making donuts at home can spark a lot of questions, especially for first-timers! Here’s a breakdown of the most frequently asked questions to help you get started with confidence. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ask, and I’ll keep this list updated to assist fellow donut enthusiasts!
Can You Fill Homemade Donuts?
Absolutely! Filling your homemade donuts is a fantastic way to add another layer of flavor and indulgence. When you’re cutting out the donut shapes from the dough, simply don’t cut out the hole in the center. Once your solid donuts are fried and have cooled, you can easily fill them. Use a piping bag fitted with a long, thin nozzle to inject your desired filling. Popular choices include fruit jellies, creamy custards, light whipped cream, or even rich Nutella. These Nutella Donuts I made after a cruise are a personal favorite!
How To Store Homemade Donuts
Homemade donuts are undoubtedly at their peak freshness when enjoyed slightly warm on the very day they are made. The delicate texture and fresh flavor are simply unmatched. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Be aware that the texture will soften and the flavor will mellow somewhat over time. For best results and to potentially extend their freshness by a bit, consider storing the plain, unfrosted donuts separately and adding the icing just before serving.
Can You Make Donuts Ahead of Time?
While frying them fresh is always ideal for that ultimate warm, fluffy experience, you can certainly prepare some aspects of homemade donuts in advance. If you’re hoping to enjoy fresh donuts first thing in the morning, you have a couple of options. You could fry the donuts the night before and then simply frost them the next morning. Alternatively, for truly fresh-fried taste, you can let the dough complete its first rise, then cut out the donut shapes, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove them from the fridge, let them come to room temperature, and allow them to complete their second rise for about 45 minutes before frying. This method significantly cuts down on morning prep time while still delivering delicious, fresh donuts.
Can You Bake These Donuts?
Yes, you can absolutely bake these yeast donuts if you prefer to avoid frying. Keep in mind that the texture will be different from a traditional fried donut – they will be more bread-like and less airy, but still delicious! Since this is a basic yeast bread dough, it bakes up beautifully. To bake, brush the shaped donuts lightly with melted butter and bake them in a preheated oven at 425°F (218°C) for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. They make a wonderful alternative if you’re looking for a less oily treat.
Can You Air Fry Homemade Donuts?
Technically, yes, you can air fry homemade donuts. However, just like baking, they will not achieve the exact same light and airy texture as their deep-fried counterparts. Air frying offers a convenient, less oil-intensive method, and the donuts will still puff up nicely. To air fry, place the shaped donuts in your air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow for even cooking. Cook them at 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes, checking halfway through, until they are golden and cooked through. They’ll be a tasty alternative with a slightly chewier consistency.
Do I Need A Deep Fryer to Make Donuts?
No, a specialized deep fryer is absolutely not necessary to make fantastic homemade donuts! Many home cooks, myself included, achieve excellent results using a simple, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. The key is to choose a pot that is deep enough to hold a few inches of oil and has sturdy sides to prevent splattering. A thermometer is essential, however, to accurately monitor and maintain the oil temperature, which is crucial for perfectly cooked donuts.
What Kind of Oil to Fry Donuts In?
When frying donuts, you want to select a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point. This ensures that the oil won’t impart any unwanted flavors to your delicate donuts and can withstand the necessary high temperatures for frying. Vegetable oil and canola oil are excellent choices as they meet both of these criteria, making them ideal for achieving that perfectly golden, crispy exterior without any off-flavors.
If you’ve never ventured into the world of homemade donuts, please don’t be intimidated! This recipe is far more approachable than you might anticipate. The reward of sinking your teeth into a warm, fluffy donut that you made yourself is an experience that truly can’t be beaten. Give it a try – you’ll be amazed at how easy and satisfying it is to create bakery-quality treats right in your own kitchen!
More Delightful Breakfast Recipes
- Nutella Muffins
- Chocolate French Toast Bake
- Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes
- Apple Cider Donuts
- Cinnamon Roll Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
- Easy Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
- Double Chocolate Cheesecake Muffins
Homemade Donut Recipe
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Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 1/4 cup milk, warmed to 100 degrees F
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 packet
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying
Vanilla Icing
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Icing
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
To Make The Donuts
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Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar together and let the yeast bloom. This will take about 5 minutes for the yeast to start to bubble and foam up.
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In a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook mix together eggs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until it is combined.
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Add in yeast mixture and mix until the yeast is incorporated.
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Add in flour and mix until everything is combined and the dough is starting to pull aways from the sides.
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Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about a minute, just until the dough is nice and smooth.
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Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in size. About 1 hour.
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After the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut the donuts out with a donut cutter, a cookie cutter or even a drinking glass. Gently knead the scraps of dough together and re-roll. If the dough springs back and doesn’t roll out, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue.
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Place the donuts on a lined baking sheet, cover and let rise for about 45 minutes.
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Meanwhile heat oil in a large heavy bottom pan. Heat to 375 degrees. Set up a cooling rack over a baking sheet so the donuts can drain as they cool.
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Carefully add the donuts to the oil, only do a few at a time, and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping half way, until they are a deep golden color. Remove from the oil and place on the baking rack to cool.
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Once the donuts are cool top with icing.
To Make Vanilla Icing
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Mx together all of the ingredients until smooth. If the mixture is too thick add milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time) until you get the desired consistency.
To Make Chocolate Icing
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Using the microwave, melt chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup and milk together in 30 second increments, stirring after each tie. Once it is completely melted and smooth you can dip the donuts.
Decorate Donuts
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Once the donuts have cooled dip the donut into the icing and gently twist to coat. Remove and place on the wire rack. If using sprinkles add immediately before the icing sets.
Notes
Recipe Adapted from NY Times Cooking
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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