Are you craving that sweet, fluffy goodness of a freshly made donut? Don't settle for store-bought! This comprehensive guide will walk you through making delicious donuts from scratch, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and impressing your friends and family. We'll cover everything from the perfect dough to the best frying techniques and irresistible glazes.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields about 12 donuts. Adjust quantities as needed.
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil, for frying (enough to fill a deep pot about 3 inches deep)
- Candy Thermometer
For the Glaze (choose your favorite!):
- Simple Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-4 tablespoons milk or water
- Chocolate Glaze: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Cinnamon Sugar: ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Donut Making Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This confirms your yeast is active and ready to work its magic!
2. Combine Wet Ingredients:
Add the egg and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes.
5. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation):
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the Donuts:
Punch down the dough to release the air. Roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness. Use a donut cutter (or a biscuit cutter and a smaller round cutter for the hole) to cut out the donuts.
7. Second Rise (Proofing):
Place the donuts on a lightly floured baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
8. Fry the Donuts:
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot to 375°F (190°C), using a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Carefully place a few donuts in the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
9. Drain and Cool:
Remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain excess oil. Let cool completely before glazing.
10. Glaze and Enjoy!
Once the donuts are cool, drizzle your favorite glaze over them. Get creative! You can also sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for a classic touch.
Tips for Perfect Donuts:
- Don't overcrowd the pot: Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in greasy donuts.
- Maintain oil temperature: A consistent oil temperature is key to achieving evenly cooked donuts.
- Let the donuts cool completely: Glazing warm donuts will result in a runny glaze.
- Experiment with flavors: Get creative with your glazes and toppings!
Now go forth and create your own delicious donut masterpieces! Remember to share your creations and tag us! Happy baking!
