Homemade Donuts
There’s something truly magical about the smell of fresh, warm donuts wafting through your kitchen. Making your own Homemade Donuts not only fills your home with delightful aromas but also gives you the satisfaction of creating a beloved treat from scratch. Whether you’re indulging on a lazy Sunday morning or surprising friends for brunch, these donuts are sure to impress. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit any occasion. Let’s dive into the sweet world of homemade goodness!
The Upside of Homemade Donuts
When it comes to donuts, nothing beats the fresh, fluffy texture of a homemade batch. Here are some compelling reasons to try making your own:
- Freshness: You can enjoy them warm right out of the fryer!
- Custom flavors: Experiment with different toppings, fillings, and glazes.
- Quality ingredients: Use the best ingredients to make them healthier and more flavorful.
- Fun activity: Great for family bonding or a fun gathering with friends.
What Goes Into Homemade Donuts
To create these delicious Homemade Donuts, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream: This adds richness and a lovely texture to the dough.
- ½ cup whole milk: Balances the richness of the cream.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with browning during frying.
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast: The key ingredient that helps the donuts rise.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances the flavors.
- Oil for frying: Use a neutral oil such as vegetable or canola.
- 1 cup + 6 tablespoons powdered sugar: For the sweet glaze.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting flavor.
- 2 tablespoons milk: To thin out the glaze.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness in the glaze.
- ½ cup powdered sugar: For the chocolate glaze.
- ½ cup Dutch-processed dark cocoa powder: For a rich chocolate flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances the cocoa flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla for the chocolate glaze.
- 7 teaspoons whole milk: To achieve the desired consistency for the chocolate glaze.
Kitchen Gear Checklist
Before you start frying up those delightful Homemade Donuts, make sure you have the following tools on hand:
- Mixing bowls: For combining ingredients.
- Whisk: To mix the wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
- Rolling pin: For rolling out the dough to the perfect thickness.
- Donut cutter: For shaping your donuts (a round cookie cutter works too).
- Frying thermometer: To monitor the oil temperature accurately.
- Slotted spoon: For safely removing donuts from the oil.
- Cooling rack: To allow the donuts to cool after frying.
- Large pot or deep fryer: For frying the donuts.
Mastering Homemade Donuts: How-To
Making Homemade Donuts is easier than you might think! Follow these steps for perfectly fluffy donuts.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until frothy.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Donuts
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out to about ½ inch thick. Use a donut cutter to cut out the donuts and holes. Place them on a floured baking sheet.
Step 5: Heat the Oil
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a frying thermometer to maintain the temperature.
Step 6: Fry the Donuts
Carefully place the donuts in the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a cooling rack.
Step 7: Make the Glazes
For the vanilla glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. For the chocolate glaze, mix the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, and whole milk until combined.
Step 8: Glaze the Donuts
Once the donuts are cool, dip the tops into the glaze of your choice, allowing any excess to drip off. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before enjoying!
Make It Year-Round
The beauty of Homemade Donuts is their versatility. Here are some ideas to enjoy them all year long:
- Seasonal flavors: Incorporate pumpkin spice in fall or peppermint during the holidays.
- Fillings: Try adding jelly, cream, or custard for a delightful surprise.
- Special occasions: Decorate with festive sprinkles for birthdays or holidays.
- Breakfast twist: Serve with fresh fruit and yogurt for a fun brunch idea.
Slip-Ups to Skip
Even the best bakers can make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when making Homemade Donuts:
- Not allowing the dough enough time to rise, leading to dense donuts.
- Using oil that’s too hot, resulting in burnt outsides and raw insides.
- Overcrowding the pot during frying, which can lower the oil temperature.
- Skipping the cooling rack, which can make the donuts soggy.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
To keep your Homemade Donuts fresh and delicious, follow these tips:
Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Simply place the cooled donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply place the frozen donuts in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
Reader Questions
Can I use almond milk instead of whole milk?
Yes! Almond milk can be used as a substitute; however, it may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the donuts.
What can I use instead of active dry yeast?
You can use instant yeast, which doesn’t require proofing. Just add it directly to the dry ingredients.
Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?
Yes! For baked donuts, simply pour the batter into a donut pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes.
How do I make my donuts more flavorful?
Consider adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough, or infuse the glaze with flavored extracts like almond or maple.
Hungry for More?
If these Homemade Donuts have left you craving more delicious recipes, stay tuned! From decadent cakes to scrumptious savory dishes, there’s always something new to try. Keep exploring the world of baking and cooking, and don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors and techniques. Happy baking!
Homemade Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until frothy.
- In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out to about ½ inch thick. Use a donut cutter to cut out the donuts and holes. Place them on a floured baking sheet.
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a frying thermometer to maintain the temperature.
- Carefully place the donuts in the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a cooling rack.
- For the vanilla glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. For the chocolate glaze, mix the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, and whole milk until combined.
- Once the donuts are cool, dip the tops into the glaze of your choice, allowing any excess to drip off. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before enjoying!
Notes
- Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freeze donuts for up to 3 months for longer storage.
- Reheat frozen donuts in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
