How To Make Delicious Donuts At Home: A Detailed Guide For Beginners

To make donuts, prepare a soft dough using activated yeast, and let it rise before shaping. Fry the donuts until golden brown and dip them in a sweet glaze. Enjoy these freshly made treats with various toppings.

To make donuts, activate yeast in warm milk and sugar. Combine it with melted butter, egg, and vanilla, then gradually mix in flour and salt to form a soft dough. Knead the dough and let it rise until doubled in size. Roll out and cut the dough into shapes, allowing them to rise again before frying in hot oil. Once golden brown, dip the donuts in a glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. Enjoy them fresh or at room temperature with various toppings.

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• Prepare Yeast Mixture:
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

• Combine Ingredients:
  • Add melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
  • Gradually add 2 cups of flour and salt to the mixture. Stir until combined.
  • Continue to add more flour, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms (about 3 ½ to 4 cups total).

Step 3: Knead the Dough

• Kneading:
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  • Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

Step 4: First Rise

• Let It Rise:
  • Place the bowl in a warm, draft-free area and let the dough rise for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Donuts

• Shape the Donuts:
  • After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thickness.
  • Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one larger and one smaller for the hole) to cut out donut shapes. Re-roll any scraps to make more donuts.
  • Place the cut donuts on a floured baking sheet or parchment paper, and cover them with a towel. Allow them to rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Step 6: Fry the Donuts

• Frying:
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
  • Carefully place a few donuts in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  • Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 7: Prepare the Glaze

• Make the Glaze:
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.

Step 8: Glaze the Donuts

• Glazing:
  • While the donuts are still warm, dip the top of each donut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to let the glaze set.

Step 9: Serve

• Enjoy:
  • Your homemade donuts are ready to be enjoyed! They can be served warm or at room temperature. Optionally, you can top them with sprinkles or chocolate glaze.

Tips:

• Ensure the oil is at the right temperature to prevent greasy donuts.
• Experiment with different glazes or toppings, like chocolate, sprinkles, or cinnamon sugar.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Enjoy your delicious homemade donuts.