How Do You Make Donuts?

Donuts are a timeless delicacy that everyone enjoys. There is something irresistible about a fresh, homemade donut, whether you prefer them glazed, dusted, or filled with delectable cream. This article will guide you through preparing mouthwatering pastries in your kitchen. You don’t need to be a professional baker to acquire this technique; follow the steps outlined below, and you’ll soon enjoy homemade donuts.

Easy Homemade Donuts

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 Hours 55 minutes

The Ingredients

1/2 cup of heavy cream
1/2 cup of whole milk
1/4 cup of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon dried active yeast
3/4 tsp kosher salt
2 cups standard flour
Additional flour for shaping
oil for frying
Vanilla Frosting
1 ounce + 6 teaspoons of powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp of milk
A short amount of salt
Chocolate Glaze
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder in the dark
A short amount of salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
7 tsp of whole milk

Directions

Mix cream, milk, and sugar in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring intermittently. Turn off the heat and chill the mixture to below 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spread dry active yeast over the surface of the liquid and allow it to flourish for 10 to 15 minutes; the mixture should expand.
Stir together the flour and salt in the mixing basin of a stand mixer. Add the yeast-water mix to the flour mix and knead on speed 2 for approximately 5 minutes with the dough hook.
Coat a glass bowl and your palms with oil. Form the dough into a ball with your palms, then transfer it to the oiled bowl.
Cover and rise in an oven for 1 to 2 hours or until at least double in size.
Turn the pastry dough onto a floured surface and shape it to a thickness of approximately 12″. Use a 3″ round cookie cutter for the donuts and a 1 12″ round cookie cutter for the donut openings.
Form the dough, including the donut holes, into a ball and allow it to settle for 10 to 15 minutes before rolling it out again and cutting it into additional donuts. Continue doing so until all of the pastries have been cut out. Or you can omit the donut centers.
Use an oven thermometer to track the temperature during frying, as you may need to modify the heat and aim to maintain the temperature between 350°F and 375°F.
Whichever is the size of your pan, drop three to four donuts into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, turning the donuts midway through cooking. Avoid crowding the receptacle.
Take the donuts from the hot oil and position them on a wire rack over a baking sheet or paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
Combine powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and milk in a small mixing basin until smooth.
Mix powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth to create the chocolate glaze.
You should dip the donuts in the desired glaze and place them on a wire rack set over baking paper to allow excess glaze to trickle off.

Cutting Homemade Yeast Donuts

If you possess a donut cutter, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 12″ and carve it with it. Not owning a donut cutter? For the outer ring, I used a 3″ round cookie cutter, and for the donut holes, I used a 1 12″ round cookie cutter.

Reroll the leftovers and donut holes to create additional donuts. You may keep the donut holes for frying, but you will have fewer donuts.

When rerolling dough, you must give the gluten some time to unwind; otherwise, the donuts will shrink when you cut them.

Frying The Donuts

In a pan with a thick bottom, heat the oil. I used an iron skillet. Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. During the frying procedure, you will need to adjust the heat.

Whichever is the size of your pan, fry three to four donuts at a time until golden brown, turning them midway through cooking. Refrain from filling your pan.

Glazed Homemade Donuts

This formula includes two glaze options: vanilla glaze and chocolate glaze. Both are highly straightforward sugar glazes prepared with powdered sugar and milk. However, there are an infinite number of glazes that can be paired with these pastries.

Try a maple glaze similar to the one on these baked apple pastries.

These baked pumpkin pastries are decorated with a brown butter glaze.

Or celebrate the season with an eggnog glaze, as in this pound cake.

Storing of Donuts

Donuts fried at home are best the day they are prepared, but they will remain soft for up to two days if stored at room temperature in a lightly covered container.

Benefits Of Homemade Donuts

Here are the benefits of homemade donuts :

Customization: When you prepare donuts at home, you have complete control over the flavors and ingredients. You can experiment with various varieties of dough, fillings, and toppings to create unique donuts tailored to your preferences.
Quality Ingredients: When creating homemade donuts, you can choose the highest quality ingredients. Choosing fresh, organic, or natural ingredients can produce a tastier delicacy and potentially healthier than store-bought alternatives.
Freshness: Generally speaking, homemade pastries are fresher than store-bought alternatives. Freshly produced food often tastes better and can provide a more satisfying eating experience.
Portion Control: Making pastries at home allows you to control portion sizes. You can make donuts in smaller sizes, allowing you to indulge without overindulging.
Enjoyment and Satisfaction: Making homemade donuts can be a delightful and satisfying experience. Creating something from scratch can enhance your mood and be a fun activity with family or friends.
Reduced Additives: Homemade donuts are less likely than commercial donuts to contain additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors. It can result in a more wholesome and natural delicacy.
Quality Time: Creating homemade pastries can provide an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. It can facilitate social interaction and strengthen relationships.
Moderation: When you make donuts at home, you are more likely to appreciate them as an occasional treat than a regular food item. It can help you maintain an overall wholesome and balanced diet.