Donuts have an undeniable charm, especially when they're freshly made at home.
Classic donut recipes are timeless and surprisingly easy to recreate in your kitchen.
Whether you're a fan of fluffy yeast donuts or prefer the simplicity of a cake donut, we'll cover a few delicious recipes that capture that homemade magic.
Let's dive into these classic donut recipes you can whip up with ingredients you likely already have at home.
1. Classic Yeast Donuts
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
- 3/4 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, sugar, salt, egg, butter, and 1 cup of flour. Mix well, then add the yeast mixture and the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into donut shapes.
6. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F. Fry donuts a few at a time until golden brown, about 1 minute per side.
7. Drain on paper towels, then dip in sugar, glaze, or frosting as desired.
2. Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts
For those who love a dense, cakey donut, sour cream donuts are perfect. These old-fashioned donuts have a slight tang and are great for dipping in a sweet glaze.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
2. In another bowl, mix sour cream, milk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick on a floured surface, then cut into donut shapes.
5. Fry the donuts in 350°F oil for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
6. Drain on paper towels, then glaze with a simple mixture of powdered sugar and milk for extra sweetness.
3. Apple Cider Donuts
Apple cider donuts bring the flavors of fall to your kitchen. They're moist, flavorful, and have a hint of cinnamon that pairs beautifully with a cozy cup of coffee.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, simmer the apple cider until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Let it cool.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the reduced cider, buttermilk, sugars, egg, and melted butter.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness and cut into donut shapes.
6. Fry in 350°F oil until golden, about 1-2 minutes per side.
7. After frying, coat in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Donuts
- Temperature Matters: Always check your oil temperature with a thermometer. Aim for 350°F. If it's too hot, the donuts will cook too quickly on the outside and remain doughy inside.
- Dough Consistency: Avoid over-kneading or overmixing the dough, which can make donuts tough.
- Try Glazes and Toppings: A simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk is classic, but you can add vanilla, chocolate, or even maple flavoring. Sprinkles, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes make fun toppings.
Bringing Classic Donuts to Your Kitchen
Homemade donuts are a perfect treat to make for family and friends. These classic recipes allow for customization and provide a fun way to experiment with glazes, fillings, and flavors. Plus, nothing compares to the satisfaction of biting into a warm donut you've made yourself!
Donut Recipe | Homemade Donut Recipe
Video by Spicy Foodz
