Have You Ever Wondered How to Make Homemade Donuts as Delicious as Your Favorite Bakery’s?
If you love desserts and the idea of making your own donuts excites you, you’re in the right place!
In this guide, we bring you three easy and delicious recipes to make donuts at home: from classic ones to filled and no-bake options.
With these steps, you’ll achieve a fluffy, crispy, and flavorful result.
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How to Make Homemade Donuts?
What are you waiting for? Get ready to surprise your loved ones with these incredible donuts. Follow the recipes carefully and start baking!
8 Basic Ingredients for Making Donuts at Home
The truth is, making homemade donuts is very easy if you have the right ingredients in your kitchen.
Here are the 8 essential ingredients you need to make fluffy and delicious donuts from the comfort of your home.
1. Wheat Flour
So, how do you make homemade donuts? You need wheat flour to give the dough the right structure. Without it, making donuts would be impossible.
We recommend using all-purpose wheat flour to achieve a lighter and fluffier texture.
2. Yeast
This is the ingredient responsible for fermenting and making the dough rise properly, giving the donuts volume and softness.
You can use fresh or dry yeast, but it must always be activated in warm liquid with sugar to ensure it works effectively.
3. Sugar
A secret that few people know: sugar helps activate the yeast. This is essential for achieving the desired donut texture.
Choose between white or brown sugar to enhance the donut’s flavor or go for a more neutral taste that pairs well with any topping.
4. Milk
It adds moisture and softness to the dough, making the donuts tender and flavorful.
Warm milk is recommended to help activate the yeast and improve the integration of the ingredients.
5. Eggs
They are essential for providing structure, elasticity, and a higher level of fluffiness in the dough.
Eggs also contribute to the golden color of the donuts and help bind the ingredients together.
6. Butter or Oil
These ingredients add softness and enhance the dough’s texture and flavor.
Butter gives a creamier, more aromatic touch, while oil can make the donuts lighter and less dense.
7. Salt
Just a pinch of salt is enough. It’s important to use it in small amounts to enhance the flavors in the dough.
Salt should be mixed with the dry ingredients or added away from the yeast, as direct contact can affect fermentation.
8. Vanilla Extract
It provides a delicious aroma and flavor, giving the donuts a special touch.
Don’t like vanilla? You can replace it with lemon or orange zest for a different twist.
Step by Step: How to Make Homemade Donuts?
Making homemade donuts can be a fun and rewarding experience. Follow this simple step-by-step guide and enjoy fresh, delicious donuts made with your own hands.
The First Step: Activating the Yeast
Besides teaching you how to make homemade donuts, we’ll also show you how to activate the yeast.
You’ll need: yeast, warm milk, and a tablespoon of sugar. Mix everything in a large bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Making the Donut Dough
Mix the dry and wet ingredients in a bowl. First, add the flour, sugar, and salt.
Next, add the eggs as indicated in the recipe, along with the butter, yeast, and vanilla extract.
Kneading
Knead for 10-15 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but don’t overdo it to avoid making the donuts too dense.
Letting the Dough Rest
Place the dough in a greased bowl to prevent it from sticking.
Let it rest for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
Shaping the Donuts
Before cutting the donuts with a glass or cutter, roll out the dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1 cm thick.
Second Rest
Have you cut out the donuts? Let them rest again, this time for about 30 minutes. When they have increased in size, they are ready.
Frying the Donuts
Heat enough oil in a pan to 170°C (340°F) and fry the donuts until golden brown.
Draining and Decorating
Remove excess oil. Then, coat them with sugar, glaze, or melted chocolate as you prefer.
3 Types of Donuts You Can Make at Home
Would you like to try how to make homemade donuts?
Here are three delicious options you can prepare at home, from the classic to the filled, to satisfy all your cravings.
1. Classic Donuts
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
- ½ cup sugar
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
Preparation:
Activate the yeast as explained above.
Mix all ingredients and knead until you get a smooth texture. Cover and let rest.
Roll out the dough, cut the donuts with a cutter, and let them rest for another 30 minutes.
Fry in oil and once ready, serve with powdered sugar or glaze of your choice.
2. Filled Donuts
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
- ½ cup sugar
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pastry cream or jam (for filling)
- Oil for frying
Preparation:
Prepare the dough just like in the classic donut recipe.
After resting and shaping the donuts, place a small amount of pastry cream or jam in the center of each.
Seal the edges well to prevent the filling from leaking during frying.
Let them cool and decorate with powdered sugar or a glaze of your choice.
3. Baked Donuts
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Preparation:
In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients.
Now add the wet ingredients and mix until forming a smooth dough.
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it’s 1 cm thick and cut out the donuts.
Preheat the oven and bake the donuts until golden brown.
Remove from the oven, let them cool, and decorate with sugar or glaze.
5 Irresistible Toppings for Your Donuts
Discover 5 irresistible toppings for your donuts that will make them even more delicious.
1. Classic Sugar Glaze
Sugar glaze is one of the most popular and easiest toppings to make. Simply mix powdered sugar with a tablespoon of water and stir.
2. Melted Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most delicious and versatile toppings. Depending on your preferred flavor intensity, use dark, milk, or white chocolate.
3. Sugar and Cinnamon
This topping is a simple option but full of flavor and texture.
Mix sugar with ground cinnamon in proportions to your liking, creating a sweet and aromatic blend that perfectly coats the donuts.
4. Strawberry Glaze
Strawberry glaze gives donuts a fruity, colorful, and delicious touch.
Mash fresh strawberries or use strawberry jam mixed with powdered sugar and a little lemon juice.
5. Dulce de Leche or Caramel
If you’re looking for a creamy and decadent topping, dulce de leche or caramel are ideal options.
You can use dulce de leche directly or warm it slightly for a more fluid consistency, making it easier to spread.
How to Make Homemade Donuts? 5 Tips for Achieving Fluffy Donuts
Take note of these 6 essential tips to make your donuts extra fluffy.
1. Use Fresh Yeast and Activate It Correctly
Make sure to use high-quality fresh or dry yeast and activate it properly in warm milk with a pinch of sugar.
You’ll know it’s activated when foam forms on the surface after letting it rest for 5-10 minutes.
2. Let the Dough Rest
Leave the dough in a warm place without drafts so it can ferment properly for 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
3. Knead Well, but Don’t Overwork the Dough
When kneading, it’s important to achieve a soft and elastic texture, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t exceed this time.
4. Use the Right Amount of Fat
Add the appropriate amount of melted butter or oil. These ingredients contribute to the dough’s softness and fluffiness.
5. Don’t Skip the Resting Time After Shaping the Donuts
Once you’ve shaped the donuts, it’s crucial to let them rest again before frying.
This allows them to expand a little more, ensuring they turn out airier and softer. Let the donuts sit so they have time to rise.