Homemade Donuts
User Reviews
5
Homemade Donuts
Description
This homemade donut recipe uses yeast dissolved in warm water to leaven a soft dough containing milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening, and flour. The dough is kneaded until elastic, then allowed to rise until doubled in size, ensuring a light texture. After rolling and cutting into rings and donut holes, the pieces are given a second rise to increase volume and create a tender crumb.
Donuts are fried in vegetable oil heated between 350°F and 375°F to achieve an even golden brown color without burning or undercooking. Frying time is short, about 30 seconds per side, and donuts are removed promptly to maintain softness inside. Once removed, they are immediately coated in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or icing while still warm for adhesion and maximum flavor.
The recipe details allow for improvisation in cutter size and suggest tools for cutting the center hole. Proper yeast activation and monitoring oil temperature are emphasized to produce consistent results. This classic method yields rich, soft donuts with a variety of coatings to suit taste.
Donuts can be enjoyed fresh and warm, best eaten soon after frying for optimal texture.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 1/8 cup water warm
- 3/4 cup milk lukewarm
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons shortening
- 3 cup flour
- vegetable oil for frying
DONUT COATING (all to taste):
- sugar
- cinnamon
- powdered sugar
- Icing prepared
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in water.
- Combine milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening and add to yeast water.
- Slowly beat in flour on low until smooth elastic.
- Roll dough into a ball, place in a bowl and cover.
- Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Roll out on floured surface about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut with a donut cutter or any circular glass and use a smaller circle to cut out the center (doughnut holes). Separate the doughnut centers (holes) from the doughnut rings.
- Place on a cookie sheet and allow enough room to let them rise. Let rise for about 30 min. Heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees.
- While donuts rise, combine cinnamon and sugar in one bowl and powdered sugar in another bowl. If icing donuts, prepare icing. These need to be ready before frying so the hot doughnuts can be coated immediately.
- Slowly transfer doughnuts with spatula to the hot oil and fry 30 seconds each side until lightly golden brown.
- Place them in the immediately in your coating of choice and shake bowl side to side to coat evenly. Add sprinkles to iced donuts.
- Cool donuts on a wire rack until ready to serve.
Notes
- Allow yeast to dissolve in warm water for at least 5 minutes to ensure it activates properly for light and airy donuts.
- If you lack a donut cutter, improvise with circular household items like a mason jar for the outer circle and a baby formula scoop handle for the center hole.
- Maintain oil temperature between 350°F and 375°F for evenly cooked, golden donuts; use a thermometer to monitor heat.
- The dough should be elastic with slight springiness after mixing, indicating proper gluten development.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 284 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 284kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 93mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 95mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 44IU | 1% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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