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Homemade Donuts

Homemade Donuts are light and airy on the inside, crisp and golden on the outside, and easy to make in the comfort of your own kitchen!

Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 284 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Dutch

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon yeast
  • 1/8 cup warm water
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm milk
  • 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
  • prepared icing

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Dissolve yeast in water.
  2. Combine milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening and add to yeast water.
  3. Slowly beat in flour on low until smooth elastic.
  4. Roll dough into a ball, place in a bowl and cover.
  5. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  6. Roll out on floured surface about 1/2 inch thick.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Slowly transfer doughnuts with spatula to the hot oil and fry 30 seconds each side until lightly golden brown.
  11. Place them in the immediately in your coating of choice and shake bowl side to side to coat evenly. Add sprinkles to iced donuts.
  12. Cool donuts on a wire rack until ready to serve.

Notes

  • I once used a mason jar for the larger circle and cut off the handle of a baby formula scoop for the smaller circle creating the donut holes.
  • Don't rush the yeast process. For light and airy donuts you want to let your yeast dissolve for at least five minutes in warm water. 
  • After mixing the other ingredients, your dough should have an elastic texture. It should also have a slight spring to it.
  • We've found that the oil works best when heated to between 350 and 375 degrees. Use a thermometer to make sure you have it at the right temperature. Too cold and they won't fry up to a beautiful golden color; too hot and they'll burn before the insides are cooked all the way through.
  • If you don't have a donut cutter, it's easy to improvise. I once used a mason jar for the larger circle and cut off the handle of a baby formula scoop for the smaller circle creating the donut holes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 284kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 15mg (5%) Sodium 93mg (4%) Potassium 95mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 44IU (1%) Calcium 28mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 284

% 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.