Doughnuts, or donuts, are a delightful treat that many people adore. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, making them at home can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Here’s a straightforward guide to help you create your own delicious doughnuts from scratch!

Ingredients You'll Need

To make your doughnuts, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk: Adds richness and flavor.

• ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough.

• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise.

• 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: Gives structure to the dough.

• ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor.

• 6 tablespoons melted butter: Adds richness.

• 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together.

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a lovely flavor.

• Oil for frying: Needed for cooking the doughnuts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Yeast

Start by warming the milk in a saucepan until it’s slightly hot but not boiling (about 110°F or 43°C). Remove it from heat and stir in the yeast. Let this mixture sit for about five minutes until it becomes bubbly. This means your yeast is active and ready to go!

2. Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bubbly yeast mixture with the eggs, ¼ cup of sugar, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add in the flour until you form a soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

3. First Rise

Grease a large bowl and place your dough inside. Cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which should take about 1 to 2 hours.

4. Shape Your Doughnuts

Once your dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out to about ½ inch thick. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (one larger for the outer shape and one smaller for the hole) to cut out your doughnuts.

5. Second Rise

Place the cut doughnuts on a floured baking sheet and cover them lightly with a towel. Let them rise again until they look puffy (about one hour).

6. Heat the Oil

In a fryer, heat oil to about 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to ensure you get this temperature right.

7. Fry Your Doughnuts

Carefully add a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry them for about one minute on each side until they are golden brown. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to handle them gently.

8. Drain and Cool

Once fried, remove the doughnuts from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain any excess oil.

9. Glaze Your Doughnuts (Optional)

For an easy glaze, mix powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip warm doughnuts into this glaze for a sweet finish.

Enjoy Your Homemade Doughnuts!

Making doughnuts at home is not only fun but also allows you to enjoy fresh treats just how you like them! Feel free to experiment with different toppings like sprinkles, chocolate icing, or even flavored glazes. Share your delicious creations with family and friends, and enjoy every bite!

Making Easy Classic Donuts At Home

Video by Joshua Weissman