Homemade Donuts – soft and fluffy yeast donuts you can make in your own kitchen! Just like going to the bakery only warm and delicious at home. Top with chocolate, vanilla, or dust in cinnamon sugar. Even fill them with cream or jelly. The options are endless!
I am pretty sure donuts are one of favorite treat breakfasts. We don’t get them very often, mainly they are reserved for when we are traveling and looking at new donut shops. But when we do get them, they are savored and decadent treat we all love. And we all have our favorite ways to top and fill them. So being able to make them at home, means we are all happy!
I am partial to a chocolate icing, and I am kind of split on sprinkles or no sprinkles. I don’t like heavy sprinkles, but a few I am happy with. My husband loves a white frosted donuts. And let me tell you, coming up with a white icing that mimics what you get at a bakery is tough. Every recipe I found online was just powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. That is a glaze, it is not the true white icing that bakeries have on their donuts. And my son is split. He likes them both, and he will often pick the crazy toppings if they are available.
While we all spent the last couple of months at home, I have been perfecting donuts. I am pretty sure we have had more donuts in the last 2 months that we have in the last year. But no one is complaining! They are light and fluffy just like you expect them to be. And then the sweet icing on top is perfect! It is like you are picking up donuts from your favorite donut shop, only you get to make them! And top or fill with whatever your heart desires.
What is a Raised Donut
There are two basic kinds of donuts. Cake Donuts and Rasied Donuts (or yeast donuts). This donut recipe is for a raised donut. It is called that because the dough is a yeast dough, and a “raises” as the dough sits and the yeast does its thing. Just like a bread recipe that you might make. The dough is then cut into circles and fried in hot oil.
How To Make Donuts
I know this looks long and complicated, but it really is simple. Most of the time you are just letting the dough rise and aren’t actually doing any work. Just a few minutes of hands on work and that is it!
- Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar together and let the yeast bloom. This will take about 5 minutes for the yeast to start to bubble and foam up.
- In a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook mix together eggs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until it is combined.
- Add in yeast mixture and mix until the yeast is incorporated.
- Add in flour and mix until everything is combined and the dough is starting to pull aways from the sides.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about a minute, just until the dough is nice and smooth.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in size. About 1 hour.
- After the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut the donuts out with a donut cutter, a cookie cutter or even a drinking glass. If you want filled donuts, be sure to not cut out the hole in the center.
- Place the donuts on a lined baking sheet, cover and let rise for about 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile heat oil in a large heavy bottom pan. Heat to 375 degrees F. Set up a cooling rack over a baking sheet so the donuts can drain as they cool.
- Carefully add the donuts to the oil, only do a few at a time, and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping half way, until they are a deep golden color. Remove from the oil and place on the baking rack to cool.
- Once the donuts are cool top with icing.
Donut Questions Answered
When it comes to making donuts at home, people have lots of questions! Here is a break down of the most frequently asked questions to hopefully get you started and on the right track! If you have other questions, let me know and I will continue to update the list.
Can You Fill Donuts
Yes, you absolutely can! When you are cutting out the donuts, just don’t cut out the hole in the center. After they are fried and cooled you can fill with whatever you want! Jelly, custard, cream, or even Nutella. These Nutella Donuts I made after we had them on a cruise are one of my all time favorites!
How To Store Donuts
Homemade donuts really are best served when they are still slightly warm the day they are made. You can store them in an air tight container for 1-2 days, but the taste does change. You can also store them without the icing or frosting to help them last a little longer.
Can You Make Donuts Ahead of Time
It really is best to fry the donuts when you want to eat them. But you can make them ahead of time. If you want them first thing the next morning you could fry them the night before and then frost the next morning. Or you can let the dough rise, cut into circles, and then place in the fridge. Then next morning remove and let come to room temperature and rise for about 45 minutes and then fry them. This cuts down on the amount of time and still gives you fresh donuts.
Can You Bake Donuts
Yes, you can bake these. They will not have the same texture as traditional fried donuts, but it is a basic yeast bread dough, so it will bake up just fine. Brush with melted butter and bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes until the are crisp and cooked through.
Can You Airfry Homemade Donuts
Technically the answer is yes. They will not be the same texture as fried donuts, but they will puff up and cook in the air fryer. When you place theM in the air fryer make sure they are not touching and cook for about 5 minutes on 400.
Do I Need A Deepfryer to Make Donuts
Nope, you definitely do not. I use a heavy bottom pot and just fill with oil.
What Kind of Oil to Fry Donuts In
You want to use a neutral flavored oil so you don’t impart any extra flavor on the donuts. Vegetable oil or canola oil work the best because they can also withstand the heat.
If you have never made homemade donuts before, they are not something to be scared of! They are going to be a lot easier than you think to make them. And absolutely nothing beats a fresh still slightly warm donut!
More Breakfast Recipes
- Nutella Muffins
- Chocolate French Toast Bake
- Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes
- Apple Cider Donuts
- Cinnamon Roll Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
- Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
- Double Chocolate Cheesecake Muffins
Homemade Donut Recipe
Homemade Donuts - soft and fluffy yeast donuts you can make in your own kitchen! Just like going to the bakery only warm and delicious at home. Top with chocolate, vanilla, or dust in cinnamon sugar. Even fill them with cream or jelly. The options are endless!
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 1/4 cup milk, warmed to 100 degrees F
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying
Vanilla Icing
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Icing
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 tsp milk
Instructions
To Make The Donuts
- Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar together and let the yeast bloom. This will take about 5 minutes for the yeast to start to bubble and foam up.
- In a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook mix together eggs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until it is combined.
- Add in yeast mixture and mix until the yeast is incorporated.
- Add in flour and mix until everything is combined and the dough is starting to pull aways from the sides.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about a minute, just until the dough is nice and smooth.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in size. About 1 hour.
- After the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut the donuts out with a donut cutter, a cookie cutter or even a drinking glass. Gently knead the scraps of dough together and re-roll. If the dough springs back and doesn't roll out, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue.
- Place the donuts on a lined baking sheet, cover and let rise for about 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile heat oil in a large heavy bottom pan. Heat to 375 degrees. Set up a cooling rack over a baking sheet so the donuts can drain as they cool.
- Carefully add the donuts to the oil, only do a few at a time, and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping half way, until they are a deep golden color. Remove from the oil and place on the baking rack to cool.
- Once the donuts are cool top with icing.
To Make Vanilla Icing
- Mx together all of the ingredients until smooth. If the mixture is too thick add milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time) until you get the desired consistency.
To Make Chocolate Icing
- Using the microwave, melt chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup and milk together in 30 second increments, stirring after each tie. Once it is completely melted and smooth you can dip the donuts.
Decorate Donuts
- Once the donuts have cooled dip the donut into the icing and gently twist to coat. Remove and place on the wire rack. If using sprinkles add immediately before the icing sets.
Notes
Each batch of icing makes about enough for 6 donuts
Recipe Adapted from NY Times Cooking
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 390Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 59mgSodium 301mgCarbohydrates 59gFiber 2gSugar 21gProtein 7g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
I created a fun group on Facebook, and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!
Connect with Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
- S’mores Pie - April 19, 2024
- Taco Sweet Potatoes - April 17, 2024
- Churro Bars - April 16, 2024
Kevin
Monday 15th of June 2020
These look like perfection! Great breakfast for any day of the week!
Catalina
Monday 15th of June 2020
I can't resist to these donuts. They look so inviting!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
Sunday 14th of June 2020
My kids are going to LOVE these donuts!! They look SO GOOD!
katerina @ diethood.com
Sunday 14th of June 2020
Homemade donuts are the BEST! I can't wait to try these! YUM!
Kerri
Saturday 13th of June 2020
I've never made homemade donuts before. I really think I need to try these!