Description
A straightforward and forgiving recipe for warm, fluffy doughnuts, perfect for satisfying indulgent cravings with mindful ingredient swaps.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup warm water (100–110°F / 38–43°C)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one 0.25-oz / 7 g packet)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk or evaporated milk, room temperature (120 ml)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10 ml)
- 3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (450–480 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (42 g)
- Vegetable oil or peanut oil for deep frying
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (60 g) for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Pour warm water into a medium bowl, sprinkle in yeast and half the sugar, and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk together milk, vanilla, remaining sugar, and egg in a large bowl.
- Add 1 3/4 cups of flour to the wet mix and whisk until smooth.
- In a stand mixer, combine remaining flour and salt, then blend in butter until absorbed. Knead dough until smooth.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and let rise until doubled in size (1.5 to 2 hours).
- Punch dough down, roll to 1/2-inch thick, and cut into shapes.
- Let cut doughnuts rest on a floured tray for 15–20 minutes.
- Heat oil to 360°F (182°C) and fry doughnuts in batches for 90 seconds to 2 minutes per side.
- Dust with powdered sugar or glaze before serving.
Notes
For a healthier option, consider baking the doughnuts at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes instead of frying.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: doughnuts, dessert, fried treats, comfort food, homemade