🍩 Soft & Fluffy Homemade Donuts Recipe
These donuts are light, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth good. They’re fried golden, dusted with sugar, or dipped in a glossy glaze — just like the ones you get from a bakery. No fancy tools. No hard steps. Just warm, fresh donuts that taste like heaven.
✨ Ingredients (For 12 Donuts)
For the Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (not hot)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Frying
- Oil (vegetable or canola)
Sugar Coating or Glaze
Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
Classic Donut Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
🥣 Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
- In a bowl, mix warm milk + 1 tbsp sugar + yeast.
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. (This means the yeast is alive.)
2. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
- Add melted butter, egg, vanilla, and the activated yeast mixture.
- Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead
- Knead by hand for 6–8 minutes (or mixer for 4–5 minutes).
- Dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.
4. First Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the Donuts
- Roll dough to about ½-inch thick.
- Use a donut cutter (or big + small cookie cutters).
- Place shaped donuts on parchment paper.
6. Second Rise
- Cover and let rest for 20–30 minutes.
7. Fry
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry donuts 1 minute per side until golden.
- Place on paper towels to drain oil.
8. Coat or Glaze
Sugar Coating:
Roll warm donuts in sugar + cinnamon.
Glaze:
Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Dip donuts while warm and let them set.
🍩 Tips for Perfect Donuts
- Oil should not be too hot — or donuts will burn outside and stay raw inside.
- Don’t skip the second rise. It makes donuts soft and fluffy.
- Fry in small batches so the oil temperature stays steady.
