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Close up of decorated Homemade Donuts.
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5 from 6 votes

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 Time2 hours
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Dutch
Keyword: Donuts, Doughnuts
Servings: 12
Calories: 284kcal
Author: Erica Walker

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):

Instructions

  • Dissolve yeast in water.
    Small bowl of combined yeast and water to make Homemade Donuts.
  • Combine milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening and add to yeast water.
    Stand mixing bowl with egg, milk and shortening to make Homemade Donut dough.
  • Slowly beat in flour on low until smooth elastic.
    Hand stretching the dough out of a bowl for Homemade donuts.
  • Roll dough into a ball, place in a bowl and cover.
    Greased bowl with a small ball of Homemade donut dough.
  • Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
    Greased bowl with risen dough for Homemade donuts.
  • Roll out on floured surface about 1/2 inch thick.
    Rolling out a large sheet of dough with a rolling pin for Homemade Donuts.
  • 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.
    Cutting out Homemade Donuts with a cookie cutter in the shape of donuts.
  • 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.
    Baking sheet covered with parchment paper with eight risen cut out Homemade Donuts.
  • 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.
    Toppings for Homemade Donuts including cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, glaze, sprinkles and pink frosting.
  • Slowly transfer doughnuts with spatula to the hot oil and fry 30 seconds each side until lightly golden brown.
    Frying Homemade Donuts next to some fried homemade donuts on paper towels.
  • Place them in the immediately in your coating of choice and shake bowl side to side to coat evenly. Add sprinkles to iced donuts.
    Homemade Donuts being frosted and decorated with toppings including cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, pink frosting, sprinkles and glaze.
  • Cool donuts on a wire rack until ready to serve.
    Decorated Homemade Donuts on a cooling rack with sprinkles on the side.

Video

Notes

Tips on Making the Best Donuts

  • 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

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg