How To Make Donuts

Who doesn’t love donuts?

Donuts are the kind of treat that, with just a whiff, transport us to happy moments. Whether you prefer them glazed, filled, or simply fluffy and freshly made, it’s almost impossible to resist one. They are perfect to pair with a morning coffee or as a sweet indulgence at any time of the day.

Moreover, the best thing about donuts is that there’s a version for everyone. From classic fried donuts to vegan or gluten-free options, there’s always a recipe that suits our preferences. And what could be better than enjoying them freshly made at home? Let’s discover how to make them!

Tips for achieving a fluffy texture in donuts

To achieve a fluffy texture in donuts, it’s essential to follow a few key tips. Here’s a list of the best tricks to make your donuts soft and light:

Use bread flour: This type of flour has more gluten, which helps make the dough more elastic and fluffy.
Knead the dough well: Proper kneading develops the gluten, which allows the dough to trap air, resulting in a soft texture.
Respect fermentation times: Let the dough rest long enough for the yeast to do its job and for the dough to double in size.
Control the oil temperature: Fry the donuts at around 180°C so they cook evenly without absorbing too much oil.
Don’t add too much flour: Avoid adding more flour than necessary, as this can make the donuts dense instead of fluffy.

By following these tips, you’ll get irresistibly fluffy donuts.

Ingredients to make the best donuts

Here are the ingredients needed to prepare the dough, filling, and glaze for the donuts:

Dough:

Wheat flour (500 g): The base of the dough that provides structure.
Warm milk (240 ml): Helps activate the yeast and adds softness.
Dry yeast (7 g): Makes the dough rise and become fluffy.
Sugar (100 g): Adds sweetness to the dough.
Eggs (2 units): Provide moisture and help bind the ingredients together.
Melted butter (90 g): Adds flavor and softness to the dough.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor of the dough.

Filling (optional):

Pastry cream (200 g): A classic and creamy filling, perfect for adding a delicious touch to your donuts.

Glaze:

Powdered sugar (500 g): The base of the glaze, making it smooth and sweet.
Hot milk (60 ml): To dissolve the powdered sugar and create a smooth consistency.
Melted butter (60 g): Adds shine and smoothness to the glaze.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds an aromatic touch to the glaze.

With these ingredients, you can make delicious donuts, with options to personalize both the filling and glaze.

How to make traditional donuts from scratch

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare delicious traditional donuts from scratch, including the pastry cream filling and glaze:

1. Prepare the dough:

In a large bowl, mix 500 g of wheat flour, 7 g of dry yeast, 100 g of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. In another bowl, beat 2 eggs with 240 ml of warm milk and 90 g of melted butter. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix until you have a homogeneous dough.

2. Knead the dough:

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it.

3. Fermentation:

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rest in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.

4. Shape the donuts:

Once the dough has fermented, roll it out with a rolling pin until it's about 1 cm thick. Use a donut cutter or two circular cutters (one large and one small) to shape the donuts.

5. Second fermentation:

Place the cut donuts on a tray lined with parchment paper and cover them again with a cloth. Let them rest for 30-45 minutes to rise again.

6. Fry the donuts:

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to about 180°C (350°F). Fry the donuts in small batches, cooking them for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

7. Fill the donuts:

Make sure the donuts are completely cooled before filling them.
Use a small knife or cutter to make a small hole on one side of each donut, ensuring you don’t pierce through to the other side.
Place 200 g of pastry cream in a piping bag fitted with a fine nozzle.
Insert the nozzle into the hole you made and gently squeeze to fill the donut, stopping when you feel it's full.
Repeat this process with the remaining donuts.

8. Glaze the donuts:

Prepare the classic glaze by mixing 500 g of powdered sugar, 60 ml of hot milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until you get a smooth mixture.
Dip each warm donut into the glaze, ensuring you cover the entire top.
Let any excess glaze drip off and place them on a cooling rack to dry slightly.
If you want to add sprinkles or decorations, do so before the glaze hardens.
Let the glazed donuts rest for a few minutes before serving so that the glaze sets properly.

By following these detailed steps, you'll have delicious traditional donuts filled with pastry cream and glazed, ready to enjoy!

Tips for frying donuts to perfection

Frying donuts correctly is key to achieving a golden, crispy exterior and a soft interior. Here are some essential tips to ensure perfect frying:

Use a deep pan or fryer: The oil should be deep enough for the donuts to float and not touch the bottom. This ensures they cook evenly and don’t lose their shape during frying.
Control the oil temperature: The ideal oil temperature is between 160°C and 180°C. If it’s too cold, the donuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy; if it’s too hot, they will brown quickly on the outside but remain raw inside. Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain a consistent temperature.
Fry in small batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan or fryer with too many donuts at once, as this can lower the oil temperature and affect the final result. Fry 2-3 donuts at a time for even cooking.
Turn the donuts frequently: Fry each side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the donuts regularly to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
Don’t handle the donuts too much before frying: To avoid them losing their shape, you can place them in the oil with the parchment paper they’ve risen on. The paper will detach in contact with the oil, preventing deformation.

By following these tips, your donuts will come out golden, fluffy, and delicious.

How to prevent donuts from absorbing too much oil when frying

Preventing donuts from absorbing too much oil is key to keeping them light and crispy. Here are some tips to reduce oil absorption during frying:

Control the oil temperature: The ideal temperature for frying donuts is between 160°C and 180°C. If the oil is too cold, the donuts will absorb more oil. Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain a consistent temperature.
Don’t over-ferment the dough: If the dough has over-fermented, the donuts tend to absorb more oil when frying. Make sure to stick to the recommended fermentation times and avoid letting the dough rise too much.
Fry in small batches: Frying too many donuts at once can lower the oil temperature, causing them to absorb more fat. Fry 2-3 donuts at a time to maintain an optimal temperature.
Use oils with a high smoke point: Oils like canola or sunflower oil have a high smoke point, which helps maintain a stable temperature and reduces oil absorption.
Drain the donuts well: Once fried, place them on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil. Let them drain for a few seconds before glazing or filling them.

By following these tips, your donuts will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, without excess grease.

Popular fillings for donuts

Filled donuts are a delight that combines the fluffiness of the dough with surprising flavors inside. Here are some popular fillings you can try:

Pastry cream: A classic, smooth, and creamy filling that never fails.
Strawberry jam: Adds a sweet and fruity touch, ideal for those looking for something lighter.
Nutella or hazelnut cream: Perfect for chocolate lovers, with a rich and creamy texture.
Dulce de leche: An indulgent and caramelized filling that is very popular in many countries.
Chocolate cream: Similar to Nutella but with a more intense cocoa profile.

These fillings are perfect for giving your homemade donuts a delicious twist. Choose your favorite or try several!

Some glazes for donuts

There are many delicious options to glaze your donuts and give them a special touch. Here are some popular glaze ideas you can use:

Vanilla glaze: A classic that never fails, made with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
Chocolate glaze: Perfect for chocolate lovers, this glaze is smooth and rich.
Maple glaze: Ideal for a sweet and deep flavor, made with maple syrup.
Strawberry glaze: Adds a fruity and colorful touch to the donuts, using strawberries or strawberry jam.
Nutella glaze: An indulgent option for Nutella fans, with a creamy and hazelnut twist.

These glazes are perfect for personalizing your donuts according to your taste or the occasion. Choose your favorite or try several!

Vegan ingredient alternatives for making donuts

If you want to make vegan donuts, there are many alternatives to replace animal-based ingredients without losing flavor or texture. Here are some popular options:

Plant-based milk: Replace cow's milk with plant-based milks like almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. They add smoothness and work just like traditional milk.
Coconut oil or vegan margarine: Instead of butter, you can use coconut oil or plant-based margarine. Both ingredients provide fat and help give the donuts a fluffy texture.
Flax or chia egg: To replace eggs, mix flax or chia seeds with water. This gelatinous mixture acts as a binder in the dough.
Coconut sugar or panela: Instead of refined sugar, you can opt for natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or panela, which also add a slight caramelized touch.
Apple cider vinegar and baking soda: This combination helps the donuts rise and become fluffy, replacing the effect of eggs.

With these alternatives, you can enjoy delicious and healthy vegan donuts.