Doughnuts are the ultimate indulgent treat, and there’s nothing quite like a batch of fresh, homemade doughnuts—light, airy, and slightly sweet. When made from scratch, they turn out incredibly fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
For Coating:
- ½ cup sugar (for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Melted chocolate or glaze (optional)
Making the Dough
Start by mixing the warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. Then, add the eggs, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and flour. Stir until it forms a dough, then knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Once kneaded, cover the dough and let it rise for about 1 hour.
Shaping the Doughnuts
Once the dough has risen, roll it out to about ½ inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter (or two round cookie cutters) to shape your doughnuts. After shaping, let them rest for another 30 minutes to rise before frying.
Frying the Doughnuts
Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the doughnuts for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Coating the Doughnuts
While still warm, roll the doughnuts in a sugar and cinnamon mixture (or just sugar if you prefer). You can also dip them in melted chocolate or glaze for an extra indulgent treat.
