I. Introduction
Have you ever craved a fresh, warm doughnut, but didn’t want to leave the house or go to a chain store? Making doughnuts at home is a fun and rewarding experience, and with this guide, you’ll be able to create delicious treats with ease. In this article, we’ll cover the ingredients, tools, and steps you need to make perfect doughnuts right in your own kitchen. We’ll even include some easy recipes and healthier options to try!
II. Step-by-Step Guide
Before you start, gather the following ingredients:
- 2 and ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 and ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and melted butter.
Step 2: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a ½-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters to cut out doughnuts and doughnut holes. Place cut doughnuts and holes on a floured baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Heat oil in a large pot or deep fryer until it reaches 375°F. Carefully drop a few doughnuts into the oil, being sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove doughnuts from the oil and place on a wire rack to cool.
Step 6: For the glaze, mix one cup of powdered sugar, ¼ cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Dip the doughnuts in the glaze while still warm and let cool on a rack.
III. Quick & Easy Doughnut Recipes
Not feeling up to making doughnut dough from scratch? Here are some quick and easy recipes to try:
Classic Glazed Doughnuts: Use store-bought biscuit dough to create fresh doughnuts in minutes. Fry them up and dip in a mixture of powdered sugar and milk for a classic glaze.
Chocolate Doughnuts: Use a chocolate cake mix instead of making dough from scratch. Fry the dough in oil, and dip in a mixture of melted chocolate and cream for a chocolatey glaze.
Apple Cider Doughnuts: Combine 1 cup of apple cider, 1 beaten egg, 1 tablespoon of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl. Add 2 cups of pancake mix and stir until a dough forms. Cut the doughnuts into shape, fry, and dip in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
IV. Ingredient Substitutions
Need to make some ingredient substitutions? Here are some tips:
Vegan Substitutions:
- Egg substitutes: applesauce, mashed bananas, flax seeds, chia seeds, or silken tofu
- Milk substitutes: almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk
Gluten-Free Substitutions:
- Flours that can be used in place of wheat flour: rice flour, almond flour, coconut flour, or tapioca flour
- Binders that can be used instead of gluten: xanthan gum or guar gum
V. Doughnut-Making Tools
Make sure you have the following tools to create perfect doughnuts:
- Doughnut Cutter: These cutters come in a variety of shapes and sizes and make cutting perfect doughnuts a breeze.
- Candy or Deep Fry Thermometer: Use one of these to keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, ensuring your doughnuts cook evenly.
- Spider Strainer: A spider strainer is a must-have tool when deep frying. It makes removing the doughnuts from the oil easy and safe.
VI. Healthier Doughnut Recipes
If you’re looking for some healthier options, try these recipes:
Baked Whole Wheat Doughnuts: Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and bake instead of frying. For a glaze, mix together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of milk.
Coconut Oil Doughnuts: Swap vegetable oil for coconut oil and fry up doughnuts as usual. For the glaze, mix together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons of milk.
Low-Sugar Doughnuts: Use half the amount of sugar in your dough recipe and bake instead of frying. For the glaze, mix together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
VII. Conclusion
Now that you know how to make doughnuts from scratch, it’s time to get creative and start experimenting with different flavors, toppings, and textures. Making doughnuts at home is an enjoyable and delicious way to spend time in the kitchen.
