A simple recipe for warm, fresh, and delicious homemade doughnuts!
Doughnuts remind me of being on holiday (not abroad). We would always buy them from a doughnut truck whenever we went away – I just can’t resist the warm, sugar-coated goodness!
It was my boyfriend who came up with the idea of making them at home. I’m glad he did, these are scrumptious. Warm and cakey in the middle, and crisp, sweet and sugary on the outside. I didn’t add any extra flavourings, besides vanilla, to this recipe, but I bet a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg would take these doughnuts over the edge! See recipe notes below if you’d like to add extra flavourings.
Now, if you don’t have an electric deep-fat fryer, you can use a large deep skillet or pan like I did. You want to fill it up to 1″ of oil, and get it up to 375F/190C. Use a cooking thermometer like this one. Fry one side of the doughnut for about 15 seconds or until golden, then flip and fry the other side. Done!
Enjoy!
Homemade Doughnuts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g, melted)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 and 4/5 cups plain flour (350g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
- Oil for frying
- In a medium bowl, mix together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then stir into the sugar mixture alternating with the milk until combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into doughnuts using a doughnut cutter, or you could use a large round cookie cutter, and a small one for the centre. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
- Heat 1″ of oil in a large deep skillet to 375F/190C. Fry for 15-20 seconds (or until golden brown) on each side, then remove from the oil.. Drain on paper towels.
- Roll the doughnuts in the melted butter, then the sugar whilst still warm, or frost with your preferred frosting.
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Amy Thomas
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
This looks great! One question, though - I guess the dough is dry enough that it doesn't just fall apart in the fryer? Also, any thoughts about making chocolate donuts with your recipe? Chocolate is my family's favorite, and my daughter has a birthday in coronavirus quarantine coming up. It would be great to make her something special.
Marsha
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
Hi Amy! The dough will not fall apart when fried. To make these chocolate, substitute a small amount of flour (about 1/4 cup) with cocoa powder. Enjoy! :)
Jessica Robinson
Thursday 28th of December 2017
Oh boy these look great! One of my fondest memories of growing up on a small farm, was my mama frying doughnuts. Our Golden Retrievers would stand under her feet, waiting for doughnut holes to "drop!"
Jessie
Wednesday 12th of July 2017
Should there be two lots of melted butter - one mixed in and another for coating? How much do you reckon on using for coating?
Marsha
Thursday 13th of July 2017
Sorry for the confusion, I didn't mention a second lot of butter for the coating! I would use about 1/2 cup (115g) melted butter for coating, just to be sure there's plenty :)
Urvi
Tuesday 1st of September 2015
I love donuts.. It looks yummy... I will definitely try these
Marsha
Tuesday 1st of September 2015
Thanks! I hope you do!
Swati Hegde
Wednesday 26th of August 2015
I LOVE DOUGHNUTS!! Buuuut I doubt I could ever make them from scratch. Still, I shall try someday. Under careful supervision, lest I burn the house down.
Marsha
Wednesday 26th of August 2015
Thanks, Swati! These are super easy to make! :)