Experience the unparalleled delight of sinking your teeth into a perfectly crafted donut, made right in your own kitchen! These Easy Homemade Donuts redefine convenience and flavor, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish. Forget the long queues and expensive trips to the donut shop – you can now create delectable, melt-in-your-mouth donuts that are every bit as good, if not better, than your favorite bakery’s offering. Get ready to impress your family and friends with the most amazing homemade donut you’ll ever taste!
The Ultimate Guide to Easy Homemade Glazed Donuts
Imagine a donut with a delightful crisp exterior, giving way to a wonderfully tender, airy interior, all generously coated in a simple yet irresistibly sweet glaze. This isn’t just a dream; it’s the reality with our Easy Homemade Donuts recipe! Crafted from scratch in roughly 20 minutes, these treats are pure perfection. Many who try them declare them to be some of the finest old-fashioned donuts they’ve ever had, rivaling any shop-bought delicacy.
Your Daily Donut Delight: Why Homemade Reigns Supreme
For many of us, the love affair with donuts is a serious one – an obsession, an addiction, a pure joy that brightens any day. If you find yourself constantly dreaming of that perfect donut, you’re not alone! While there are many fantastic donut recipes out there, from Blueberry Donuts to ingenious 2-Ingredient Baked Cake Donuts, this particular fried recipe offers an unparalleled experience. It’s easy to fall into the habit of enjoying a donut every morning, but these homemade wonders allow for a controlled indulgence. Why limit yourself when you can create them from scratch in mere minutes? This recipe ensures you can satisfy your donut cravings without the usual effort or guilt, making it a perfect addition to your breakfast rotation a couple of times a week.
The 20-Minute Donut Revolution: Fast, Fresh, and Fabulous
Many homemade donut recipes, especially those relying on yeast, often demand hours of rising and resting time, making them a weekend project rather than a spontaneous morning treat. But what if you could have the authentic taste and texture of a freshly fried donut in a fraction of that time? This recipe delivers on that promise. Our scratch-made donuts are ready from start to first bite in approximately 20 minutes, perfect for those mornings when the donut craving strikes hard and patience is in short supply.
The secret lies in foregoing yeast for baking powder, which acts as a quick leavening agent. This means no waiting for dough to rise, allowing you to go from mixing bowl to a warm, glazed donut remarkably fast. This quick turnaround makes it an ideal option for busy households or anyone who wants a delicious, homemade breakfast without a significant time commitment.
Paired with a steaming cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of cold milk, these delightful donuts offer an incredibly sweet and satisfying way to kickstart your day. They are a testament to how simple ingredients and a streamlined process can yield extraordinary results.
Crafting Homemade Indulgence: Tips for Donut Perfection
When you commit to frying your own donuts, you want them to be nothing short of spectacular. This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor and texture for a truly indulgent experience. A key player in achieving this rich, decadent taste and thicker texture is the generous use of heavy cream, both in the donut dough and in the glaze. This simple addition elevates the donuts, making them exceptionally moist and flavorful, with a glaze that adheres beautifully and melts in your mouth.
The speed of this recipe – just 20 minutes from start to bite – is genuinely revolutionary. This ease of preparation might just change your donut habits forever. Those spontaneous trips to the donut shop may become a thing of the past once you realize how effortlessly you can create superior donuts at home. The temptation to enjoy these exquisite treats more than twice a week will be strong, given their amazing taste and minimal effort.
Prepare to be thrilled! These donuts are simple to make, incredibly sweet, and utterly scrumptious. The moment you take that first bite, you’ll be amazed at the professional-quality donuts you’ve created in the comfort of your own home, and in such a short amount of time. It’s a culinary triumph waiting to happen!
Essential Ingredients and Tools for Your Easy Homemade Donuts
Gathering your ingredients and tools before you begin ensures a smooth and enjoyable donut-making process. Most of these items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. For the best results, always opt for fresh ingredients.
- Bread Flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: For sweetness in the dough.
- Baking Powder: The quick-acting leavening agent that eliminates proofing time.
- Kosher Salt: Balances flavors and enhances sweetness.
- Heavy Cream: Crucial for the rich texture and indulgent taste in both the donuts and glaze.
- Large Egg: Binds the dough and adds richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for classic donut flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted, for tenderness and flavor.
- Canola Oil: Or other neutral high-smoke point oil for frying.
- Powdered Sugar: The base for your sweet, smooth glaze.
And for your tools, you’ll need:
- Large Pot or Deep Fryer: For safe and even frying.
- Candy Thermometer: Absolutely vital for maintaining the correct oil temperature.
- Large and Small Round Cookie Cutters: To create the classic donut shape and the donut holes.
- Wire Cooling Rack: For excess oil to drip off and for glaze to set.
- Aluminum Sheet Pan: To place under the wire rack for easy cleanup.
- Large Mixing Bowls and Whisk: For preparing the dough and glaze.
How to Make Your Easy Homemade Donuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create delicious, golden-brown donuts with a perfect glaze. Pay close attention to oil temperature for the best results!
- Prepare the Frying Oil: Fill a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed pot with canola oil, ensuring it’s at least 2 inches deep. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot and heat the oil to a precise 350°F (175°C). Maintaining this temperature is critical for perfectly cooked, non-greasy donuts.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: While the oil is heating, combine the bread flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk them thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, large egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well combined.
- Form the Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir initially with a spoon, then use your hands to gently knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth, cohesive ball. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the donuts tough.
- Cut the Donut Shapes: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Place the dough ball on it and roll it out evenly to about ½-inch (1.25 cm) thickness. Use a dedicated donut cutter or two round cookie cutters (one large for the donut and one small for the hole) to cut out your donut shapes. Dip the cutters in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut more donuts until all the dough is used. This recipe typically yields about 20 donuts and donut holes.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. The glaze should be thin enough for dipping but thick enough to coat the donuts. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more cream; if too thin, a spoonful of powdered sugar will help.
- Fry the Donuts: Once the oil reaches 350°F (175°C), carefully place a few donuts into the hot oil, being mindful not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding will drop the oil temperature and lead to greasy donuts. Fry the donuts for approximately 15-30 seconds per side, flipping them twice, for a total frying time of about 2 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown on both sides. They cook very quickly, so watch them closely to prevent burning!
- Drain Excess Oil: Using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer the fried donuts to a wire rack placed over a rimmed cookie sheet lined with paper towels. This allows any excess grease to drip off, ensuring your donuts aren’t oily. Continue frying the remaining donuts in batches.
- Glaze the Warm Donuts: While the donuts are still hot or very warm, dip one side into the prepared glaze, swirling it around a few times to ensure an even coating. The warmth helps the glaze adhere beautifully and absorb slightly, creating that perfect sugary crust.
- Set the Glaze: Return the glazed donuts to the wire rack, placing them glazed-side up (or non-glazed side down if you prefer a thicker glaze on top). Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes, or simply dive in while they’re still delightfully warm for an ultimate fresh donut experience!
Expand Your Donut Horizons: More Homemade Donut Recipes
If these quick and easy fried donuts have ignited your passion for homemade treats, you’ll be thrilled to explore more options! Discover an incredible collection of The Best Homemade Donut Recipes, each promising simple steps and delicious results. As an added bonus, this collection also shares ingenious ways to elevate store-bought donuts with creative toppings and glazes, perfect for when you need a quick fix or want to get creative!
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
While these Easy Homemade Donuts are undoubtedly best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can certainly store any leftovers to enjoy later. For optimal freshness, place your homemade old-fashioned donuts in an airtight container. They will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to 3 days. To revive their tender texture and delicious flavor, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave can make them warm and soft again, almost like they were freshly made.
We absolutely love seeing your culinary creations! If you make these Easy Homemade Glazed Donuts and share a photo on social media, please be sure to tag us on Instagram @thebakermama so we can see your amazing results! It’s incredibly inspiring to witness how creative and passionate you become with the recipes we share. Enjoy every single bite!
xoxo,
Easy Old-Fashioned Donuts Recipe
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 12 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Yield: 20 donuts and donut holes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Description
Get ready for the quickest, most delicious homemade donuts! These Easy Old-Fashioned Donuts take only 20 minutes from mixing bowl to first bite, delivering a taste that rivals, or even surpasses, your favorite donut shop. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a simple, sweet glaze, they are an absolute dream. This recipe proves that exceptional donuts don’t need hours of effort; they just need this simple, fast method.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- canola oil (or other neutral frying oil), for deep frying (about 6-8 cups depending on pot size)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 1/4 cups heavy cream (adjust as needed for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Fill a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed pot with canola oil (or your preferred frying oil) to a depth of at least 2 inches (about 5 cm). Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot and heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). It is crucial to maintain this temperature throughout the frying process to ensure proper cooking without excessive oil absorption.
- Prepare the Dough: While the oil is heating, start mixing your dough. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined. In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, large egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Stir with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms, then use your hands to gently knead the dough into a smooth ball. Avoid over-kneading; just enough to bring it together.
- Cut the Donuts: Lightly flour your work surface. Place the dough ball onto the floured surface and roll it out evenly to about ½-inch (1.25 cm) thickness. Using a donut cutter or a large round cookie cutter (approx. 3 inches) and a smaller one (approx. 1 inch) for the center, cut out donut shapes. Dip the cutters in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut additional donuts. You should yield about 20 donuts and donut holes in total.
- Make the Glaze: In a clean bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and has a thin, pourable consistency suitable for dipping. If the glaze is too thick, add more heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Fry the Donuts: Once the oil temperature is steady at 350°F (175°C), carefully add 3-4 donuts into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding can drop the oil temperature and result in soggy, greasy donuts. Fry for 15-30 seconds per side, flipping twice, for a total frying time of approximately 2 minutes, or until both sides are a beautiful golden brown. Donuts cook very quickly, so watch them constantly.
- Drain and Cool: Using a slotted spoon or spider, carefully transfer the fried donuts to a wire rack placed over a rimmed cookie sheet or paper towels. This allows excess oil to drip off, preventing your donuts from becoming greasy. Repeat the frying process with the remaining donut batches, ensuring the oil temperature returns to 350°F (175°C) between batches.
- Glaze the Donuts: While the donuts are still hot or warm, gently dip one side of each donut into the glaze. Swirl it around a few times to ensure a generous coating.
- Set the Glaze: Return the glazed donuts to the wire rack, placing them with the non-glazed side down (or glazed side up, as preferred). Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving, or enjoy them immediately while they are still warm and irresistibly fresh!
Notes
Storage: Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. While best fresh, they still make a wonderful treat on subsequent days. For a warm-donut experience, you can gently microwave them for 10-15 seconds.
Oil Temperature is Key: Using a candy thermometer is highly recommended. If the oil is too cool, donuts will absorb too much oil and be greasy. If too hot, they will burn on the outside before cooking through.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Fry in small batches to maintain consistent oil temperature and allow even cooking.