Donuts

Donuts

Donuts can be a little tricky to make but well worth the trouble. Donuts are deep-fried in oil and then dipped in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar or topped with a glaze.

Ingredients

75 g Butter
25 g Yeast
120 g Caster sugar
1 tsp Salt
2 Eggs
½ Lemon zest
800 g Wheat flour
1 l Oil

Garnish

160 g Icing sugar
1½ tbsp Water
Food colourings (colour of choice)

Instructions

Donuts

  • Melt butter in a saucepan, then remove from the heat and stir in milk.
  • Pour the mixture into a bowl and crumble in the yeast. Add sugar, salt, eggs, and flour, then beat the dough well with a spoon. It should be quite soft.
  • Cover the bowl with a lid and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.
  • Once risen, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it out to about 1 cm thick.
  • Cut out circles using a cookie cutter or glass (about 10 cm in diameter). Then, use a smaller cutter to cut out a small hole in the centre (about 3 cm in diameter). Roll out the excess dough and repeat until all the dough is used.
  • Place the cut doughnuts onto sheets of baking paper and cover them to rise for another 30 minutes.

Frying

  • Heat oil in a pan to about 180 °C, using a thermometer to check the temperature.
  • Fry 2–3 doughnuts at a time for about 1–2 minutes on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on baking paper.
  • Immediately turn some of them in caster sugar.

Icing

  • Mix icing sugar with water to create a thick icing. Drizzle or spread the icing over the remaining doughnuts.

Recipe tips

It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes

A delicious icing starts with sifting the icing sugar to remove any lumps. Then, add the water and whisk until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, stir in a little more water, a teaspoon at a time; if it is too runny, add more icing sugar until it holds its shape. Dip the doughnuts while they are slightly warm, but not hot, to help the icing stick without melting.

The dough is meant to be quite soft, but if it feels too sticky to work with after mixing, do not add more flour. This can make the dough dense once fried. Instead, handle it with flour-covered hands and roll it on a floured surface to keep it manageable. Sticky dough usually comes from under-measured flour or butter that was not fully melted before mixing. Also, stick to our recommended rising times, as overproofing affects the structure and can make the dough harder to handle later.

Rising the dough twice gives the doughnuts a light texture and helps them hold their shape when fried. The first rise activates the yeast and creates air pockets throughout the dough. The second rise, after shaping, gives the doughnuts time to puff up again, making them soft and airy inside. Skipping or rushing this step can lead to dense doughnuts and uneven frying.

Questions about doughnuts

Our recipe gives you soft, airy doughnuts with that classic glazed or sugared finish. Below, you will find answers to common questions about frying, rising times, and storing them properly.

What is the best way to fry doughnuts?

The best way to fry doughnuts is by using a wide, deep pan and heating the oil to around 180 °C. If you do not have a kitchen thermometer, drop in a small piece of dough; it should sizzle and float to the surface within a few seconds without browning too fast. Fry only 2–3 doughnuts at a time to prevent overcrowding, as this helps maintain a steady temperature and lets them cook evenly. Turn the doughnuts once during frying and drain them on baking paper straight after.

Can I use instant yeast instead of fresh yeast?

Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of fresh yeast. Replace the 25 g of fresh yeast with around 8 g of instant yeast. There is no need to dissolve it in the liquid; simply stir it in with the flour.

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

You will know the dough has risen enough once it has doubled in size and looks puffed and airy. To check, press a fingertip gently into the surface. If the mark returns slowly but does not disappear completely, you are good to go. If it springs back quickly, it needs more time to rise.

How do I store glazed doughnuts?

Store glazed doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. If you are stacking them, use baking paper between the layers to prevent sticking. For more extended storage, freeze the doughnuts unglazed for up to 2 months, then thaw and ice them when you are ready to serve.

Nutritional values

Nutritional value, per

11939 Kcal

Fibre - 28.8 gram fibers
Protein 2.4 % 71.4 gram
Fat 72.3 % 976.1 gram
Carbohydrates 25.3 % 742.5 gram

Recommended information

Serving suggestion

Enjoy warm and homemade doughnuts

Is there a better way to answer a sugar craving than with warm, fresh doughnuts? As soon as they hit the oil, the sweet scent takes over the kitchen and sets the tone for a cosy afternoon. Even better, you get that deep satisfaction of knowing you made them yourself, right at home.

The recipe might look detailed at first glance, but once you get started, it all comes together surprisingly easily. And do not be surprised if you find yourself making it again sooner than expected.

Craving more sweet creations? Expand your dessert menu with our irresistible profiteroles, rich tartufo, and decadent mud cake.

Golden crust with tender, airy crumb

Our recipe embodies all the hallmarks of a proper doughnut. They have that golden, delicate crust that gently gives way as you bite in. Inside, the crumb is light and soft, with little pockets of air that give them their signature tenderness. There is a subtle sweetness woven through the dough, making them irresistibly good, even before any glaze or sugar even touches the surface.

Perfect icing on top

A doughnut is not really finished until it has been dipped in icing, and ours gets the classic treatment. It has that pure sugar sweetness that works so well with warm dough. Once it sets, it forms a thin, crackly layer that gives each doughnut its familiar, polished look. It clings to the surface like it belongs there, giving you a delicate crunch before you reach the pillowy crumb inside. It is a small moment of magic, from just one bite.

A treat for any time of day

There is never a wrong moment to reach for a doughnut, whether it is morning, afternoon, or somewhere in between. When made the night before, they can easily become a quick breakfast alongside a cup of coffee, but they are just as welcome with a quiet cup of tea or shared on a lazy afternoon. Whenever or wherever you serve them, they add a timeless, retro charm to any occasion.

Personalise with creative twists

Our doughnut recipe is as classic as it gets, offering a wide range of flavours and ingredients for you to explore. Start with the icing. Add a bit of lemon zest for a fresh, tangy pop or a hint of orange zest for a floral twist. Both will cut through the sweetness and introduce citrusy tartness to the glaze.

For extra texture, sprinkle the doughnuts with your favourite nuts. Chopped hazelnuts contribute a buttery, caramel-like richness, while crushed almonds provide a delightful crunch. Or, if you want something sweeter, add rainbow sprinkles for a lovely pop of colour.

Experiment with the shape, too. Instead of shaping them into the traditional ring, try forming them into rounds and filling them with whatever you are in the mood for. Think about filling them with vanilla custard for comforting warmth or pistachio cream for its earthy flavour. For something richer, hazelnut-praline cream is the way to go or try chocolate-coffee cream, which resembles the flavours of tiramisu. Use your favourite jam for a fruity surprise inside if you prefer something simpler.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/donuts/