Perfect Yeast Doughnuts (Donut Recipe with 3 Fillings)
Perfect yeast doughnuts are easy to make at home if you have the right recipe. You now have that recipe in your hands (or on your desk). What are you waiting for?
Who can resist perfect, soft and fluffy doughnuts?
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Especially if it is a fresh, fluffy, homemade, perfect yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jam and fresh cream? Not me!
If you think that yeast doughnuts are difficult to make, think again, especially if you own a stand mixer or bread machine. You can make ring doughnuts, filled doughnuts, or doughnut holes. I just want you to know that one batch of these beauties will disappear within seconds. However, don’t take my word for it, read the comments!
You may also enjoy my VEGAN donuts recipe! My dad highly approves, and that’s saying something!
Incidentally, I’ve linked to the bread machine I have, but any bread machine with good ratings will work (like the one I linked to above), and they are much less expensive.
I also have an Italian Christmas doughnut recipe: frittelle! I just LOVE donuts!
Frequently Asked Questions are Under the
Printable Recipe Below
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How to Make Yeast Doughnuts
adapted from a recipe in The Bread and Bread Machine Bible
makes about 16 ring doughnuts
SEE PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW FOR MORE EXPLICIT DIRECTIONS FOR USING A STAND MIXER OR BY HAND
The measurements are critical in this recipe, so a scale is necessary. (This is why there are no cup measurements-please do not ask for them.)
Too many readers were not having success with this solid, tested recipe, and the only reason I can think of is the difference between using cups, versus a scale (volume vs weight). The ONLY way to obtain the correct amount of flour and other ingredients is by weighing them.
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- water
- buttermilk
- egg
- butter
- all-purpose or bread flour
- sugar
- salt
- regular or quick-rise yeast
- oil for frying
- (sugar for coating the doughnuts)
- (jam, chocolate hazelnut spread, and or whipped cream for filling, if desired)
Special equipment:
- parchment paper, cut into about 4″ squares (smaller pieces for doughnut holes)
- large pot, deep fryer or wok
- a sharp doughnut cutter (a reader asked what I recommend, and I like this one as there is no guessing where the center of the doughnut is–perfect doughnuts every time).
- candy/oil thermometer, not necessary, but very helpful if you’re not a deep-frying pro
- skimmer
Directions to Make the Doughnut Dough
Make a small indentation in the dry ingredients, then add the yeast.
Set the bread machine on the ‘dough’ setting.
If using a stand mixer (see directions in printable recipe below, as steps with the yeast are different), run it with the dough hook, until a soft dough is formed, then cover and set aside until at least doubled in size.
I do not specify a time on the dough rising because there are too many factors that will determine the length of time. Which yeast was used (regular or quick rise), if the yeast was fresh or old (older yeast doesn’t work as well, or sometimes not at all), and the temperature of your kitchen. In my kitchen, this process usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Roll out the Dough and cut
Once the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface and knead lightly. Divide it in half, keeping half the dough covered, so it doesn’t form a skin.
With a rolling pin, roll out half of the dough to about 1/2″ thickness. (Do not rest the dough.)
Cut with a round, sharp doughnut cutter (about 3″ diameter). Or else use a sharp cookie cutter, then make the holes with a smaller cookie cutter (about 1″ diameter), saving the holes. This is an older photo, I recommend this cutter.
Let the cut Doughnuts Rise
Place each doughnut on a piece of parchment paper, then place on a cookie sheet. Put the tray in the oven (turn it on for 1 minute, SET A TIMER, then turn the oven off again, just to make it barely warm). The oven warming step should not be necessary in the summer unless your a/c is very cool.
Next, boil some water and pour it into a measuring jug or bowl. Place the jug of water in the oven with the tray of doughnuts (this will create steam will keep a skin from forming).
With the remaining dough, divide into quarters, then divide each piece in half to make 8 equal amounts. If you are perfectionistic, you can weigh each piece on a kitchen scale–not that I’d ever do any such thing! ;)
Roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball on a lightly floured surface, and place on parchment or waxed paper pieces and place on a cookie sheet; place in the oven with the other doughnuts and holes to rise until doubled in size.
(Please don’t focus on the time, just go by how they look, but usually anywhere from 1/2 hr to 1 hour is normal for this second rise.) I don’t like to waste plastic wrap, so use the hot water method again.
Fry the Homemade Yeast Doughnuts
Heat the oil to about 350ºF (180º). If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil with a doughnut hole. If it doesn’t start frying (bubbling) immediately, the oil is too cold, if the hole turns brown right away, the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
Drop the donuts and donut holes into the hot oil using the paper to carefully lower them into the oil.
Turn them over as soon as they become golden brown on the underside, then remove and place on a paper towel lined plate or baking sheet once they are ready.
How Should You Finish Your Donuts
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Sugar Coated Doughnuts
When the doughnuts have cooled, roll them in sugar to coat evenly.
You can also use powdered sugar to coat them. I remember liking the Dunkin’ Donuts chocolate kreme filled donuts when I was a young transplant to the US in the late 1970s! They were filled with a fake chocolate “cream” and coated with confectioner’s sugar! I don’t think I’d like them today. Now I’m wondering if they still make them?
Put some powdered sugar in a small bowl and add a little bit of milk or water. Stir and keep adding liquid until you reach a smooth, slightly runny consistency. You want the glaze to run off the doughnuts when you’ve dipped them.
Dip a donut hole to test the glaze, and place it on a cooling rack to set. If all the glaze runs off, add more sugar, and if it’s too thick, add more liquid. No measuring needed.
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Filled Doughnuts
If you choose to fill the large yeast doughnuts, push a skewer into the center of the doughnut to make a hole. Next, put some room temperature jam, or slightly warmed chocolate hazelnut spread (I’ve gone off Nutella since they’re using tons of palm oil) into a piping bag and pipe the filling into the doughnut.
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Scottish Style Yeast Doughnuts with Jam and Cream
Of course, it’s perfectly acceptable not to fill them with anything. However, if you like the look of this jam and cream filled doughnut, just slice a long donut in half (without cutting all the way through), at a slight angle, then slather on some raspberry jam. Next, pipe in some real, freshly whipped, unsweetened cream (I used my ISI whipper). That’s it!
If you don’t already know, raspberry jam is a frequent ingredient in Scottish fare, like these coconut and raspberry tartlets.
And finally, this is why I shared this doughnut recipe: I recently (now it’s about 10 years ago!) received this message~
“One day at work your brother showed me a picture of some absolutely perfect-looking donuts you made. Any chance of posting that recipe?” -Destruction
Yeast Doughnuts vs. Baked Doughnuts
For me, there is no comparison. Yeast doughnuts are a delight in how simply light and airy they are because they are leavened with yeast. Frying them makes them even lighter. In contrast, baked unleavened donuts, often called cake donuts, seem like a whole other pastry, and are quite heavy and dense. Which do you prefer?
Another of my readers’ favorite recipes: authentic Scottish shortbread
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Perfect Yeast Doughnuts
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp water lukewarm
- 5 oz buttermilk at room temperature
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 2 oz butter melted
- 16 oz all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- 2 oz sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp quick-rise yeast (or regular dried yeast)
- 16 oz olive oil for frying
- 4 oz sugar (1/2 cup or more as needed for coating the doughnuts)
- jam, chocolate hazelnut spread, and or whipped cream for filling, if desired (various amounts as needed)
Instructions
FOR BREAD MACHINE:
- Place the water, buttermilk, beaten egg and melted butter in the bread machine pan, then add the dry ingredients which were weighed using a scale (it's so important), except for the yeast. Make a small indentation in the dry ingredients, then add the yeast. Set the bread machine on the ‘dough’ setting.
FOR STAND MIXER WITH DOUGH HOOK, OR BY HAND:
- Place the dry ingredients in a bowl. Put 6 Tbsp of lukewarm water in a cup and sprinkle the yeast on top, set aside for about 5 minutes, until the yeast begins to react (you can add a pinch of sugar to help it). Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and yeast mixture. If using a stand mixer, run with the dough hook until a dough forms then continue for about 5 minutes.
- By hand, knead for about 10 minutes. Cover and set aside until at least doubled in size (usually 1 to 2 hours, depending on the freshness of the yeast, temperature of the water and ambient temperature).
BOTH BREAD MACHINE, STAND MIXER/HAND INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOW BELOW:
- Once the dough has doubled, place it on a floured surface and knead lightly. Divide it in half, keeping half the dough covered, so it doesn’t form a skin. With a rolling pin, roll out half of the dough to about 1/2″ thickness.
- Cut with a round, sharp cookie cutter (about 3″ diameter) then make the holes with a smaller cookie cutter (about 1″ diameter), saving the holes. Or splurge (haha) and buy this doughnut cutter and save yourself a lot of trouble!
- Place each doughnut on a piece of parchment or waxed paper, then place on a cookie sheet. Put the tray in the oven (turn it on for 1 minute, SET A TIMER, then turn it off again, just to make it barely warm).
- Next, boil some water and pour it into a measuring jug. Place the jug of water in the oven with the tray of doughnuts (this will create steam will keep a skin from forming). With the remaining dough, divide into quarters, then divide each piece in half to make 8 equal amounts. Roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball, and place on parchment or waxed paper pieces and place on a cookie sheet; place in the oven with the other doughnuts to rise until doubled in size.
- Heat the oil to about 350ºF (180º). If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test the oil with a doughnut hole: if it doesn’t start frying immediately, the oil is too cold, if the hole turns brown right away, the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
- Drop the doughnuts into the hot oil using the paper to carefully lower them into the oil. Turn them over as soon as they become golden brown on the underside, and remove them and place on a paper towel lined platter once they are ready.
- When the doughnuts have cooled, roll them in sugar to coat evenly. If you choose to fill the large doughnuts, push a skewer into the center of the doughnut to make a hole, then place some room temperature jam, or slightly warmed chocolate hazelnut spread into a piping bag and pipe the filling into the doughnut. Using an iSi Whipper or piping bag, pipe fresh cream into a doughnut cut in half (add some jam first if you like).
Notes
Nutrition
Tips and Questions
Please do not write to ask me any questions if you did not weigh the ingredients, or follow the directions as written. As you can see, there are over 1000 comments and many are questions; please read the following FAQs first.
Question: Can I make the dough ahead of time and fry them the next day?
Answer: Yes! Make the dough and put it in the refrigerator in a sealed container, (but it needs room to expand) and then bring to room temperature, roll and cut and continue. Just remember: the dough will form a skin if exposed to the air and it will ruin your doughnuts. Always keep the dough either in a sealed container or in the oven, with a little hot water for humidity.
Question: My dough is very sticky, even after letting it knead for over 5 minutes after it formed a dough; what did I do wrong?
Answer: If you weighed the ingredients and didn’t make a mistake, it may just be the flour you’re using, the humidity in the air or another factor. Just add a little flour, just enough so that you can work with the dough. However, if you add too much flour, your doughnuts won’t be light.
Question:Can I bake the doughnuts?
Answer: No, unfortunately, they simply won’t turn out anything like they’re supposed to. I do not recommend it because these are meant to be deep fried.
Question: Can I substitute x ingredient?
Answer: I have successfully made these yeast doughnuts without eggs, butter and milk. Please look at the following recipe to substitute any of these: VEGAN YEAST DOUGHNUT RECIPE.
Question: Can I use instant yeast?
Answer: Yes. Instant yeast is the same as quick-rise yeast.
Question: Can I freeze the doughnuts once they’ve been fried?
Answer: The fried doughnuts can be frozen, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. These yeast doughnuts are best when eaten fresh, just like a French baguette. Day old doughnuts are no fun!
Question: I don’t have buttermilk, what else can I use?
Answer: Use regular milk with a little lemon juice (1/2 tsp.)
Question: What temperature do I set the oven to when I’m warming it up to proof my dough and doughnuts?
Answer: It doesn’t matter; whether it’s set to 150 F or 200 C, you’re only leaving the oven on for a few seconds, then turning it off, so there’s not enough time for it to get up to any set temperature.
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So I made your recipe with a twist and it came out perfect my kids loved them.
1/2C almond milk
1egg
4tbs butter shortening (melted)
1tsp salt
1pk quick rise yeast
4tbs sugar
1tbs vanilla extract
1tbs strawberry extract (optional)
3C flour
For frying I used almond oil and coconut oil.
Excellent! So glad you experimented and they turned out perfectly! Thank you for letting me know, and I’m sure your kids will be asking for these on a regular basis from now on (SOOOO much better for them than the ones from the doughnut shop!)
Christina, they are/were great! I might add a tablespoon more of sugar for just a bit more sweetness next batch, but otherwise absolutely YUMMY! I dusted with powdered instead of granulated sugar, they were delightfully messy. Full disclosure, I didn’t weigh the flour – I know, a definite no-no, but I make yeast breads a lot so I double or triple measure the flour for aeration and accuracy. I’d post a picture but they’re GONE!!! Thank you for a great recipe.
WONDERFUL!!! So happy to hear it! The fact that you are experienced in yeast breads is definitely an advantage as you’d know if there is too little or too much flour, whereas those who have never made a yeast dough would flounder. Send me a photo next time! Thank you so much for letting me know they turned out well, Susan! I appreciate it!
Looks to be a great recipe! Four quick questions: 1) for those of us not using a stand mixer of bread machine, how long should we knead the dough, and how tacky should it be once done? 2) on average, how long is the oven proofing (until doughnuts double in size)? 3) from your pictures, it looks like you are using a pan, which is more shallow than a pot – how many cups of oil are you using for frying? 4) are you using a regular granulated or superfine sugar for dusting?
I’m doing an overnight rise in the fridge, will make the doughnuts in the morning! Whoot!
Can’t wait to try it.
Hi Susan! As long as you weigh the dry ingredients I’m sure they’ll be great! To answer your questions: 1.) there’s no way I can tell you exactly how long to knead the dough, but once it comes together and isn’t sticking to your hands, I’d knead it for at least 3 or 4 minutes after that (it shouldn’t be sticky or tacky, but smooth and soft) 2.) if you turn the oven on as directed, just to barely warm it, and put the boiling water in the oven, I would say probably about 30 minutes for them to double 3.) I used a wok to fry them and honestly have no clue how many cups I used-as long as the doughnuts can float and have enough room not to be crowded, there’s no need to measure the oil 4.) I use regular sugar. Good luck! Wish I could come to your house for breakfast! :) CC
Hi, Christina. Thanks for your reply. I have another query that how long should I allow all doughnuts in oven to rise until double in size with a jug of hot water and is it at 180 degree C in electric oven?
No, not at all, Habiba! That will bake them. I turn on the oven for literally just a few seconds to warm it, then turn it off before putting the doughnuts and water in the oven. Even if you don’t turn it on at all, it’s okay. Good luck!
can I use 1% milk?
You could use 1% milk, Bella, however I wouldn’t recommend it. I’ve never done it so I don’t know what the results would be like, and the other reason is that buttermilk helps things to rise. So if you took out the buttermilk, they probably wouldn’t rise as nicely as these do. If you want to give it a try, please let me know how they turn out.
If you don’t want to make a run to the store for buttermilk, you can make your own. Do the 5 oz of regular milk and then add 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar. :) Works like a charm every time. And because the recipe calls for room temp buttermilk, I plopped my milk/vinegar mixture into the microwave for about 15 seconds.
You are correct, Heidi- or even lemon juice works! Thank you! ;)
Hi Christina, would I place the jug of water after turning off the oven or when I keep doughnuts into the oven? Is it ok if I use micro oven for one minute?
Yes, Habiba- only put the jug of hot water in the oven for proofing the doughnuts not while they bake. If you are asking to use the microwave to heat the water then yes, you can but one minute won’t make it hot enough as it must be steaming. By the same token, be careful heating water in the microwave oven, it can be dangerous if anything drops into it, it can flow up like a volcano.
i heat my microwave for 1 minute. then I put my dough which has been covered with plastic & a towel into microwave & let it rise for 1 hour. or you could heat oven to 180 degrees celcius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes then switch off oven. & put dough to rise there.
Not sure how you heat your microwave, but yes, turning off the oven after 2 minutes should be perfect! :)
Hi! First off, thanks so much for taking the time to help me make donuts! However.. they did not turn out good. (Obviously me). I’ve tried 4 different recipes and they all the same. Very frustrating! When I finish and take a bite it’s not edible. They are heavy and thick with a gross dense texture. They need to be light and fluffy!
First off, it says “16 oz (454 g) all-purpose or bread flour” This equals to 2 cups I believe? As I mix all the ingredients it would not dry and and thicken up so I had to put a lot more flour in. Is it more than 2 cups?
Second, I’m not sure if I’m activating the yeast properly. I sprinkle the active dry yeast over luke warm water and they don’t really foam, they sort of puff out and end all mushy.
I live in New Zealand and all the recipes are American. I not sure if that makes a difference but there is something I’m doing seriously wrong!
Please help!!!
Thanks heaps!
Carey!
You have to weigh ALL the ingredients. So, you would weigh out 454 grams of flour, and whatever the water is (she tells you in parenthesis). As far the water, get it to 100 degrees Farenheit (not sure what that is in Celsius, but there are metric converters on the Internet), and it should work. The yeast will be kinda frothy. I hope that helps, and I’m sure Christina will have better advice. But the main thing is you need to weigh the ingredients. If you read the comments you’ll see everyone had a problem when they didn’t weigh (including me).
Hi Carey, I’m so sorry to hear that your doughnuts haven’t been turning out, but as Elaine commented, you really MUST weigh the ingredients. I cannot stress it enough, which is why I actually removed the cups measurement from the recipe. If you read through the comments you’ll see that the doughnuts did not turn out for many people and the only two reasons that I can think of is that the measurement of the flour is off and/or the yeast is not fresh. Speaking of the yeast, it sounds as though your yeast is fine, as long as it’s puffing and reacting, it sounds fresh.
My advice is to invest (and it shouldn’t be very expensive at all) in a kitchen scale. It will help with all of your baking, not just doughnuts. Let me know how it goes! Good luck!
Hi Christina! I’ve been trying different recipes and I have to say yours is the best! the doughnuts I made turned out to be perfectly fully and crispy on the outside! Althouuuggghh, because I was feeling lazy, i didn’t bother to cut the baking papers into pieces and placing them in the oven with the jug of water, and if there are people wondering if they’ll end up still being fluffy and crispy, yes they do! but (because of placing doughnuts on one big piece of baking paper ) handling them to put into the frying pan was a bit tricky at first but all the doughnuts survived nonetheless.
Thanks for the lovely recipe! My family loved it!
perfectly fluffy***
Wonderful, Fae! That’s great to hear! Yes, the bits of paper help keep the doughnuts in retaining their shape so you don’t have to touch them and ruin their perfect shape! ;) Thank you so much for letting me know you liked the recipe! CC