How to Make Doughnuts

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Doughnuts come in all shapes and sizes. They are the perfect way to treat yourself on a lazy weekend, or to indulge in a baking adventure. Store-bought doughnuts are great, but homemade ones are even better. Here are three distinctive doughnut recipes to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

  • Prep time (Fried Glazed): 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Ingredients

Fried Glazed Doughnuts

  • 2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water (105-115°F or 40-45℃)
  • 1½ cups lukewarm milk
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ⅓ cup shortening
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 quart (1 liter) vegetable oil for frying


For glaze :

  • ⅓ cup butter
  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 tablespoons hot water or as needed

Baked Glazed Doughnuts

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon shortening (or 2 tablespoons melted butter)


For glaze :

  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tablespoons hot water
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract

Canadian Fried Dough

  • ½ cup warm water (110° F or 45° C)
  • 5 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 pinch white sugar
  • 1 cup warm milk (110° F or 45° C)
  • ⅓ cup white sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 5 cups whole-wheat flour, divided
  • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying


For dusting :

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Fried Glazed Doughnuts

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  1. The yeast needs warm water to activate; it will help the doughnut dough rise and stay fluffy. Let activate for 5 minutes. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Alternatively, you can use a wooden spoon and mix by hand, but be sure to mix the dry ingredients first, then the wet ingredients separately, and then combine the two. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Do this until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl.
  5. Cover with a towel and let stand until dough doubles in volume (about 1 hour). Dough will be ready when you can press a finger into it and the indentation stays.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Cut with a floured doughnut cutter, or cut into doughnut shapes by hand.
  7. Lay them out on a tray and cover them with a large, clean towel.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    This is a classic butter glaze, not unlike the Krispy Kreme glaze that is popular in America. To make the glaze:
    • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Be careful not to burn the butter.
    • Take the butter off the iron and stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. You can add more sugar to thicken the glaze .
    • Stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is thin, but not watery.
  9. Use a kitchen thermometer for maximum precision.
    • To avoid a greasy taste, heat the oil up on medium high for five minutes, and then gently reduce the heat until thermometer reads 350℉ (175℃).
  10. Turn the doughnuts over when they float up to the surface. Fry evenly on both sides until golden brown.
  11. Make sure any excess oil drips off the doughnut before you glaze it.
  12. Set to dry on a wire rack and enjoy immediately.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Baked Glazed Doughnuts

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  1. Lightly grease a doughnut pan. [3]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Beat the batter together until well blended. [4]
  4. The doughnuts will rise as they bake in the oven.
  5. Allow to cool slightly before removing from pan.
  6. In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, hot water, and almond extract until smooth and creamy. Dip the still-warm doughnuts into glaze and let excess drip off.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Canadian Fried Dough

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Stir until the sugar has dissolved. [5]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Stir until the dough is too stiff to add more flour. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and begin to knead in more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes).
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Let rest until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Break off a piece of dough roughly the size of a heaping tablespoon.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    You can use a rolling pin or your hands. The dough should be 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) thick. In Canada, fried dough is often called "Beaver Trails," so let your imagination run wild!
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
    Oil should be at least 4–5 inches (10.2–12.7 cm) deep in your fryer or skillet.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make Doughnuts
  10. Remove onto a wire rack.
  11. Dip each pastry into the cinnamon sugar mixture while still warm.
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Doughnut Topping Ideas and Recipes


Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use chocolate to make doughnuts?
    Community Answer
    Yes, of course! All you have to do is add cocoa powder to the dough until you get the color you want. Then you add more sugar to balance out the cocoa, and more milk if it is too thick.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 52
  • Question
    How long can I store unused dough?
    Community Answer
    You can store the dough in the fridge covered in plastic wrap. It should stay good for at least a few days. You could also freeze the dough indefinitely (as long as it's properly sealed).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 20
  • Question
    How do I store doughnut dough?
    Community Answer
    Store it in a dry, clean bowl, and place a light towel or a lace over it. Don't stack bowls together.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/213590/theras-canadian-fried-dough/
      2. ↑ https://www.blessthismessplease.com/pioneer-womans-glazed-donuts/
      3. ↑ https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2012/12/28/baked-glazed-donuts/
      4. ↑ https://www.mysanfranciscokitchen.com/baked-glazed-donuts/
      5. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/how-to-make-homemade-beaver-tails/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make your own doughnuts, mix milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, activated yeast, and flour in a large bowl. Knead the dough until it’s smooth but elastic, then let it rise for about an hour. Roll the dough on a flat surface and cut it into doughnut shapes, then let the doughnuts rise again until they’ve doubled in size. Meanwhile, make your glaze by melting butter and stirring in confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and hot water. When the doughnuts are ready, fry them in hot oil until they’re golden brown, then remove them and dip them into the glaze. If you want to learn how to top your doughnuts with icing and decoration, keep reading the article!

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