create your own

How to Make Delicious Homemade Donuts

91
rate or flag this page

By Marye Audet

Easy, Homemade Donuts

Making homemade donuts is not as hard as it looks. The only real equipment that you need is a deep fryer.

There are two major kinds of donuts, those that are leavened, or raised with yeast, and those that are leavened with baking powder or baking soda. There are differences in the two types, but both are delicious.


Fresh Donuts are a great way to begin the morning
Fresh Donuts are a great way to begin the morning

How Cool is This? No Mess!

No Amazon results found

Tips for Perfect Donuts

There are a few tricks and tips that will help you achieve the perfect donut:

  • Make sure the oil is hot, 370 Degrees works best for me.
  • Don't overload the fryer. Fry only three or four at a time.
  • Flip the donuts as the rise to the top and are light golden on the underside, do not over-fry.
  • Use the softest dough possible. Refrigerate to keep it workable.
  • Use clean oil
  • Let finished donuts drain into the fryer for a few minutes before removing them to drain on absorbent paper
  • Use the donut cutter in a straight down motion, without twisting.


Image: (c) Marye Audet 2007
Image: (c) Marye Audet 2007

Recipe for Basic Cake Donuts

This is the easiest recipe for cake doughnuts that I have. I use it over and over again, varying it with different topping and icings.

  • 4 1/2 c flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 c sugar
  • 2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 c milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Sift together the dry ingredients.

Beat eggs with sugar until light. Add butter, mil, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough is formed. Do not over mix. If dough is too soft to roll, chill it for an hour.

Roll dough out 3/8 inch thick on a floured surface and cut with donut cutters. Fry in 370 degree oil until golden on both sides, turning once.

Remove from oil, hold over hot oil for a few minutes to drain, and then finish draining on absorbent paper. While still warm shake in sugar, sugar- cinnamon mixture, dip in glaze of choice, or dust with powdered sugar. 3 dozen

Well, This is One Way to Do It...


(c)2007 marye audet
(c)2007 marye audet

Yeast Raised Donut Recipe

Yeast makes these donuts light and airy.

  • 2 c milk
  • 1/2 c unsalted butter
  • 1 c sugar
  • 1 tbs salt
  • 1 pkg yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 c warm water
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 c mashed potatoes, no salt or pepper
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 8 c flour

Scald milk. Stir in butter, salt, and 1c sugar . Cool to lukewarm.

Sprinkle 1 tsp sugar, and yeast over water. Set aside for 5 minutes. Add to milk mixture. Add baking powder, baking soda, potatoes. yolks, and 2 c of flour to milk. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. 2 minutes.

Add remaining flour gradually, beating well. Dough will be soft. Place in greased bowl, grease top and cover. Let rise for two hours.

Turn dough out and roll on floured surface, 1/4 inch thick.Cut with floured cutter. Cover and let rise one hour.

Fry a few at a time until golden. Drain. Glaze, frost, roll in sugar, or eat plain.

3 1/2 dozen


Some Crullers I made for breakfast the other day. Image:(c)MaryeAudet2008
Some Crullers I made for breakfast the other day. Image:(c)MaryeAudet2008

Finishes

Finishing donuts is a matter of taste. The most common things to put on them are:

  • glaze
  • sugar
  • cinnamon sugar
  • powdered sugar
  • icing

There are, however, many recipes for each of these things. One of the best plain glaze recipes follows:

1/3 c boiling water mixed with 1 c confectioners sugar. Mix well and dip warm donuts in mixture.

To coat with nuts- after dipping donut in glaze, roll in chopped nuts, or even sprinkles.

To coat with sugar easily- put sugar or cinnamon sugar mixture in a paper lunch bag. Put warm donut in and shake.

Freeze Now, Eat Later!

You can easily make the donuts ahead of time and freeze them. For best results lay unglazed donuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze until frozen through. Place frozen donuts in a ziploc bag and place in a freezer.

When ready to eat heat, in a 400 degree oven for about ten minutes.

Donuts are an inexpensive treat when made at home. And surely the love involved cancels out the calories, don't you think?


Interesting books for All Ages

The Donut Book The Donut Book
Price: $7.80
List Price: $14.95
1001 Muffins, Biscuits, Doughnuts, Pancakes, Waffles, Popovers, Fritters, Scones and Other Quick Breads 1001 Muffins, Biscuits, Doughnuts, Pancakes, Waffles, Popovers, Fritters, Scones and Other Quick Breads
Price: $18.74
List Price: $19.95
Curious George The Donut Delivery Curious George The Donut Delivery
Price: $0.01
List Price: $3.99
Making Dough: The 12 Secret Ingredients of Krispy Kreme's Sweet Success Making Dough: The 12 Secret Ingredients of Krispy Kreme's Sweet Success
Price: $5.85
List Price: $24.95

Print   —   Rate it:  up  down  flag this hub

Ask a Question

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

Bob Ewing profile image

Bob Ewing  says:
2 years ago

I'd have to make them sugar free but one day i gotta try this.

Zsuzsy Bee profile image

Zsuzsy Bee  says:
2 years ago

Canceled calories are the norm for sure. Marye! Funny that you would post this hub today on Valentines day. Homemade donuts were my treat to the kids every year on Feb 14th. ( a good way to also use up last years chocolat Santas and Easterbunnies from the freezer too. For a chocolate glaze melt chocolat in doubleboiler add a little butter and couple of spoons of condensed milk. Dip one side etc...) Obviously, the extra effort will also cancel out the extra calories.

great HUB regards Zsuzsy

Kat07 profile image

Kat07  says:
2 years ago

Alton Brown did homemade doughnuts on the FoodNetwork and has tempted me to try them ever since! You may have talked me into this, Marye!

Blogger Mom profile image

Blogger Mom  says:
2 years ago

OK, now I'm hungry! =)

stephhicks68 profile image

stephhicks68  says:
2 years ago

These look great! My mom used to make homemade cake donuts in the fryer when I was young. This totally takes me back down memory lane. I'll have to try this out with my kiddos.

sdorrian profile image

sdorrian  says:
2 years ago

Yummy! I can't wait to try these with my morning coffee.

cgull8m profile image

cgull8m  says:
2 years ago

Looks awesome, the ingredients are much better than the high fats donuts we get. Thanks for sharing the recipes. Cheers.

singpec476 profile image

singpec476  says:
2 years ago

I love doughnuts but have never tried to make them, thanks for the info.

Sylvia Page profile image

Sylvia Page  says:
2 years ago

Ooooh sounds yummy greats. Loved your demo too. Will give it a try one of these days! All the best to you, Sylvia

Ps. something went wrong when I tried to thumb up. Will try again.

Alexis Froehlich profile image

Alexis Froehlich  says:
2 years ago

These sound devine! My grandmother and great-grandmother (both women part German and Russian) used to make donuts - before adding donuts to the hot oil, they'd take the pot off the heat and put it in the middle of the floor. Then, they'd carefully/quickly dump a shot of vodka in the oil - they clamed it helped prevent the donut from soaking up the grease. :)

They always made the most melt-in-your-mouth donuts I've ever had!

PS I'm too much of a chicken to try that one :)

nicolexue profile image

nicolexue  says:
2 years ago

useful!

Rudra profile image

Rudra  says:
2 years ago

Now that I have learnt to make dobuts, I may try it. Most of the time I used to buy it in the shops. Cant beat home made.

jdnyc profile image

jdnyc  says:
2 years ago

Great lens! I suppose it's time to look into buying a deep fryer!

Peter M. Lopez profile image

Peter M. Lopez  says:
2 years ago

We live a couple of blocks for a bakery, but I still have to give these a try.

best of the web profile image

best of the web  says:
2 years ago

Good one.

Thanks for sharing

PCaholicDotCom profile image

PCaholicDotCom  says:
2 years ago

Hmmmmm definately going to try "Finishes" but i'll have to wait as I am dieting LoL

tom z profile image

tom z  says:
2 years ago

the basic cake donuts look like the most tasty ones on this page. but then again, where do you begin? donut shops should offer homemade varieties to their standard varieties. it's all yummy.

Amery  says:
2 years ago

Wow! This is wonderful. Thank you so much. I promised my dad donuts for his birthday. Now, I can keep that promise. Yum!

lilibeth  says:
2 years ago

i am a filipina from philippines and i am interested to make this donut thanks for rachelray i love her show

i am a mother of 2 son

relationships  says:
2 years ago

Oh my I new to Hubs, and saw your article on making donuts. I went got the ingredients. My nephews love donuts.

Thank you

http://hubpages.com/hub/10--good-questions-to-ask-

miranda  says:
2 years ago

now i know how to make donuts ill make em for the family Reuion thanks

Evelyn Lim profile image

Evelyn Lim  says:
2 years ago

Great hub! You did a wonderful job in providing the info for how to make donuts!

Athlyn Green profile image

Athlyn Green  says:
2 years ago

Hi Mary,

You lead such an interesting life. I'm going to do a piece on you over at my Alternative Health blog and will link to some of your HubPages to send traffic your way.

I, too, like making homemade donuts and will try your recipe.

AndyBaker profile image

AndyBaker  says:
2 years ago

Great page - and awesome video :-)

Just made a note to use your recipe tomorrow.

commentonthis7 profile image

commentonthis7  says:
2 years ago

i love doughnuts have to try these

2patricias profile image

2patricias  says:
2 years ago

Now I've got to get something to eat! Wish I had time to make these, and the capacity for the extra calories.

sgjerome profile image

sgjerome  says:
2 years ago

I love donuts especially with lots of sugar. Very unhealthy after eating I will drink lots of green tea.

MOmmagus  says:
2 years ago

Yummy!

grumpyjacksa profile image

grumpyjacksa  says:
2 years ago

Lead me not into temptation..........ah , what the hell ! I'm here already........

Edamame  says:
2 years ago

Oh, it will be the site that is acting cruelly how! I regret that I visited this site. Because the reason is because the devil in the heart speaks to me. "Eat this appetizing doughnut"! When the person fighting with a scale looks at this site like "me, the things of the scale thing forgetting eternally will be certain!

desert blondie profile image

desert blondie  says:
2 years ago

I gotta agree with edamame...why put up devilishly tempting products made with processed flour and way too sugary toppings, and fried to boot! We're all pretty addicted to these three things...but finding luscious tempting foods that we can know in our brains are so much better for our bodies, our minds seems like a much saner activity than salivating over these donuts! Why don't you just go ahead and show the fat bodies with their high blood pressures and diabetes and clogged artieries along with those donut photos!

Marye Audet profile image

Marye Audet  says:
2 years ago

Well, desert, because foods in moderation are not a problem for healthy adults. I am 48, Husband is 49..we have eaten this way our whole lives...

He is 6 ft 6 and was at 225 lbs until he was disabled last summer (military connected) ...he is now around 170. I am 5'4" and have given birth to 8 kids...I am a little over what I like to be but at 150 lbs I am wearing a size 10..hardly obese. Blood pressures? His is 106/70 and mine runs about 110/75. None of our 8 children are overwieght..nor does anyone have diabetes. In fact, we don't carry health insurance because, other than Marcs disability covered by the VA, we rarely get sick.

So...I suggest moderate eating, self discipline, and and active lifestyle...

marisuewrites profile image

marisuewrites  says:
2 years ago

I wondered how those holes got in the doughnuts!!! I think I gained 5 lbs reading your hub....i could smell them....sigh. Marisue

stevemark122000 profile image

stevemark122000  says:
2 years ago

Great Hub! Thanks

Marye Audet profile image

Marye Audet  says:
2 years ago

Marisue..go read a hub about exercise...quick!

Steve..thanks

chantelg4 profile image

chantelg4  says:
2 years ago

These look super good, such a great hub!

Marye Audet profile image

Marye Audet  says:
2 years ago

chantel thanks..

Des...you should try making some.

stacy  says:
2 years ago

oh my gosh, I second an earlier comment that this makes me want to get a deep fryer. They look delicious Marye. :)

esocial profile image

esocial  says:
2 years ago

Yummy, great hub :) I make donuts from canned biscuits :)

crazykitty08  says:
2 years ago

great hub,i have been looking for some great donut recipes that you bake ,instead of deep frying,but these look so yummy i may have to do it the old fashiones way and deep fry them.thanks for letting me drool .

iklan  says:
2 years ago

Looks yummy. Great.....but i'm in diet program....:(

muji profile image

muji  says:
2 years ago

yummy, thanks!

oohdragon  says:
2 years ago

sound too good but buying a deep fryer...yikes...that's just asking for it...i may borrow one though...thanks

AKRM profile image

AKRM  says:
2 years ago

i have a food business for quite some time now, and before reading your hub, ive got some plans on bringing in the deserts into my product line, i could just buy a book or surf the net to find out how donuts are made, but its really different to get information first hand from experts like you, would it be cool if i can ask you for some tips , tweaks or opinions on other matters on deserts later ? i just love your recipe hubs! :), keep up the great work!

Marye Audet profile image

Marye Audet  says:
2 years ago

sure just let me know what you need. :)

Annette Rozen profile image

Annette Rozen  says:
2 years ago

Those cruellers look amazing. I just want to sit down with a cup of espresso and eat them!

John  says:
18 months ago

Well written hub

In The Doghouse profile image

In The Doghouse  says:
17 months ago

Marye,

I would like to be a guest for breakfast too, especially with the look of those crullers. I have never attempted to make donuts, but with your explanation I might give it a try! Thanks.

icepricessa profile image

icepricessa  says:
17 months ago

excellent hub! =) those donuts are making me hungry

Internet MLM Now profile image

Internet MLM Now  says:
17 months ago

oh my gosh I remember home made donuts - I had forgotten! This hub inspires me to be much more domestic!

gss profile image

gss  says:
17 months ago

Those donuts look delicious. Great hub. Thanks!

nurseom  says:
17 months ago

Try using refridgerated busquit dough. Cut a hole in the middle and fry up. Wonderful. My kids ate 10, like we had just visited Dunken Donuts. I used Cinnamon and Sugar. Will try the Glaze next.

Pete Michner profile image

Pete Michner  says:
16 months ago

Great Hub! I'd like to try with a sugar substitute like splenda.

02SmithA profile image

02SmithA  says:
16 months ago

With all the pictures and all the good descriptions on this page I am craving a donut now! Good post!

ProCW profile image

ProCW  says:
16 months ago

MMM... they sound yummy! Gonna try all four recipes! I used to love that chef from the muppets... hehe.

ProCW

jim10 profile image

jim10  says:
16 months ago

These recipes sound great. I have wanted a fresh donut for a long time. I used to get fresh ones from Dunkin Donuts. But now they ship them to the different locations instead of making them in the actual shop. So they never have fresh ones. They never taste as good after being shipped.

TessieSetiabudi profile image

TessieSetiabudi  says:
16 months ago

Yummy... thanks for the recipe, I will surely make one.

betherickson profile image

betherickson  says:
15 months ago

Wow! This looks fun and delicious. I love to make one for my grandchildrens.

Jamie Carroll profile image

Jamie Carroll  says:
14 months ago

Fantastic hub! I can't wait to try one of your recipes.

dabblingmum profile image

dabblingmum  says:
14 months ago

Looks fantastic! My mom used to make donuts using Pillsbury biscuits, in the tubes. I love them, but they still don't taste quite like donuts. Will have to give these a try! Thanks for posting. Love that you included your own photos, so we can see the real deal.

joemama  says:
13 months ago

may i try that one more time

RyanRE profile image

RyanRE  says:
13 months ago

Marye ~ Donuts are bad for you, but wow these look REALLY tasty.

BTW: Dig the video

shanel  says:
11 months ago

yuuummy! what an excellent hub! Anyway, I will have to stop my diet

poshster  says:
11 months ago

Looks good, thanks.

Ayu  says:
10 months ago

I love donuts! Thanks for recipe

J_Eds profile image

J_Eds  says:
10 months ago

Oh my god I really want one now!!!

KT-KY  says:
10 months ago

My Mom made these for me whenI was a kid. She got the recipe from a homeconomics teaching buddy! Thank you for sharing-these are a real treat!! I cannot wait to make! What great memories :)

Jesus_saves_us_7 profile image

Jesus_saves_us_7  says:
10 months ago

i am excited to try these. great info

tushar09 profile image

tushar09  says:
10 months ago

awesome .. great information...

Alana   says:
9 months ago

thanks for the info my try these :)

Thomas  says:
9 months ago

Seriously. Mashed potatoes????

Kat D.  says:
9 months ago

my husband has been wanting donuts for quit awhile. i lost my old recipe so i will enjoy making these cake donuts for him. thank you.great site

orionsky60403  says:
9 months ago

That looks delicious. It's so fun to make, so tasty to eat, but those darn Calories!

MotherHubber  says:
9 months ago

Great - now I want a donut!

Nice hub :-) If it made me hungry, that means the writing was good!

logowhiz profile image

logowhiz  says:
9 months ago

wow. i love this this one! can't wait to eat all the donuts in the world! LOL

natalie  says:
9 months ago

is that reall..............y true ??

i shall try to make it tomorrow..................=v="

coking_lover  says:
9 months ago

i think that these look finaminal....you look like an amazing chef i say props you are amazing

CharBrar profile image

CharBrar  says:
8 months ago

I love donuts. i will have to try these.

Marie  says:
8 months ago

We already know that donuts, and ANY other dessert, is bad for the body ( DUH ). But that does not mean that we should stay away from them completely. It only means that we should eat them in moderation. So, those of you who are health-atics, lightenen up.

Ashley Joy profile image

Ashley Joy  says:
8 months ago

I am wiping the drool as we speak! I love donuts a little too much and try to avoid them so that I do not have to put in extra time at the gym.

Covert Hypnosis 1  says:
8 months ago

Hi,

I only know donuts from Dunkin Donuts, and I don't like them. But with these recipes, I'll give it a try once, cause it reads pretty yummy!

Lisa HW profile image

Lisa HW  says:
8 months ago

I think this is a nicely put together Hub. Those of us who had no idea how to make doughnuts (I'm one) now have a good idea about it. I'm thinking it would be nice to make doughnuts on a cool Autumn day when leaf-cleaning has been going on.

ur mum  says:
7 months ago

that is good information

Igor  says:
7 months ago

Doughnuta are too soft...

Jim V  says:
7 months ago

When I was assigned to work in Africa, I have this Betty Crocker's Cookbook just follow the instructions and presto you have a delicious donuts, I used to read intructions to my houseboy, man he has perfected all the bread recipes. I lost the cookbook. Now that I am back at my home base I found this hubpage, wow I can make donuts anytime, for my friends and neighbors.

thelesleyshow profile image

thelesleyshow  says:
7 months ago

i am going to make some right now... yum

Cherry Blossom and Strawberries  says:
7 months ago

wow! i love the varieties. I'm a Filipina, and I only tried the traditional way from my country. I want to try these too.

ReverseMobileInfo profile image

ReverseMobileInfo  says:
6 months ago

WOW!!! You put a lot of time into this HUB, it definetlyshows!!! I found the information extremely helpful! I became a fan of yours and rated you UP too, please join my fanclub as well! Keep up the excellent work! Barry ;)

Sarah Harris  says:
6 months ago

Me and my husband have 5 kids so going to the store to buy them treats can get expensive. I always make a sweet treat for after dinner and my kids asked for donuts. i saw this recipe and i made them and they were gane as fast as i made them they were a big hit. Pluse i had all the stuff at my house didnt even have to go to the store.!!

Marianne G profile image

Marianne G  says:
6 months ago

Excellent hub. I am going to have to try the recipe for the cake donuts. There is nothing better than homemade donuts. They are so much better than the ones that you buy at the grocery store. A homemade cake donut with some icing on it with a glass of chocolate milk and I am a happy camper.

lola  says:
5 months ago

best doughnuts ever!!!!!whoo hoo they were yummy

moo cow  says:
5 months ago

those things were so disgusting things ever..the store makes better

and cheaper..come on now guys!!!

aissam  says:
5 months ago

mm yum ill try to make that for my family

annabui  says:
5 months ago

My kids love donuts. I must try it tomorrow.

akll  says:
5 months ago

is mashed potatoes supposed to be ther?

JudyG  says:
4 months ago

My four year old discover donuts and fell in love,i think it a good thing since he is such a picky eater and this i think is much wholesome rater than all the cheesy snacks he munch on...thing is I am happy to have found this site...making them at home will pleases me much more than buying

Allen  says:
3 months ago

I have just been to the Brisbane Ekka and was drolling over a doughnut stall but failed to try them. I am a bloke so I have to try your receipt to satisfy this craving. Thanks I hope I can do this.

Rainbow World profile image

Rainbow World  says:
3 months ago

Yummy yummy. Bookmarked to try out the recipe. Thanks.

Bob  says:
2 months ago

Can you use a normal saucepan instead of deep fryer?

Gina  says:
5 weeks ago

Ohhhhh...now my friend is pushing me to make donuts now!you are so good!you persuaded this lazy bone cook!haha just kiding! thanks

ken  says:
5 weeks ago

i love doughnut, i cant do without it

katie  says:
5 weeks ago

this looks soooo good!!!

i cant wait to try it!!!

LINA  says:
4 weeks ago

Best doughnut site ever!!

it Looks Amazing !!!

yo  says:
2 weeks ago

does donuts look delicious

John Cain profile image

John Cain  says:
7 days ago

I took notes on the donut recipe because I love them.Thank you... Do you know of a good recipe for buttermilk pie?

Miss Baker  says:
7 days ago

we made doughnuts for the first time ever tonight using the cake recipe and i have to say they are amazing! i do have a few tips though for those that are interested in making them..

1) we did not make traditional doughnuts; instead we just made a bunch of doughnut holes. the batter was rather sticky when i used my hands and it made it a whole lot easier to do the holes.

2) make the doughnuts (if you do the holes) about the size of a half dollar (in a ball though, of course).

* we had to make them on the stove top as we do not have a fryer, so what we did was used a pot with about 1/4 - 1/3 of it with oil (we chose canola) and had it on medium low heat (on a scale of 1 - 10, it's about a 3.)

3) to mix things up a bit, we added a bit of cocoa powder to some of the dough we reserved. these were the first to be made and at the time we had the heat up to 7.. and unfortunately, they weren't so successful (the middles were not cooked =( ) what was cooked was rather tasty though.

that's about all the tips i can think of. we also used 3 different toppings.. the glaze as mentioned above (which needed a bit more of the sugar than mentioned), regular powder sugar and a cinnamon and sugar mix.

happy baking!

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working