Donut dough

Here’s a classic recipe for homemade yeast donuts. This recipe will yield about 12 donuts.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
• 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F/45°C)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough

For Frying:

• 2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the Dough:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix well.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
4. Add Flour: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition until the dough starts to come together. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
5. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step.
6. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Shape the Donuts:

1. Roll Out Dough: Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness.
2. Cut Donuts: Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large and one small) to cut out the donuts and donut holes. Re-roll the scraps and cut out more donuts until all the dough is used.
3. Second Rise: Place the cut donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, until they are puffy.

Fry the Donuts:

1. Heat Oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry Donuts: Carefully place a few donuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry them for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Glaze the Donuts:

1. Prepare Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Dip Donuts: While the donuts are still warm, dip the tops into the glaze and place them on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set.

Enjoy your homemade donuts!