Today is National Donut Day! How better to celebrate than with this quick and easy homemade donut recipe.
Homemade Fried Donuts
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (one package) active dry yeast
- 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 quarts oil for frying (neutral oil, e.g., vegetable, canola, peanut…)
Heat milk to about 90 degrees; it should be warm, but not hot. In a large bowl, Combine the milk and yeast. Gently stir to dissolve yeast. Let sit about 5 minutes or until the mixture is frothy.
Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, beat the eggs, butter, sugar and salt into the yeast mixture.
Add half of the flour (2 cups plus 2 tablespoons), and mix until combined. Continue to mix in the remaining flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too wet, add more flour, about 2 tablespoons at a time.
If kneading by hand, transfer dough to a floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, and cover. Let rise in a warm area until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Once the dough has risen, turn out onto a well-floured surface, and roll it to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out the doughnuts with a doughnut cutter or two cookie cutters (using smaller cookie cutter to make center hole). Knead any scraps together, being careful not to overwork dough. It may help to let dough rest between kneading.
Put the doughnuts on two floured baking sheets leaving ample room between each one. Cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place until they are slightly puffed, about 45 minutes.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat to 375 degrees.
Carefully add the doughnuts to the oil, a few at a time. Flip donuts when the bottoms are deep golden brown, about 45 seconds to a minute. Once both sides are cooked, transfer the doughnuts to cooling racks, baking sheets or plates lined with paper towels. Adjust the heat as needed to keep the oil at 375 as you continue to fry the remaining dough. Glaze or fill donuts as desired.