Fluffy, Foolproof Yeast Doughnuts Recipe for Sweet Success

Have you ever dreamed about creating perfect yeast doughnuts that rival your local bakery?

Soft clouds of dough dance between crisp golden edges, promising pure comfort in every bite.

Rich buttermilk and active yeast collaborate to generate an irresistible texture that melts across your palate.

Delicate rounds emerge from hot oil with a subtle shimmer, waiting to be adorned with sweet glazes or classic powdered sugar.

Each carefully crafted circle carries memories of weekend mornings and shared laughter around kitchen counters.

Our straightforward technique breaks down complex steps into simple, achievable movements that even novice bakers can master.

Warm, tender doughnuts beckon you to roll up sleeves and start mixing – pure magic awaits your eager hands.

Why These Yeast Doughnuts Are Bakery-Level Good

• Crafting Perfect Yeast Doughnuts
• Unleash professional-level doughnuts right in your kitchen with simple steps and minimal specialized equipment.
• Enjoy a relaxing, rewarding project that transforms your home into a delightful pastry workshop, filling the air with warm, comforting aromas.
• Experiment with endless variations like classic glazed, sugared, filled, or chocolate-dipped doughnuts to match every taste preference and mood.
• Wow family and friends with soft, pillowy doughnuts that taste infinitely better than store-bought versions, creating memorable shared moments.

What You’ll Need to Make Fluffy Yeast Doughnuts

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for dough structure, provides essential texture and strength.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast activity.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with yeast fermentation.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with perfect consistency.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Optional topping for extra flavor and texture.

• Whole Milk, Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides moisture for soft dough.
• Eggs: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, provides structure.
• Softened Butter: Creates tender crumb and adds rich flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep frying, creates crispy exterior.

• Active Dry Yeast: Helps dough rise and develop flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet undertone to glaze.
• Jam, Custard, Nutella: Optional filling for variety and extra indulgence.

How to Fry Doughnuts That Are Soft and Golden

Step 1: Activate Yeast Magic

Combine warm milk, yeast, and a sprinkle of sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture bubble and transform for 5-10 minutes until wonderfully frothy.

Step 2: Create Dough Foundation

• Flour
• Remaining sugar
• Salt

Step 3: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Yeast mixture
• Eggs
• Softened butter

Mix until a soft, pillowy dough emerges. Knead by hand for 8-10 minutes or use a stand mixer with dough hook for 5-7 minutes until smooth and stretchy.

Step 4: First Dough Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rest in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 5: Shape Doughnuts

Punch down dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll to 1/2-inch thickness.

Step 6: Cut Doughnut Shapes

• 3-inch diameter doughnuts
• 1-inch center holes

Step 7: Second Rise

Place doughnuts on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely and let rise 30-45 minutes until puffy.

Step 8: Prepare Frying Station

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Use a thermometer to maintain consistent temperature.

Step 9: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully fry 2-3 doughnuts at a time, cooking 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 10: Glaze and Decorate

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla

Dip warm doughnuts in glaze or roll in sugar.

Step 11: Optional Filling

• Jam
• Custard
• Nutella

into doughnut centers.

Helpful Tips for Dough That Rises Right

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to activate yeast without killing it, creating a frothy, alive mixture that helps dough rise beautifully.
• Knead with Confidence: Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly, either by hand or mixer, until dough becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when gently pressed.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature using a thermometer to prevent greasy, undercooked, or burnt doughnuts during frying.
• Handle Dough Gently: Let dough rise in a draft-free, warm spot and avoid overworking it to preserve delicate air pockets that create light, fluffy texture.
• Customize with Ease: Experiment with different glazes, sugars, or fillings like jam, cream, or chocolate to personalize your doughnuts and surprise taste buds.

Store Doughnuts Without Losing Texture or Flavor

• Store leftover doughnuts in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days.
• Keep glazed or sugared doughnuts at room temperature for up to 24 hours, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm doughnuts in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes, which helps restore their original soft texture and slight crispness.
• Briefly heat doughnuts for 10-15 seconds to revive them, but be cautious to avoid making them tough or rubbery.

Treats and Drinks That Pair with Yeast Doughnuts

• The deep, robust flavors of espresso perfectly complement the sweet, tender texture of these homemade yeast doughnuts, cutting through their richness while enhancing the overall taste experience.
• A cold, velvety vanilla milkshake creates a delightful contrast to the warm, freshly fried doughnuts, offering a smooth and refreshing counterpoint to the crispy exterior.
• The warm, aromatic spices in a chai latte beautifully highlight the doughnuts' subtle sweetness, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and indulgence that warms both body and soul.
• A tangy, vibrant berry sauce provides a bright, acidic note that balances the doughnuts' richness, adding a fresh dimension and lightening the overall flavor profile.

Filling and Glaze Ideas for Yeast Doughnuts

• Gluten-Free Doughnuts: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum for texture and structure, ensuring celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals can enjoy these treats.
• Vegan Doughnut Option: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free and egg-free version that remains soft and flavorful.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar, and create a sugar-free glaze with sugar-free powdered sweetener and almond milk for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Protein-Packed Variation: Incorporate protein powder into the flour mixture and add Greek yogurt to the wet ingredients for a more nutritionally balanced doughnut that supports muscle recovery and sustained energy.

Perfect Yeast Doughnuts Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Golden, pillowy doughnuts will transport home bakers straight to pastry paradise. Pillowy clouds of fried dough dusted with cinnamon sugar promise pure breakfast bliss that delights hungry crowds with irresistible comfort.

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Ingredients

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Dough Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups (410 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters / 6 fluid ounces) warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt

Frying Ingredient:

• Vegetable oil, for frying

Glaze and Topping Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces) milk or water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar
• Jam, custard, or Nutella for filling

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by whisking it with warm milk and a portion of sugar. Allow the mixture to bloom and become foamy, indicating the yeast is alive and active.
2. Create a flour base by combining dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of salt and remaining sugar.
3. Incorporate the frothy yeast mixture, room-temperature eggs, and softened butter into the dry ingredients. Blend thoroughly until a cohesive, slightly tacky dough emerges.
4. Develop the dough’s gluten structure through vigorous kneading, either manually or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Continue until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when gently pressed.
5. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest in a draft-free, warm environment. Allow the dough to rise and double in volume, which typically takes 1-1.5 hours.
6. Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down. Transfer to a floured workspace and roll out to a uniform 1/2-inch thickness.
7. Utilize circular cutters to shape doughnuts, creating both outer rings and central holes. Carefully transfer cut pieces onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
8. Permit a second rise, covering the shaped doughnuts loosely. Let them become puffy and slightly increased in volume, approximately 30-45 minutes.
9. Heat vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to a precise 350°F. Maintain consistent temperature using a reliable cooking thermometer.
10. Fry doughnuts in small batches, carefully lowering them into the hot oil. Cook until achieving a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 1-2 minutes per side.
11. Remove fried doughnuts using a slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drain on absorbent paper towels. Repeat the frying process with doughnut holes.
12. Prepare a smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract. Dip warm doughnuts into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off.
13. For alternative finishes, roll warm doughnuts in granulated or cinnamon sugar, or use a piping bag to inject fillings like jam, custard, or Nutella into the centers.

Notes

• Let the milk reach exactly 110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing it, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
• Avoid overworking the dough during kneading, which can make doughnuts tough and dense instead of tender and soft.
• Invest in a candy thermometer for precise oil temperature control, preventing greasy or undercooked doughnuts during frying.
• Experiment with alternative flour options like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary adaptations, adjusting liquid ratios accordingly.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg