Easy Homemade Yeast Donuts

These Easy Homemade Yeast Donuts require less than 10 ingredients and the hardest part is waiting for the dough to rise. They're so delicious, you may never buy donuts again!

Growing up in Texas, on special occasions, my Dad would go out pick up a dozen donuts from Shipley Do-nuts. Famous for their warm donuts, everyone in my family preferred the glazed ones, but I just loved the texture and crunch, and the sugar mustache, I got from a sugar raised donut. A warm fluffy donut, tossed in plain granulated sugar. Oh man, I was a happy, sticky kid.

When I worked at the bakery, we made enough brioche dough every week to make brioche pastries, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, babka, and again on special occasions only, donuts. Delicious, warm, sugary donuts.

This is my simplified version of those donuts in a recipe so simple, you can have donuts whenever you want. No special occasion required. Sorry Shipley.

Ingredients

I wanted to keep this as classic as possible, so you probably have all the ingredients you need to put a donut in your mouth tomorrow morning!

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions

It's pretty hard to find a reason to substitute such simple ingredients, but if something comes up...

• Active dry yeast - Despite its deceptive name, this is a yeast that has to be activated in a warm liquid to wake it up. If you only have instant yeast, you can use the same amount and just skip the activation step.
• Cinnamon - Some people have a cinnamon sensitivity, so you can skip this optional ingredient. Sometimes I like a nice cinnamon sugar coating, but I really just wanted to give these donuts a classic raised sugar vibe.
• Milk - I use whole milk because, hello, I'm having a donut. This is not the time to haul out the skim milk. But you do you.
• Vegan, gluten-free, etc - I respect the need for some people to follow dietary guidelines, but if you are looking to lo-cal, keto, or veganize these donuts, you're probably in the wrong place. There are fabulous food bloggers who specialize in those spaces that you can find online.

Tips for using yeast

1. For best results, buy and use yeast before the expiration date. Yeast loses its potency over time, resulting in longer rising times, or no rise at all. We proof active dry yeast to determine whether it is still alive. To proof, add your yeast to warm liquid, as directed in your recipe. If your yeast doesn't start to foam up within 5 minutes of adding it to the liquid, your yeast is probably deceased. You'll need to buy more, then start again.
2. Make sure the liquid you are using, to proof your yeast, is between 100°F and 110°F. Any hotter and you risk killing the yeast; colder and the yeast won't wake up. If you don't have a thermometer, the liquid should feel warm to the touch - not too hot and not too cold. Goldilocks.
3. If you don't have active dry yeast, you can use the same amount of instant yeast. Instant yeast may also be labelled as bread machine yeast or rapid rise yeast. They're all the same, just different names. Instant yeast does not have to be proofed. Just add it to the dry ingredients and go!

Variations

Other than classic sugar or sinnamon sugar, there are plenty of ways to toss your donuts. here are a few!

• Powdered sugar - Instead of using granulated sugar as a topping, allow your donuts to cool completely, then toss them in powdered sugar.
• Chocolate - Add two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to a cup of powdered sugar and give your donuts a roll for a chocolaty twist.
• Fruity fun - Blitz up some freeze dried fruit, like strawberries or raspberries, in your food processor, and mix it with your sugar for a delicious fruity spin.

Equipment

You don't have to own a deep fat fryer to make homemade yeast donuts. I had one for years and just got tired of having to clean all the little nooks and crannies every time I removed the oil. I find it much easier, and more affordable, to use a dutch oven that I also use for soups, stews, and no-knead bread.

Instructions

I know that I used to get overwhelmed by the very thought of using yeast or frying stuff, but once you try it, you find it just isn't that hard. I've really simplified the whole process and I think this is going to become one of your favorite weekend projects! Read through all the steps and then let make some donuts!

1. Add 2 ¼ teaspoons (one packet) of active dry yeast, and a tablespoon of sugar, to one cup of warm milk.

2. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy.

3. Combine all dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and add eggs, vanilla, and your foamy yeast mixture.

4. Using the beater attachment, mix on low for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a shaggy dough is formed.

5. Switch to your dough hook and, still on low, begin adding pieces of butter, one at a time, until they are all incorporated. Increase to medium and allow dough to mix for 4 to 5 minutes, or until soft and smooth, but still a bit sticky.

6. Remove dough from the mixer and shape into a ball. Place in a bowl that has been oiled. Cover with plastic and place in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can allow the dough to rise on the counter for 3 to 4 hours.

7. Remove dough from the refrigerator (or counter). It should have about doubled in size.

8. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and roll out to a 12 inch circle, about ¼ inch thick.

9. Using 3 to 3 ½ inch ring cutters, cut out round donuts, cutting as close together as possible.

10. Using a smaller 1 inch ring cutter, cut out donut holes. Save those for, you know, donut holes.

11. Cut 2 sheets of parchment paper into 6 pieces each. Place each donut on a individual square. The reason will become apparent. Place the donut holes on another small piece of parchment. Reroll scraps and make more donuts. You should get 10 donuts and ten donut holes.

12. Spray a piece of plastic wrap with nonstick spray and cover donuts. Allow to rise for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until puffy. In the meantime, heat oil in a medium dutch oven or deep cast iron skillet to 350°F. Use a thermometer to test temperature.

13. Using the parchment paper, lay 2 pieces of dough into the hot oil. The parchment paper will release and you can remove it with tongs and discard it. Cook donut for 80 to 90 seconds, or until golden brown.

14. Using 2 chopsticks, a slotted spoon, or a spider strainer, flip your donuts, and cook for another 80 to 90 seconds, or until golden brown on the other side.

15. Carefully remove the finished donuts and place on a wire rack placed on a large sheet pan.

16. Allow to cool for 60 seconds, then place into a tray containing your sugar and toss to coat. Place back on wire rack to cool completely.

17. Check temperature between batches, keeping it around 350°F, adjusting your stove temp as needed. Continue cooking your donuts until done. Don't forget to fry your donut holes! They should only take about a minute. Sugar, cool, devour. Repeat forever.

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