Soft and Airy Doughnut Recipe Made from Scratch Delight

Soft and airy doughnuts, oh my! Picture this: fluffy clouds of sweetness that melt in your mouth, leaving you with a cozy feeling reminiscent of childhood mornings spent at the local bakery. The aroma of warm doughnut batter wafts through your kitchen, making it impossible to resist sneaking a bite before they even cool down. fun and festive meal ideas This soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch is not just a treat; it’s an experience that you’ll want to savor over and over again.

Now, let me take you back to a time when I first tried making these delightful rings of joy. It was one of those lazy Sundays when the only plan was to wear pajamas all day and indulge in anything sugary. Little did I know that I would end up with flour on my face, a kitchen looking like a tornado hit it, but most importantly, a batch of heavenly doughnuts that tasted like pure love. Perfect for brunch gatherings or those late-night cravings, this recipe is sure to excite your taste buds and create memories that last long after the last crumb is gone.

Ingredients for soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch

For more inspiration, check out this easy air fryer cookies recipe recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of our doughnuts. It provides structure while keeping them light and fluffy.
• Granulated Sugar: A must for sweetness! It helps achieve that lovely golden crust that makes doughnuts so irresistible.
• Active Dry Yeast: The magic ingredient! It makes our dough rise and gives those airy pockets we crave.
• Milk: Use warm milk to activate the yeast properly; it brings richness and moisture to the batter.
• Eggs: These add richness and help bind everything together for that perfect texture.
• Butter: Melted butter adds an incredible flavor depth while keeping the dough moist.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla elevates the flavor profile—because who doesn’t love vanilla?
• Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds warmth and spice, bringing everything together beautifully.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

How to Make soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch

Follow these simple steps to prepare this delicious dish:

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F) with active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about five minutes until it’s frothy—this means your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Mix Your Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and your activated yeast mixture until smooth.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture into your wet ingredients while stirring continuously until everything comes together into a sticky dough.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Turn your dough onto a floured surface and knead for about five minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. It should feel soft but not too sticky. If it sticks too much, sprinkle a little extra flour as needed.

Step 5: First Rise

Place your kneaded dough in an oiled bowl; cover it with plastic wrap or a clean cloth. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size—about one hour. Patience here is key!

Step 6: Shape Your Doughnuts

Once risen, punch down your dough (the fun part!) and roll it out on a floured surface to about half an inch thick. Using a round cutter (or two different-sized cups), cut out circles—and don’t forget to cut holes in the middle!

Step 7: Second Rise

Place your shaped doughnuts on parchment paper-lined trays. Cover them again with cloths and let them rise for another thirty minutes—they’re going to puff up beautifully!

Step 8: Fry Away

Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot (around 350°F). Fry each doughnut for about one minute per side until golden brown. Keep an eye on them; they can go from golden to burnt faster than you can say “doughnut!”

Step 9: Glaze or Powder Sugar

Let your fried beauties cool slightly before glazing them or dusting them with powdered sugar—because what’s better than warm doughnuts?

Transfer to plates and enjoy these soft and airy delights with friends or family—the perfect excuse for joyful indulgence!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by mixing your dry ingredients first; this helps distribute the yeast evenly. Then, combine wet ingredients while letting your dough rise. Once risen, shape your doughnuts, let them puff up again, and fry until golden brown. This sequence maximizes flavor and texture.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to customize your soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch! Swap out vanilla for almond extract or add sprinkles for a fun twist. You can even toss in chocolate chips or lemon zest for extra flavor excitement.

Storing & Reheating

To keep your doughnuts fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to reheat, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in an oven for a few minutes to restore their fluffiness.

Sometimes my doughnuts have turned into an epic kitchen disaster—think flour clouds and sticky fingers everywhere! But those moments led to some of my best recipes and even better laughs with friends who couldn’t believe I had any hope of making doughnuts!

FAQs :

What ingredients are needed for the soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch?

To create the perfect soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch, you’ll need some essential ingredients. These include all-purpose flour, sugar, active dry yeast, milk, eggs, butter, and a pinch of salt. Additionally, you may want to add vanilla extract for flavor. savory cake recipe Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that light texture and delicious taste that makes homemade doughnuts irresistible. Ensure you measure each component accurately for the best results.

How long does it take to make soft and airy doughnuts from scratch?

Making soft and airy doughnuts from scratch requires some time but is definitely rewarding. The entire process typically takes around two hours. This includes preparation time of about 30 minutes, followed by resting and proofing the dough for approximately one hour. After shaping the doughnuts, allow them to rise again for about 30 minutes before frying or baking. While it might seem lengthy, the delightful outcome makes every minute worth it.

Can I use different flavors for my soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch?

Absolutely! One of the great things about making your own soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch is that you can customize flavors to suit your taste. For instance, you can incorporate spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough. You can also experiment with flavored extracts such as almond or citrus. Additionally, consider topping your finished doughnuts with various glazes or fillings like chocolate or fruit jams to elevate their flavor profile. For more inspiration, check out this baked apples with feta recipe.

How should I store leftover soft and airy doughnuts?

To keep your leftover soft and airy doughnuts fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their softness for up to two days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Wrap each cooled doughnut in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them up briefly in the microwave.

Conclusion for soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch :

In summary, making the soft and airy doughnut recipe made from scratch is a fun and rewarding experience. With simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and yeast, you can create delightful treats that everyone will love. Remember to allow ample time for proofing your dough to achieve that perfect texture. delicious ice cream recipes Experimenting with flavors will keep things exciting in your kitchen. Enjoy these delicious homemade doughnuts fresh or store them properly for later enjoyment!

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

📖 Recipe Card

Print

Soft and Airy Doughnuts

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Grace
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Soft and airy doughnuts made from scratch are a delightful treat that evokes nostalgic bakery memories. With their rich buttery flavor and fluffy texture, these doughnuts are perfect for brunch or a sweet snack any time of day. Easy to prepare, they promise to impress family and friends while filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Follow this simple recipe to create your own batch of heavenly doughnuts that will leave everyone asking for more.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. 1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm milk with yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, and activated yeast mixture until smooth.
3. 3. Combine dry ingredients: Sift flour and salt in another bowl. Gradually add to wet mixture, stirring until sticky dough forms.
4. 4. Knead the dough: On a floured surface, knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5. First rise: Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).
6. 6. Shape doughnuts: Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thick and cut out shapes using round cutters.
7. 7. Second rise: Let shaped doughnuts rise again for 30 minutes on parchment-lined trays.
8. 8. Fry: Heat oil to 350°F and fry each doughnut for about 1 minute per side until golden brown.
9. 9. Glaze or dust: Cool slightly before glazing or dusting with powdered sugar.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 doughnut
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg