There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly made donuts wafting through your kitchen, especially when they’re warm and fluffy, straight from the fryer. These homemade donuts are far superior to store-bought varieties, offering a deliciously soft texture and customizable flavors. Whether you prefer them simply sprinkled with sugar or filled with rich chocolate, this recipe will guide you through making the perfect batch. Get ready to indulge in these delightful, warm treats that are sure to become a family favorite!
Recipe: Homemade Warm Donuts
Ingredients (for 10 donuts):
For the Dough:
- 350g Bread flour
- 160ml Warm milk (below 36℃)
- 50g (5 Tbsp) Sugar
- 6g (1 Tbsp) Instant dry yeast
- 1 Room temperature egg
- 6g (2 tsp) Salt
- 40g Room temperature unsalted butter
For the Chocolate Filling:
- 80g Dark chocolate (milk chocolate can be used)
- 300ml Milk
- 30g (3 Tbsp) Cornstarch
For the Coating:
- Sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, mix the warm milk with the sugar and instant dry yeast.
- Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy, which shows the yeast is working.
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix together the bread flour and salt.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and the room temperature egg.
- Mix the ingredients together until a sticky dough forms.
- Gradually add the room temperature butter, kneading until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- This should take about 10 minutes of kneading by hand or 5 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
- First Fermentation:
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the Donuts:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thickness.
- Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one larger and one smaller) to cut out the donuts. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut out more donuts.
- Second Fermentation:
- Place the shaped donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let them rise for 20-30 minutes until they puff up.
Making the Chocolate Filling:
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a saucepan, combine the cornstarch and a small amount of the milk to make a smooth paste.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until it thickens.
- Remove from heat and add the dark chocolate, stirring until it melts completely and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
Frying and Coating the Donuts:
- Fry the Donuts:
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or pot to about 160°C (320°F).
- Cook each donut for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the donuts from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Coat the Donuts:
- While the donuts are still warm, roll them in sugar to coat evenly.
Filling the Donuts:
- Fill the Donuts:
- Once the donuts have cooled slightly, use a piping bag fitted with a nozzle to fill them with the chocolate filling.
Tips for the Best Donuts:
- For the fluffiest and most delicious donuts, perform a third fermentation by letting the donuts rise again for 20-30 minutes after shaping. If time is constrained, the second fermentation will suffice.
- Fry the donuts slowly at a low temperature to ensure they cook evenly inside without burning the outside.
Conclusion:
These homemade warm donuts are the epitome of comfort food—soft, fluffy, and filled with rich chocolate. The process is simple and rewarding, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying them plain with a dusting of sugar or filled with a luscious chocolate center, these donuts are sure to delight anyone who tries them. So why wait? Treat yourself to these delicious, warm donuts today and experience the joy of homemade baking!