Ingredients:
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1 to 2 cups warm milk (adjust as needed)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons yeast
- 65 grams butter
- 6 teaspoons sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake flour, warm milk, egg, salt, yeast, butter, and sugar. Mix until a soft dough forms, adjusting the milk if necessary. - Kneading:
Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. - Shaping the Doughnuts:
Once the dough has risen, roll it out to your preferred thickness. Cut out classic doughnut shapes using a cutter, shape into long strips for cream-filled doughnuts, or roll into small balls for jam-filled doughnuts. Let them rise again for 1-2 hours until puffy. - Frying:
Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry the doughnuts until golden brown on both sides. Avoid frying at low heat to prevent excess oil absorption. Once done, let them cool slightly before decorating or filling.
Doughnut Variations
Cream Doughnuts:
Slice the doughnuts without cutting through completely. Pipe in fresh whipped cream and garnish with a cherry and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Sugar-Coated Doughnuts:
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll warm doughnuts in the mixture for a sweet, crunchy coating.
Glazed Doughnuts:
Prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a bit of water. Add vanilla extract or food coloring if desired. Dip each doughnut into the glaze and decorate with sprinkles.
Jam-Filled Doughnuts:
Coat freshly fried doughnuts with cinnamon sugar. Using a piping bag, fill each with jam by making a small hole at the bottom.
Coffee-Glazed Doughnuts:
Mix icing sugar, butter, coffee, and melted chocolate for a rich glaze. Dip doughnuts halfway into the glaze and drizzle with white chocolate for an elegant touch.
Tips for Perfect Doughnuts
- Use warm milk: Helps activate the yeast for better rising.
- Maintain proper frying temperature: Medium-high heat prevents oil absorption and ensures a golden crust.
- Allow proper rising time: Letting the dough rise twice ensures soft and airy doughnuts.
- Experiment with flavors: Try different glazes, fillings, and toppings for variety.
- Best served fresh: Enjoy your doughnuts fresh, but store them in an airtight container for up to two days.
Creative Doughnut Ideas
- Chocolate-Dipped Doughnuts: Dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with nuts or candy.
- Lemon Cream Doughnuts: Fill with lemon curd and drizzle with a lemon glaze.
- Maple Bacon Doughnuts: Glaze with maple syrup and top with crispy bacon bits.
Conclusion
Making homemade doughnuts is a rewarding experience that allows for endless creativity. Whether you prefer them sugar-coated, cream-filled, or glazed, these soft and fluffy treats are sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, enjoy the process, and indulge in the deliciousness of freshly made doughnuts. Happy baking!