You can easily make a classic, perfect donut at home this Christmas. All the step-by-step instructions for this soft homemade donut stock recipe are explained in very simple terms. Even if you’re a beginner, you’ll be a master of this recipe.
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Soft Homemade Donut Stock Recipe: Perfect Like Peshawar
Classic Donut: Have you ever made melt-in-your-mouth donuts at home? If not, the homemade donut stock recipe in this article provides the base for all kinds of donuts, from glazed to chocolate-filled, sugar-coated, or jelly-filled. It’s incredibly easy and even beginner-friendly.
This recipe can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Whether you’re planning a weekend breakfast, dessert table, or branch out, this recipe will bring a smile to your face.
All the ingredients you need:
Before making this recipe, gather all the ingredients needed to make the donut stock dough so you don’t miss any.
Ingredients for the donut dough:
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup softened butter, unsalted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Extra flour, for dusting
Optional, ingredients for topping or glazing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for frying:
- 4 cups vegetable oil or canola oil
Step-by-step instructions for making this soft homemade donut stock recipe:
1. Activating the Yeast First
- Use a small bowl and add the milk to a slightly warm mixture, 105°C to 110°F. Be careful not to overheat.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar, then add the yeast, and mix thoroughly.
- Let stand until a foamy layer appears on top, or for 8 to 10 minutes.
Tip: If your yeast doesn’t foam, it may have expired. You can start again with new yeast.
2. Mixing the Wet Ingredients
- Use a large mixing bowl and whisk together the softened butter, egg, vanilla extract, and remaining sugar.
- Once combined, add the activated yeast mixture and continue mixing until smooth.
3. Mixing the Dry Ingredients
- Gently add the flour and salt to the prepared wet mixture. Use a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough, mixing thoroughly to ensure it doesn’t become soft.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 to 12 minutes, ensuring it remains pliable and smooth.
Tips: Avoid using sticky flour. If your dough is too sticky, add a little flour, only a tablespoon at a time, and knead.
4. Let the Dough Rise
- Use a lightly greased bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
- Place the dough in a warm place and let it rise until it doubles in size, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Tips: Preheat the oven to 150°F for a few minutes, then turn it off and place the bowl inside to allow it to rise comfortably.
5. Shaping the Doughnuts
- When your dough has risen, lightly press down to remove all the air.
- On a floured surface, roll out to a 1/2-inch thickness and shape into a donut and a hole. Use a donut cutter. Or use two round cutters, one large and one small.
- Let stand on parchment paper for 25 to 30 minutes to allow it to rise slightly.
6. Frying the Doughnuts
- Use a pan or frying pan to heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Be sure to fry only about 3 donuts at a time, ensuring a nice golden brown color, about 1 minute on all sides.
- Drain them on a paper towel and drain off any excess oil.
Tips: Keep the oil temperature consistent throughout the doughnut preparation; overheating will cause them to brown too quickly, while cooling will cause them to absorb more oil.
7. Coating or Glazing
You can choose different coatings:
- For a classic vanilla glaze, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth.
- Dip each warm donut and place on a cooling rack.
- For a cinnamon sugar glaze, mix half a cup of sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon and dip the warm donuts into the mixture.
For the Chocolate Glaze –
- Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips, two tablespoons butter, and one tablespoon milk. Dip the tops of the donuts in the glaze and let them cool at room temperature for 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Cooling –
- Cool the donuts at room temperature for 18 to 20 minutes before serving.
- Leftover donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can be refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.
Reheating –
- To refresh, heat them in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Some tips for a perfect homemade donut stock recipe:-
- Using warm ingredients – Eggs, yeast, or cold milk should be activated slowly.
- Oil temperature – Use a thermometer to check.
- Don’t over-knead – Over-kneading can cause the donuts to become dense and unbright.
- Let rise well – Let it rise well to achieve a bakery-style soft texture.
- Flavorings – Try caramel drizzle, maple glaze, or fruity fillings.
Some variations of the donut stock recipe:-
- For something fun, try the following-
- Boston Cream Donuts – Fill them with custard and dip them generously in chocolate glaze.
- Jelly Filled Donuts – For this recipe, spread strawberry or raspberry jam in the center after frying.
- Old-Fashioned Donuts – This recipe doesn’t require frying the yeast; simply add baking powder and fry immediately for a thicker texture.
- Baked Donuts – For a lighter and oil-free version, bake at 375°F for 11 to 13 minutes.
- Apple Cider Donuts – Add nutmeg, cinnamon, and a little apple cider to the dough.
How to Serve the Donut Stock Recipe:
- Place the donuts on skewers to serve as a donut tower party treat.
- Serve hot with hot chocolate or coffee.
- You can add fruit and whipped cream for a sweet treat.
- Serve with sprinkles at a children’s birthday party.
FAQ, Answers to Questions for the Soft Homemade Donut Stock Recipe:
Q. Can I knead the dough first?
Yes! Prepare the dough first, let it rise once, then refrigerate overnight and return it to room temperature to shape before frying.
Q. What is a donut stock recipe?
A donut stock recipe is a base or master dough recipe that can be customized to create different donuts with different glazes, fillings, and toppings, including glazed, frosted, or filled.
Q. Why do donuts get chicken?
If your oil temperature is low, the donuts absorb the oil too quickly. For the best texture, you should maintain the temperature at 350°F.
Q, Can the Soft Homemade Donut Stock Recipe be baked?
Yes! Place the doughnuts on a greased baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes. You can glaze them as desired.
Q. How to make this doughnut stock recipe fluffier?
You should give your dough time to rise sufficiently, and then avoid kneading it for too long. Keeping it in a warm, moist environment allows the yeast to fully activate, resulting in a fluffy bite.
Q. Can I use butter or a plant-based milk alternative?
Yes! That’s great, as oat milk, almond milk, or vegan butter are excellent and perfect for dairy-free doughnuts.
Q. What toppings go best with donuts?
For added popularity, toppings can include chocolate ganache, powdered sugar, maple glaze, rainbow sprinkles, crushed nuts, or caramel drizzle.
Q. How long does it take to make a donut stock recipe?
The total time from start to finish is about 2 hours. Boiling time is also included, but it yields a much better result.
Q, Can cooked donuts or dough be refrigerated?
Absolutely! You can use the refrigerator to store pre-cooked donuts for longer periods and then thaw them before reheating.
Uncooked donut rings should be frozen on a tray, then placed in a freezer bag and fried straight from frozen.
Q. Homemade Donut Stock Recipe: Are donuts like Krispy Kreme or Dunkini?
Yes! The doughnut dough at the base is soft and chewy. Just like store-bought doughnuts, homemade doughnuts are incredibly fresh and delicious, even more so than the ones you’d expect from the store.
Final Thoughts
A soft homemade doughnut stock recipe is a wonderful and excellent alternative to all types of doughnuts, as it remains golden, soft, and sweet.
This homemade doughnut recipe is so simple, yet versatile and suitable for all occasions, it’s sure to become a favorite during Christmas.
You can make this recipe a day before Christmas to feed all your family, friends, and guests. Once you’ve mastered it, you can create dozens of different doughnut flavors in your kitchen, and it doesn’t require any expensive equipment.