Learn how to make donuts and you’ll turn your kitchen into a cozy bakery.

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Few things are better than that first bite of a perfectly fluffy donut.

Then, theres the sensation of making your own.

Glazed Donuts on a Wire Rack

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Making donuts is mostly hands-off.

Am I saying youll never buy a hot now donut from the store again?

But youll sure taste the difference and have a blast experimenting with your favorite flavors at home.

Platter of Glazed Donuts with Some Covered in Sprinkles, Next to Mugs of Coffee, a Moka, and Another Platter of Glazed Donut Wholes

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Keys to Successful Homemade Donuts

What If I Don’t Have a Donut Cutter?

You could even make these square or heart-shaped.

you’re able to skip rolling and cutting altogether if you prefer shaping by hand.

Platter of Glazed Donut Holes, and in the Background, a Platter of Glazed Donuts and a Mug of Coffee

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Portion the dough into balls weighing about 80 grams each.

Note, these will take a little longer to rise during the second proof.

The good news is you could fill these with pastry cream, ganache, orfruit curdafter frying.

Stack of Glazed Donuts with the Top Donut Covered in Sprinkles, and Leaning Next to the Stack, a Glazed Donut with a Bite Missing, All on a Platter. In the Background, a Two Mugs of Coffee and Another Platter of Glazed Donuts

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Cold dough is also easier to roll, less sticky, and seamless to cut.

You will feel less rushed to cut your donuts and move on to the next step.

Theyll keep in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

Blooming Yeast in a Bowl of Milk for How to Make Donuts

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Once frozen, transfer to a resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

To measure the flour, fluff and then loosely scoop the flour into the measuring cup with a spoon.

Do not pack or compress the flour in any way.

Dough Ingredients (Wet and Dry) Added to Stand Mixer with Dough Hook for Donuts Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Use the flat side of a knife to gently sweep the excess off the top.

Even better, weigh the flour using a kitchen scale.

Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Sticky Donut Dough Mixed in a Stand Mixer and Sticking to the Bottom

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Add the frothy yeast mixture along with the eggs and butter.

Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough for 4 more minutes.

Place the dough in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Donut Dough in a Stand Mixer Bowl, All Dough Removed from Dough Hook

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Once proofed, punch the dough down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.

Roll the dough into a circle roughly 12 inches in diameter that is 1/2 inch thick.

Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out about 12 rounds.

Doughnut Dough Proofing in a Bowl

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Use a 1-inch cutter to cut out the center holes of each donut, reserving the holes to fry.

Gather any scraps and roll them into balls about the size of the holes.

Cover both baking sheets with lightly greased plastic wrap.

Proofed Doughnut Dough for How to Make Doughnuts

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Let rise once more in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

The dough is proofed when you gently touch a donut and the dough slowly bounces back.

Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350F.

Donut Dough Rolled Out on a Floured Counter

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Set next to the paper towel-lined baking sheet.

Return the oil to 350F and finish frying the donuts in batches.

Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before glazing.

Donuts Cut from Rolled Dough Using a Round Cutter

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

If using a glaze, whisk together the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and glossy.

Use 2 forks to remove from the glaze and let the excess drip off.

Place on the wire rack until the glaze is set.

Smaller Cutter Used to Cut a Hole in the Donuts

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Donuts and Donut Holes Proofing on Two Lined Baking Sheets

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Proofed Donuts and Donut Holes on Two Lined Baking Pans

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Donuts Fried in a Dutch Oven Filled with Hot Oil

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Donuts Flipped and Frying in the Dutch Oven with Oil

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Pile of Doughnuts Resting on a Paper Towel Lined Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Donut Holes Frying in the Oil for How to Make Donuts

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Donut Holes on a Paper Towel Lined Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Glazing Process (L to R): Paper Towel Lined Plated with a Stack of Donuts, a Donut Dipped into a Bowl of Glaze. and a Wire Rack with Parchment Paper under It

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Glazing Process: Donut Flipped to Glaze the Other Side and Raised Using Two Forks

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Glazed Donuts Resting on a Wire Rack with Parchment Paper under It

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm