Doughnuts (or donuts) are a delicious fried or baked treat made from sweet dough, often shaped into rings or filled rounds. They come in a wide variety of styles, flavors, and toppings. Here’s a quick overview:
Types of Doughnuts
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Yeast Doughnuts – Light and airy, made with yeast-leavened dough. These are your classic glazed or frosted ring doughnuts.
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Cake Doughnuts – Denser and more crumbly, made with baking powder or baking soda. Often spiced or flavored (like chocolate or pumpkin).
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Filled Doughnuts – Round doughnuts stuffed with cream, jam, custard, or other fillings.
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Old-Fashioned – A rustic, craggy cake doughnut, often glazed and slightly crunchy outside.
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Crullers & Other Shapes – Twisted or ridged doughnuts like French crullers, which are airy and light.
Popular Toppings and Fillings
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Toppings: Glaze, icing, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, sprinkles, crushed nuts, or bacon.
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Fillings: Custard, Bavarian cream, jelly, chocolate ganache, lemon curd, etc.
Basic Yeast Doughnut Recipe (Fried)
Ingredients:
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2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
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1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
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1/4 cup sugar
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2 eggs
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1/4 cup melted butter
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1 tsp salt
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4 cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)
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Oil for frying
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Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk + 1/2 tsp vanilla
Steps:
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Mix yeast and warm milk. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Add sugar, eggs, butter, salt, and half the flour. Mix until combined.
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Add remaining flour gradually; knead until soft and smooth.
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Cover and let rise 1–2 hours until doubled.
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Roll dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into rings. Let rise 30–45 mins.
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Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry doughnuts 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
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Drain on paper towels. Dip in glaze while warm.
