Craving the deliciousness of freshly baked doughnuts but don’t want to deal with the hassle of frying? Look no further! In this article, we have got the perfect recipe for baked doughnuts with yeast. These fluffy treats are easy to make at home and will satisfy your doughnut cravings in no time. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you’ll be enjoying warm, melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts straight from your oven. So put on your apron and get ready to bake up a batch of these delightful treats!
Ingredients
To make delicious baked doughnuts with yeast, you will need the following ingredients:
All-purpose flour
All-purpose flour is the base of the doughnut dough. It provides structure and texture to the final product.
Sugar
Sugar adds sweetness to the doughnuts and helps with browning during baking.
Active dry yeast
Active dry yeast is an essential ingredient for making doughnuts. It helps with the rising process and gives the doughnuts a light and airy texture.
Warm milk
Warm milk serves as the liquid component in the dough. It adds moisture and helps activate the yeast.
Egg
An egg helps bind the dough together and adds richness to the flavor.
Unsalted butter
Unsalted butter adds richness and tenderness to the dough. It also provides flavor.
Salt
Salt enhances the overall flavor of the doughnuts.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract adds a pleasant aroma and flavor to the doughnuts.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil is used for greasing the baking pan and prevents the doughnuts from sticking. It also adds moisture to the dough.
Recipe For Baked Doughnuts With Yeast
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour: 3 cups
- Sugar: 1/2 cup
- Active dry yeast: 1 packet 2 1/4 teaspoons
- Warm milk: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Unsalted butter melted: 1/4 cup
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- Vegetable oil: For greasing
For the Glaze:
- Powdered sugar: 1 cup
- Milk: 2-3 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract: 1/2 teaspoon optional
Optional Toppings:
- Sprinkles
- Crushed nuts
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm milk, a teaspoon of sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
- Prepare Wet Mix: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mix: Add the wet ingredients and the activated yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
Shape the Doughnuts:
- Prepare the Shape: Deflate the dough gently and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or round cookie cutters to shape the doughnuts.
- Second Rise: Place the shaped doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake the Doughnuts:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Place the doughnuts in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove and let them cool on a wire rack.
Glaze and Toppings:
- Prepare the Glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk in a bowl until smooth. Add vanilla extract if using.
- Apply Glaze: Dip the slightly cooled doughnuts into the glaze or drizzle it over them.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle optional toppings like crushed nuts or powdered sugar.
Storage and Serving:
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Serve with coffee or tea for a delightful treat.
Notes
Handle the dough gently to maintain its airy structure. Enjoy your homemade baked doughnuts with yeast! Feel free to experiment with different flavors and toppings.
Dough Preparation
To prepare the dough for your baked doughnuts, follow these steps:
Activate the yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm milk, a teaspoon of sugar, and the active dry yeast. Stir gently until the yeast dissolves. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Combine dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Ensure the dry ingredients are well-combined.
Add wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, along with the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
Knead the dough
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This will develop the gluten and give the doughnuts a better texture.
First rise
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size. This step allows the yeast to work its magic and leaven the dough.
Shaping and Second Rise
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape your doughnuts:
Prepare the doughnut shape
Gently deflate the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Use a doughnut cutter or a round cookie cutter to cut out doughnut shapes. If you don’t have a cutter, you can also use a glass to make the outer circle and a smaller bottle cap to cut out the center.
Second rise
Place the cut-out doughnuts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a kitchen towel and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes. This second rise helps the doughnuts puff up and become light and airy.
Baking the Doughnuts
Once the doughnuts have risen again, it’s time to bake them:
Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Give it enough time to reach the desired temperature before baking.
Bake the doughnuts
Place the risen doughnuts in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to avoid over-baking. Once they are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
Glaze and Toppings
A great doughnut isn’t complete without a delicious glaze and some optional toppings:
Prepare the glaze
To make a simple glaze, combine powdered sugar and a few tablespoons of milk in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and well-combined. For a flavored glaze, you can add a dash of vanilla extract or even melted chocolate.
Apply the glaze
Once the doughnuts have cooled slightly, dip them into the glaze, ensuring they are fully coated. You can also use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the doughnuts for a more artistic touch.
Add optional toppings
If you want to take your baked doughnuts to the next level, feel free to add toppings. Sprinkles, crushed nuts, or even a dusting of powdered sugar can add a delightful visual and textural element to your creations.
Storage and Serving
To ensure freshness and enjoy your baked doughnuts for longer, follow these storage instructions:
Storage instructions
Store your baked doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature or reheat them in the oven for a few minutes.
Serving suggestions
Baked doughnuts can be enjoyed on their own or paired with your favorite beverage, such as coffee or tea. They make a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or any time you’re craving a sweet indulgence.
Troubleshooting For Baked Doughnuts With Yeast
In case you encounter any issues while making your baked doughnuts, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips:
Doughnut texture issues
If your doughnuts turn out dense or heavy, it could be due to over-kneading the dough or not allowing enough rising time. Make sure to knead the dough just until it becomes smooth, and give it ample time to rise until doubled in size.
Yeast-related problems
If your yeast doesn’t activate or the dough doesn’t rise, it could be due to using expired yeast or the milk being too hot, which can kill the yeast. Ensure you check the expiration date of your yeast and use warm, but not hot, milk to activate it.
Variations and Customizations
Baked doughnuts offer endless possibilities for customization and variations. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
Chocolate doughnuts
Add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients to create a chocolaty version of the doughnuts. You can also add chocolate chips or a chocolate glaze for an extra indulgent treat.
Fruit-filled doughnuts
Inject your cooled doughnuts with your favorite fruit jam or jelly for a burst of fruity flavor. Dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch.
Spiced doughnuts
Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice to the dry ingredients to create warm and cozy spiced doughnuts. These are perfect for fall or winter seasons.
Tips and Tricks
To ensure your baked doughnuts turn out perfect each time, here are a few tips and tricks:
Yeast activation tips
If you’re unsure whether your yeast is active, you can combine it with a little sugar and warm water instead of milk. If it starts to bubble and foam within a few minutes, then it’s ready to be used.
Dough handling techniques
When rolling out the dough, make sure to flour your surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Gently handle the dough to preserve its texture and rise.
FAQ’s on Baked Doughnuts With Yeast
Yes, you can use bread flour for a chewier texture or whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but the texture and flavor may vary.
Yes, instant yeast can be used. It doesn’t require activation and can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients.
You can use a round glass to cut the outer circle and a bottle cap for the center hole.
If the yeast mixture becomes foamy after 5 minutes, it’s active. If not, your yeast may be expired or the milk may have been too hot.
Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it have its first rise in the fridge overnight. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before shaping.
They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Conclusion on Baked Doughnuts With Yeast
You have successfully learned how to make delicious baked doughnuts with yeast. Follow the steps outlined in this article, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying homemade doughnuts that are light, fluffy, and full of flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to create your own unique creations. So go ahead, enjoy your homemade doughnuts, and let your creativity shine!