Fluffy and Delicious Homemade Sugar Donuts
These Homemade Sugar Donuts are soft, golden, and fluffy, and perfect for anytime you would like a treat to appease a sweet tooth! The donut dough is made with yeast, which helps them puff up during cooking and gives them a delicious flavor. While these are delicious for a dessert or snack, you could also eat them for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee.
To make the sugar donuts, you start with dissolving the yeast in milk. Then, you mix the flour with potatoes, sugar, eggs, the yeast mixture, lemon zest, and butter until combined. After that, the dough needs a few hours to rise before being cut into donut shapes and being allowed to rise again. The final step is frying them to golden perfect in hot oil before coating them in sugar. The sugar adds a wonderful texture to the exterior of these fluffy donuts!
What are Sugar Donuts?
These sugar donuts get their name from the fact that they are coated in granulated sugar after they are fried. The oil on the sides of the donuts coming out of the fryer ensures that the sugar sticks to the sides of the donuts easily.
These sugar donuts include a yeast-based dough rather than being leavened with chemical leaveners like baking powder or baking soda. This means that the dough requires some rising time so that the yeast can work on consuming the gluten and sugars in the flour, and results in tastier and more tender donuts.
Sugar donut doughs can vary, but this one includes mashed potatoes for added moisture. They also help bind the dough together. If you try this sugar donuts recipe, you may be surprised by how beneficial the mashed potatoes are and how they make the donuts extra fluffy.
Pro Tips
- This recipe is great for using up leftover potatoes that you have in your fridge, as long as they don’t include any savory ingredients like herbs or garlic.
- To ensure that the yeast is properly activated, it should appear foamy on top of the milk.
- You should knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic to ensure the donuts have the best possible texture. You will know it is sufficiently kneaded when you can stretch a small piece of it without it tearing.
- The best temperature for frying the donuts is 350 F (177 C) to 375 F (190 C). You can use an instant-read thermometer to tell the temperature of the oil.
- Fry the donuts in a pot with deeper sides if you are concerned about hot oil spilling over.
What to Serve with Sugar Donuts?
These sugar donuts can be served with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or milk for a perfect snack.
How Do I Know My Yeast is Fresh?
If you have had your yeast for a long time, it may no longer be alive. Usually, the best before date on the jar is a good indication of whether the yeast is still good or not, but if you are unsure, you can place a small amount of it in a cup of lukewarm water and see if it foams in a few minutes; if the yeast foams, you will know it is still active and fresh.
Can I Use Instant Yeast Instead?
Yes, you definitely could! The main difference between dry yeast and instant yeast is that the dry yeast needs to be dissolved in liquid first whereas instant yeast can be directly mixed into the dough without dissolving it in liquid.
Can I Bake These Instead?
Yes, you can bake these donuts instead of frying them! Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. While they won’t have the same crispy texture as fried donuts, they will still be delicious and slightly lighter.
How Will I Know the Donuts are Cooked?
The donuts will be golden brown on both sides when they are cooked through. By making sure the oil is heated to the correct temperature, you will ensure that the donuts will cook through in the time they turn golden. If the donuts are fried in oil that is too hot, you may run the risk of the donuts not cooking through before they turn golden on the outside.
How Do I Get the Sugar to Stick to The Donuts?
To get the sugar to stick to the donuts, coat them immediately after frying while they are still warm. Simply roll the donuts in a bowl of sugar, ensuring they are evenly covered. The warmth of the donuts will help the sugar adhere to their surface.
Can I Freeze Sugar Donuts?
Yes, these donuts can be frozen! Once fried and cooled, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply reheat them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispy texture.
How to Store Sugar Donuts
These sugar donuts are best served as soon as they are made as the sugar coating will sink into the donuts. However, if you have some left over, you can place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Ingredients
How to Make Sugar Donuts
In a bowl, mix the milk with the yeast and set it aside. In another bowl, stir the flour with the potatoes and sugar.
In a bowl, mix the milk with the yeast and set it aside. In another bowl, stir the flour with the potatoes and sugar.
Stir the eggs, yeast, lemon zest, and butter into the dough. Knead it until it is smooth and elastic. Shape it in a ball, cover it with plastic, and allow it to sit until it is doubled in size, about 3 hours.
Stir the eggs, yeast, lemon zest, and butter into the dough. Knead it until it is smooth and elastic. Shape it in a ball, cover it with plastic, and allow it to sit until it is doubled in size, about 3 hours.
Roll the dough out into an even layer. Cut out eight 9 cm circles and use a smaller cutter to cut holes in their centres. Place each donut on a square of parchment paper and cover them so they can rise for 1 hour.
Roll the dough out into an even layer. Cut out eight 9 cm circles and use a smaller cutter to cut holes in their centres. Place each donut on a square of parchment paper and cover them so they can rise for 1 hour.
Fry the donuts in hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Coat them in the sugar.
Fry the donuts in hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Coat them in the sugar.
Serve the donuts immediately!
Serve the donuts immediately!
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