Donuts — the classic American yeast doughnut
Donuts (or doughnuts) are the canonical American breakfast pastry: yeasted dough fried golden and finished with sugar, glaze, or filling. They are sold by the dozen across America from coffee chains, supermarkets, and specialty shops.
i. Origin & history
The doughnut form has many ancestors — Dutch oliebollen, German Berliners, Polish pączki — but the modern American doughnut is its own beast. Hanson Gregory, a Maine sea captain, reportedly invented the hole in 1847.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 12 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 500 g strong flour
- 60 g sugar
- 7 g instant yeast
- Pinch salt
- 250 ml warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 60 g unsalted butter, soft
- 1 litre oil for frying
- 200 g icing sugar + 2 tbsp milk (basic glaze)
iii. Method
- Make dough; prove 60 min.
- Roll out 1 cm thick. Cut rings with doughnut cutter.
- Prove 30 min. Fry at 170 °C for 90 sec per side until golden.
- Drain. Glaze, sugar-roll, or fill.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Endless variations: old-fashioned (cake doughnut), raised glazed (yeast), filled (jam, cream), chocolate, maple, powdered sugar.
vi. Common questions
What is donuts?
Donuts is the classic american yeast doughnut, from north american cuisine. They are sold by the dozen across America from coffee chains, supermarkets, and specialty shops
Where is donuts from?
Donuts is from the north american dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does donuts keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 1 day.