🍩 Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
🛒 Ingredients:
Dough:
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2 tablespoons active dry yeast
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1/4 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F / 40°C to 46°C)
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1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk (around 100°F / 38°C)
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 large eggs
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1/3 cup shortening (or unsalted butter, softened)
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5 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
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Oil, for frying (vegetable or canola oil works well)
Classic Glaze:
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2 cups powdered sugar
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1/4 cup milk
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions:
🥄 Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy. This means the yeast is alive and ready to make magic.
🥣 Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, sugar, salt, eggs, and shortening. Add the activated yeast mixture and stir well.
Gradually mix in the flour, one cup at a time. Once it gets too thick to stir, start kneading by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Knead for about 5–7 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky.
Pro Tip: If your dough is too sticky to handle, dust it lightly with flour, but try not to add too much or the doughnuts may turn out dense.
🌡️ Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
🍩 Step 4: Shape the Doughnuts
Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick.
Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (a large and a small one) to cut out your doughnut shapes. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut again.
Don’t forget those doughnut holes! You can fry and glaze them too.
⏱️ Step 5: Second Rise
Place the cut doughnuts on a floured tray or parchment paper. Cover loosely with a towel and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, until puffy.
🍳 Step 6: Fry the Doughnuts
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop in 2–3 doughnuts at a time, depending on the size of your pot.
Fry each side for about 1 minute, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined tray.
⚠️ Be careful not to overcrowd the oil—the temperature may drop and the doughnuts can absorb too much oil.
🍯 Step 7: Glaze ‘Em!
While the doughnuts are still warm, dip them into the glaze mixture (whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth). Let the glaze drip off slightly before placing the doughnuts on a wire rack to set.
🎉 Enjoy!
These homemade Krispy Kreme-style doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm, with that sweet glaze melting in your mouth. Serve with coffee, milk, or just on their own for pure bliss.
🔁 Optional Variations:
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Chocolate Glaze: Add cocoa powder to the glaze and top with sprinkles.
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Cinnamon Sugar: Skip the glaze and toss warm doughnuts in a mix of cinnamon and sugar.
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Filled Doughnuts: Skip the center hole and pipe in jam, custard, or Nutella after frying.
