How to Make Donuts Two Ways: Baked Doughnuts and Fried Doughnuts

 Baking with Paityn is always lots of fun.  She first came on our show when she was 10, and now, 3 years later, she’s a wonderful teenager.   

Making homemade donuts is surprisingly easy- if you cheat with the fried way that is.  I could have messed around with a homemade donut recipe that would fry up nicely for you, but then I would have had to have used yeast.  Anyone who reads this blog knows I’m scared of yeast.  I failed at using once as a kid while learning to bake, and I’ve been scared to use it ever since! 

Homemade Baked Donuts

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, sifted

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup whole milk

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease donut pan.

2. In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg and sugar. Then add milk, oil, and vanilla extract; mixing until well combined. Gently stir in the flour mixture, whisking until there are no lumps.

4. Carefully fill each donut indention 3/4 full.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the donut comes out clean. Place donuts on a cooling rack and cool completely.

5. Prepare glaze if desired (see below)

Donut Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (melted)

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups icing sugar

Procedure:

1. In a small bowl whisk together melted butter, milk, corn syrup and vanilla extract. Add icing sugar, whisking until smooth.

2. Dip the top of each donut into the icing and transfer to a wire rack and let set for 5 minutes. Serve immediately, or donuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but are best served fresh.

Easy Fried Donuts

Ingredients:

• Prepared Biscuit dough (Pillsbury)

• Vegetable Oil (for frying)

Procedure:

1. Heat oil over medium heat in a saucepan until 325F.

2. Cover a cooling rack with paper towel.

3. Open biscuit dough and combine 2 biscuit sections together to form one.

4. Roll dough gently into a disc and cut out a small round circle from the center.  

5. When oil is heated, gently place donut (and holes) into the oil.  Cook for 60 seconds on one side, then turn.  Cook for 45 seconds on the second size. Remove from oil and place on paper towel.  Repeat for remaining donuts.  

6. Prepare glaze if desired.  Dip the top of each donut into the icing and transfer to a wire rack and let set for 5 minutes. Serve immediately, or donuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but are best served fresh.

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