These homemade baked doughnuts are a delightful twist on the traditional fried treats, offering a lighter yet equally delicious alternative. Infused with a subtle hint of orange blossom and crafted from a simple dough that rises to perfection, these doughnuts are finished with an optional decadent glaze of melted chocolate mixed with coconut oil or a luscious melted speculoos spread. This recipe provides the pleasure of indulgent doughnuts without the guilt of frying.
Why You’ll Love This:
These doughnuts are sure to charm with their soft, airy texture and the aromatic hint of orange blossom. The option to add a rich chocolate or speculoos glaze allows for customization based on your taste preferences. Ideal for those who prefer a less greasy alternative to traditional fried doughnuts, this baked version is both satisfying and relatively easy to make, promising all the flavor with fewer calories.
Perfect Occasion:
Perfect for brunch, children’s parties, or as a delightful snack to brighten up any day, these doughnuts are versatile. They are particularly suitable for gatherings where you want to offer a homemade treat that impresses without requiring extensive preparation. Whether it’s a family weekend breakfast or a festive holiday morning, these doughnuts make any occasion special.
Decoration Tips:
After glazing the doughnuts, you can top them with a variety of toppings such as sprinkles, crushed nuts, or even small candies for a fun and festive look. If you’re using the chocolate glaze, consider a sprinkle of sea salt or drizzles of white chocolate for a sophisticated finish. For the speculoos glaze, a dusting of crushed speculoos cookies would enhance both the flavor and appearance.
Ingredients:
- 320g wheat flour
- 150ml milk
- 40g sugar
- 40g butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 10g dry yeast (or 20g fresh yeast)
- 1 tsp orange blossom water
- ½ tsp salt
- For the Glaze (optional):
- Chocolate and coconut oil, or
- Melted speculoos spread
Method:
- Prepare the Dough:
- Warm the milk slightly and dissolve the yeast in it. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine salt, flour, and sugar. Add the egg, yeast mixture, and orange blossom water and knead on medium speed for 5 minutes.
- Add the softened butter and continue kneading for another 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 2 hours.
- Shape the Doughnuts:
- Punch down the risen dough and form into 60g balls. Make a hole in the center of each ball, widening it to form the classic doughnut shape.
- Place the shaped doughnuts on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for an additional 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Bake:
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 10 minutes.
- If necessary, reshape the holes using the handle of a wooden spoon while the doughnuts are still warm.
- Glaze and Decorate:
- Melt the chocolate with coconut oil or melt the speculoos spread. Dip the top of each doughnut into the glaze and add toppings as desired.
Enjoy these deliciously light and fluffy baked doughnuts, perfect for a treat that combines traditional flavors with a modern, health-conscious approach!
