Dive into the world of homemade donuts with this delightful recipe that yields about twenty fluffy, soft donuts topped with a rich, silky caramel glaze. Perfect for any occasion, these donuts combine the classic comfort of a freshly fried treat with the decadence of caramel, enhanced with a touch of cocoa and sugar for extra indulgence. Follow this step-by-step guide to create donuts that are sure to impress at gatherings, serve as a special treat for family breakfasts, or simply satisfy your sweet tooth.
Why You’ll Love This:
These donuts are not only delicious but also a joy to make. The process of kneading, shaping, and frying the dough offers a wonderfully hands-on baking experience. The resulting donuts are irresistibly soft and airy, with a delightful yeasty flavor that homemade donuts are known for. The caramel glaze, made with real butter and cream, provides a rich finish that perfectly complements the light texture of the donuts. Each bite is a perfect balance of fluffy dough and creamy topping.
Perfect Occasion:
These donuts are fantastic for weekend brunches, family gatherings, or as a treat to bring to the office. They’re particularly popular for celebrations like birthdays or holidays, where a sweet, shareable treat is appreciated. The homemade aspect also makes them a thoughtful gift or a special treat for children’s parties.
Decoration Tips:
For a festive touch, sprinkle the freshly glazed donuts with toppings such as toasted nuts, coconut flakes, or even colorful sprinkles. For an elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar over the caramel glaze can enhance the visual appeal. Presenting these donuts on a beautiful serving tray or cake stand can also elevate your setup, making them even more enticing.
Ingredients:
For the Donuts:
- 500g flour
- 2 eggs
- 220g milk
- 50g sugar
- 60g butter, room temperature
- 20g fresh yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Glaze:
- 100g white sugar
- 40g half-salted butter
- 200ml whole cream
For the Topping:
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 3 tbsp sugar
- Prepare the Dough:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, eggs, milk, sugar, yeast, and salt. Knead for 10 minutes.
- Add the butter and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in volume.
- Shape the Donuts:
- Once risen, divide the dough into equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round, place on a floured surface, cover, and let rise again for 1 to 2 hours.
- Make the Caramel Glaze:
- In a saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat. Cook without stirring until it caramelizes.
- Add the butter and stir until combined.
- Warm the cream in the microwave for a few seconds, then carefully pour it into the caramel mixture.
- Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, transfer to a container, and cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool to room temperature.
- Fry the Donuts:
- Fry the risen donut dough in hot oil until golden brown on each side. Remove and let drain on paper towels.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Mix the cocoa and sugar in a small bowl. Dip each donut into the caramel glaze, then sprinkle with the cocoa and sugar mixture.
- Allow the glaze to set slightly before serving.
Enjoy your Homemade Donuts with a decadent caramel glaze, perfect for any gathering or as a special treat to enjoy anytime!
