Indulge in the homemade charm of these Sugar Donuts, crafted with a delightful twist using whole milk and Greek yogurt instead of traditional buttermilk. This recipe creates soft, fluffy donuts that are lightly sweetened and irresistibly tender, offering a perfect treat for any time of day. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice, these donuts provide a satisfying baking project with delicious results. Fried to golden perfection and rolled in sugar, they bring a comforting, nostalgic taste to your kitchen.
Why You'll Love This: These donuts stand out due to their exceptional texture and subtle tang, thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt. The recipe is versatile, allowing for both fried and baked options to suit different preferences and health considerations. The use of fresh yeast in the dough ensures that these donuts are light and airy, with a delightful chewiness that's just right. They're perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without being overly indulgent, and the hands-on process of making them adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your baking experience.
Perfect Occasion: These sugar donuts are fantastic for a wide range of occasions. Serve them at a weekend brunch to delight your family and friends, or make them for a special treat at a children's party—where their sweet, sugary coating will surely be a hit. They're also ideal for festive holidays like Christmas or Easter, providing a homemade touch to your celebratory meals. Additionally, these donuts can be a fun project for a rainy day, filling your home with the warm aromas of yeast and vanilla.
Decoration Tips: To enhance these donuts' visual appeal, consider a variety of toppings aside from granulated sugar. For those who enjoy a bit more decadence, a chocolate or vanilla glaze can be drizzled over the tops. Sprinkles, toasted coconut, or crushed nuts can also be added for texture and flavor. If serving at a gathering, you might display them on a tiered cake stand for an eye-catching dessert table centerpiece.
Ingredients
- Dough Ingredients:
- 350g all-purpose flour
- 150g whole milk
- 50g natural Greek yogurt
- 1 small egg (40g)
- 8g fresh yeast
- 40g sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 30g soft butter (or 25g vegetable oil)
- For Coating:
- Extra granulated sugar
- Instructions:
- Dough Preparation:
- Dissolve yeast in a mixture of warm milk and yogurt. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugars, salt, and egg. Gradually pour in the milk mixture and start mixing.
- Once the dough starts to form, knead in the soft butter until fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rest covered on the countertop for 15 minutes, then perform a few stretch and folds, form into a ball, cover, and let rise in a turned-off oven with the light on until doubled in size, about 2.5 hours.
- Shape and Proof:
- Roll out the dough to 1.5 cm thickness, cut out donut shapes, and form balls from the scraps.
- Place on individual parchment paper pieces and let rise until doubled, about 1.5 hours, in the turned-off oven.
- Cook:
- For frying: Fry in hot oil until golden, then roll in sugar.
- For baking: Bake at 180°C (356°F) for 20-22 minutes until lightly golden, then brush with water or oil and roll in sugar.
- Filling:
- Optionally, fill the donut holes or "bombettes" with your choice of cream, chocolate spread, jam, or pistachio cream using a pastry bag with a fine tip.
- Dough Preparation:
Enjoy these delightful Homemade Sugar Donuts, a simple yet satisfying treat that brings the joy of baking and the comfort of sweet indulgence to your table. Whether fried or baked, they're sure to be a hit!