Soft Fluffy Sugar Donuts 

by

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 3 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter or oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For frying

  • vegetable oil (for deep frying)

For coating

  • 1 cup sugar
  • optional: cinnamon or powdered sugar

## Why These Donuts Are So Soft

The secret to ultra-soft donuts is yeast dough.

Yeast creates:

  • air bubbles
  • light texture
  • fluffy interior
  • that classic donut chew

Milk + butter make the dough rich and tender.

When fried quickly at the right temperature, the outside crisps while the inside stays cloud-soft.

It’s honestly the perfect texture combo.

## Activating the Yeast

If using instant yeast, you can mix directly.

If using active dry yeast:

  1. Mix yeast with warm milk (not hot!)
  2. Add 1 teaspoon sugar
  3. Let sit 5–10 minutes

It should become foamy.

Foam = yeast alive

No foam = replace yeast

This step guarantees good rising.

## Mixing the Dough

In a large bowl combine:

  • flour
  • sugar
  • salt
  • yeast

Then add:

  • warm milk
  • egg
  • melted butter
  • vanilla

Mix until dough forms.

It will look sticky at first — that’s normal.

Don’t add too much flour or donuts become heavy.

## Kneading for Perfect Texture

Knead for about 8–10 minutes.

By hand:

Stretch and fold repeatedly.

Or mixer:

Use dough hook.

Dough should become:

  • soft
  • smooth
  • slightly tacky
  • elastic

If you press it, it should bounce back slowly.

This step develops gluten which makes donuts fluffy.

Don’t skip.

## First Rise

Place dough in lightly oiled bowl.

Cover with towel or plastic wrap.

Let rise in warm place 1–1.5 hours.

It should double in size.

This is when the magic happens.

Yeast creates air → dough becomes airy → soft donuts later.

## Shaping the Donuts

After rising:

Punch down gently to remove extra air.

Roll dough about 1–1.5 cm thick.

Cut shapes using:

  • round cutter
  • glass
  • or knife for rectangles

You can make:

  • circles
  • squares
  • pillows
  • rings

Like your picture, simple rounds work perfectly.

Place pieces on tray.

Cover and rest 20–30 minutes.

This second rise makes them extra fluffy.

## Heating the Oil Correctly

This is VERY important.

Heat oil to 170–175°C (340°F).

Too hot:

Burns outside, raw inside

Too cold:

Soaks oil, greasy donuts

Test:

Drop small dough piece — should bubble gently and float.

Perfect temperature = even golden color.

## Frying the Donuts

Carefully place 2–3 donuts at a time.

Don’t overcrowd.

Fry 1–2 minutes each side.

Flip when golden brown.

They should puff beautifully.

Remove with slotted spoon.

Place on paper towels to drain.

Kitchen will smell AMAZING at this point 😍

## Coating in Sugar

While still warm, roll donuts in sugar.

Warm surface helps sugar stick perfectly.

Optional:

  • cinnamon sugar
  • powdered sugar
  • honey drizzle
  • chocolate glaze

Classic sugar coating never fails though.

Simple and nostalgic.

## Texture You Should Get

Perfect donuts should be:

Outside:

  • golden
  • lightly crisp
  • thin crust

Inside:

  • airy
  • soft
  • fluffy
  • melt-in-mouth

Not dense or heavy.

If you tear one open, you should see soft fluffy strands.

That’s donut heaven.

## Flavor Variations

You can easily customize:

Chocolate:

Fill with Nutella

Jam:

Strawberry or apricot filling

Cream:

Custard or pastry cream

Cinnamon:

Add cinnamon sugar

Glazed:

Simple sugar glaze drizzle

Savory:

Skip sugar and stuff with cheese

So many options!

## Serving Ideas

Best served:

  • warm
  • fresh
  • same day

Pair with:

  • coffee
  • mint tea
  • milk
  • hot chocolate

Perfect for:

  • breakfast
  • brunch
  • Ramadan ftour
  • kids snacks
  • parties

Honestly impossible to eat just one.

Dangerously addictive 😄

## Storage Tips

Same day = best texture.

But you can:

Room temp:

  • airtight container
  • 1–2 days

Reheat:

  • 10 seconds microwave
    or
  • 3 minutes oven

Freezing:

Freeze plain donuts

Reheat before coating

## Pro Tips for Perfect Donuts

✔ Don’t add too much flour

✔ Knead well

✔ Let rise fully

✔ Fry at correct temperature

✔ Don’t overcrowd oil

✔ Coat while warm

Bonus trick:

Add 1 tablespoon milk powder to dough for extra softness.

## Why Homemade Donuts Beat Store-Bought

Homemade donuts are:

  • fresher
  • softer
  • cheaper
  • customizable
  • preservative-free
  • smell incredible

Plus… eating one hot straight from the fryer?

Store-bought can’t compete.

## Final Thoughts

These fluffy sugar donuts are pure comfort food. Simple ingredients, classic flavor, and that soft pillow texture that makes you smile instantly. They remind you of bakeries, childhood snacks, and cozy mornings.

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