Master Sandra Mahut’s Donut Dough recipe and you will be able to discover a world of donuts.
Donut Dough Recipe
Makes 8-10 donuts
Prep 3 1⁄2 hours
Ingredients:
9 g (1⁄4 oz) instant yeast
165 ml (51⁄2 fl oz) warm milk
50 g (13⁄4 oz) white sugar
1 egg
35 g (11⁄4 oz) softened butter, diced
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
370 g (21⁄2 cups) strong bread flour (T55, Type O or plain (all-purpose) flour)
1 litre (4 cups) frying oil
Method:
In a small bowl, combine the yeast with the warm milk. Whisk, then let rest for 10 minutes, or until foamy on top.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeasty milk mixture, sugar, egg, softened butter, vanilla, salt and lastly, flour. Using the dough hook, mix on medium speed for about 7 minutes. The dough should be soft and homogeneous.
Remove the dough from the stand mixer and work it by hand on a lightly floured work surface for 1 minute. Form the dough into a neat ball and place in a large, clean bowl. Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for 11⁄2 hours.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, then use a rolling pin to roll it out on a lightly floured work surface. Cut out circles using a 10 cm (4 in) diameter cookie cutter, then use a 1.5 cm (1⁄2 in) cookie cutter to cut out a second circle in the centre of each.
Place each donut on a small square of baking paper and lay them on a tray. Cover and leave to rise for 1 1⁄2 hours.
Heat the frying oil in a deep-fryer, large frying pan or wok until it reaches 190°C (375°F). With the square of baking paper still attached, place each donut, paper side down, into the oil. Lifting the donuts by holding the square of baking paper will help them keep their shape. Let them cook for 1 minute then remove the paper and turn them over gradually with tongs, until they are golden brown. Remove and place on paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Make sure to keep the oil at 190°C (375°F) throughout the frying process.
The donuts are now ready!
Try these recipes using this Donut Dough
Pistachio Donuts Recipe – recipe here
Apple Crumble Donuts – recipe here
Recipe extract from Donuts by Sandra Mahut, published by Smith Street Books, AUD$19.99/NZD$21.99, published 4 February 2025.
