Donut

Donuts have been a favourite treat for centuries. They are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed by all ages and cultures, making them the perfect snack or dessert.

Brief History and Origin

Donuts originated in Ancient Greece, where they were known as “olykoek” or “oily cakes”. These early versions of donuts were made with fried dough and honey and served at festivals and during religious ceremonies. The first written record of olykoek dates back to around 500 BCE.

Dutch settlers created the modern-day doughnut in America in the early 19th century and brought their version of olykoek with them when they immigrated to New England. These settlers called their version “doughnuts” or “dough nuts” because they were made from a mixture of flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, yeast and salt that was shaped into rings before being fried in hot fat or oil.

In 1847 an American baker named Hanson Gregory claimed to have invented the ring-shaped donut when he punched a hole in the middle of a doughnut so that it would cook more evenly. This innovation allowed for uniform cooking times, which made it easier to make large batches of donuts quickly.

By the late 19th century, donuts had become popular throughout America thanks to their portability, convenience, and delicious taste. During World War I, American soldiers stationed overseas took boxes of freshly baked donuts with them on their travels which helped spread the popularity of this iconic snack even further around the world.

Donut – The Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Total time: 45 mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

500g all-purpose flour
60g white sugar
15g active dry yeast
4 eggs
350 ml lukewarm milk
½ lemon zest
2 tsp salt
125g softened butter
2 liters sunflower oil, for frying
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Confectioner’s sugar, for tossing

Instructions

Pour water into a bowl, add yeast, mix well and leave for 10 minutes until foamy.
Add sugar, eggs, salt, milk, 300g flour and yeasty liquid in a bowl, and mix using an electric mixer at low speed until everything is well combined.
Add remaining flour and mix until dough is no longer sticky; knead for 5 minutes until elastic and smooth. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it warmly until the volume doubles.
When ready, transfer the dough to a flour-dusted working surface and roll using a rolling pin until ½” thick. Cut the dough using a dough cutter, cover again and leave until double in volume.
In the meantime, add butter to a saucepan over medium heat. When butter melts, add vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar; stir until consistent.
Then remove from heat and add warm water until the mixture becomes thin.
Pour oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil temperature reaches 175 degrees C, add doughnuts and cook each side until the colour turns golden brown.
When ready, remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a plate lined with absorbent paper until slightly cool. Then dip into the sugar glaze and shake to remove excess glaze; transfer to the wire rack until serving.

Popular variations

Here are a few ways you can change this basic recipe to adjust it to your liking:

Red Velvet Donuts: These are soft yet bounce as a donut with the creamy fluffy cream cheese topping. It will taste just like red velvet cake, but you will love the donut texture.
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: The baked Cinnamon Sugar donuts are moist and has distinct spiced flavor from the cinnamon. It is perfect for festive season.
Baked Donuts Filled with Jelly: These jelly donut holes are fluffy, air and so delicious. Especially the jelly filling burst out with fruity flavors and melt-in-mouth texture.
Chocolate Cake Donut: Chocolate cake donuts are perfect for chocolate cake lovers. It is fluffy, moist and the best part is these will satisfy your craving for both cake and donuts!
Boston Cream Donuts: Boston Cream Donuts are classic ones. They are fluffy, light and with the smooth Boston cream oozing out with chocolate glaze is perfect and delicious.