How to Make Donuts at Home
If you’re in need of a sweet treat for breakfast or dessert, try this easy-to make-recipe for DIY donuts, complete with three fun decorative topping options.
What you need:
- Large pot
- Peanut oil
- 2 cans large buttermilk biscuits
- 1-1½-in. circular cookie cutter
- Paper towels
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ c. sugar
- 2 c. powdered sugar
- 5 tbsp. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ c. cocoa powder
- Colored sprinkles
- Lay out the biscuits. With a small, circular cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit.
- Heat 2 cups of peanut oil in a large pot. Add 3 to 4 biscuits to the oil, and fry until golden. Once golden, flip them with tongs or a spatula to fry the other side. Each side should take 30-45 seconds once the oil is hot, so keep an eye on them.
- Use a spatula or tongs to remove the donuts from the pot; use paper towels to drain the excess oil. Continue until you’ve fried all the donuts. (You can also make donut holes by frying the centers of the biscuits you initially cut out.)
Once your donuts are dry, you’re ready to decorate. Follow one or all three of the following recipes to deliciously dress your donuts!
- Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: In a bowl, stir together the cinnamon and sugar. Drop a donut into the bowl and flip it a few times to cover it with cinnamon-sugar.
- Vanilla-Frosted Donuts With Sprinkles: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to make vanilla icing. Dip one side of the donut into the vanilla icing. As you remove the donut from the bowl, allow any excess icing to drizzle off. Set the donut aside and add sprinkles.
- Chocolate + Vanilla-Frosted Donuts: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, ¼ cup of cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons of milk to make chocolate icing. If you haven’t made vanilla icing yet, follow the instructions above. Dip one side of the donut into the chocolate icing and set aside. Dip a fork into the vanilla icing and drizzle it over the chocolate.