Ingredients
- 475 grams bread flour
- 60 grams sugar
- 90 mL water
- 150 mL milk
- 10 mL white vinegar
- 1 egg
- 60 grams butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons yeast
- sugar for coating the donuts
- oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Place the water (lukewarm) in a cup and add the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes until the yeast starts to foam.
- Add the flour, salt and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast mixture, along with the butter, milk, egg and vinegar. Mix until a dough forms and then knead for about 5 minutes. Cover and set aside for an hour, until doubled in size.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1/2". Use a 1" round cutter to cut out balls of dough.
- Place each ball onto a tray lined with baking paper. Repeat until all the dough is used.
- Place the tray into the oven, along with a container of boiling water. Leave for another 30 minutes to rise.
- Heat enough oil in a saucepan to be able to deep fry the donuts. Heat the oil to 180 °C.
- Drop the donuts into the oil, 1 or 2 at a time. As soon as the turn golden, turn them over. Remove once both sides are cooked. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel while you cook the remaining donuts.
- When cooled, roll each donut in sugar to coat evenly.
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about biting into a warm, sugary donut, and these donut balls are no exception. Whether you’re serving them as a sweet treat for brunch, a dessert, or just a little indulgence with your afternoon coffee, these fluffy, golden donut balls are guaranteed to hit the spot. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, they’re surprisingly easy to prepare and will fill your kitchen with the comforting aroma of freshly fried dough. Let’s dive into how to make these irresistible little bites!
Activating the Yeast and Preparing the Dough
The journey to perfect donut balls starts with activating the yeast, a crucial step that helps achieve that soft, airy texture. Begin by placing lukewarm water in a cup, adding the yeast and a pinch of sugar, and setting it aside for about five minutes until it starts to foam. This foaming action tells you that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. In a stand mixer, combine the bread flour, salt, and sugar, then add the activated yeast mixture, along with melted butter, milk, egg, and a splash of vinegar. The vinegar may seem unusual, but it adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and enhances the dough’s tenderness.
Mix everything together until a dough forms, then knead it for about five minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for an hour until it doubles in size, a satisfying indication that the yeast is doing its job.
Shaping the Dough Balls
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape the donut balls. Lightly knead the dough on a floured surface, then roll it out to about half an inch thick. Using a 1-inch round cutter, cut out small dough balls, aiming for uniform size to ensure even frying later on.
Place each ball on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then let them rise once more in a warm environment.
A simple trick is to place the tray in the oven with a container of boiling water, which creates the perfect warm and humid environment for the dough to rise. After about 30 minutes, your dough balls should be puffed and ready to fry.
Frying and Coating the Donut Balls
With the dough balls ready, the final step is to fry them to golden perfection. Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 180°C, ensuring it’s hot enough to cook the donuts evenly without absorbing too much oil. Fry the donut balls in small batches, turning them over as soon as they turn golden on one side.
Once both sides are beautifully golden and crisp, remove them from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. After they’ve cooled slightly, roll each donut in sugar, ensuring they’re generously coated in a sweet, sparkling layer.
The result is a batch of light, fluffy donut balls that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
Serving Your Donut Balls
Serve your donut balls piled high on a platter for a fun, shareable treat. For an extra touch, pair them with dipping sauces like melted chocolate, caramel, or a tangy raspberry coulis. You can also serve them with whipped cream and a spoonful of jam, such as strawberry or raspberry, for a classic combination. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of honey adds a simple yet delicious finishing touch.
However you serve them, these donut balls are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
