Are you also that donut lover who can be seen at every donut shop in Lahore? This must mean that you have made Dunkin donuts your second home then because we know by now, Dunkin is the supreme choice of donuts in all of Pakistan.
However, going to all the different donut shops can be tiring and also really expensive. With the given rise in inflation, one also has to cut down on the costs. So, here’s how you can make the perfect donuts at home but what you need to know is that you need a lot of time at home. This is the perfect weekend baking project and here’s why you need to try it out:
What To Know Before
There are some things that you must know before because you need to be mentally prepared before you take on this project. Before baking anything, you should do plenty of research so you don’t find yourself in the dark. These are the essential things you need to take note of when baking donuts at home.
Dough Is A Tough Place
Dough is a tough place and you need to perfect that first. You need to use yeast and properly let it bloom. This begins by adding the desired amount of sugar into lukewarm milk because sugar helps activate the yeast. Then you stir in the amount of yeast you need and cover it for 5-10 minutes. This will be done after that and you will see a frothy and foamy layer of bubbles on top of your yeast. This is when you know it is made! This is also how you know your yeast is alive.
After this, you stir in the other ingredients and once that is done and your dough is ready, get ready to do the dough test. This is when you press into the dough and if it bounces back, you have yourself a dough that is ready!
Let The Rise Complete
The rise is one of the most important parts in this entire process. The donut needs to rise two times, first when the dough needs to rise on its own and second, when you have shaped the donuts and then the donuts are supposed to rise. When the second rise is happening (both are for usually an hour), ensure your oil is getting heated!
Thermometer Is Important
Most people do not get a thermometer which is the first big mistake. You need a thermometer if you want to make donuts. Frying them for a short time means you need to control the oil temperature so they cook well from inside and are perfectly brown from the outside.
So a thermometer is important to help handle the heat and it can turn your donuts into a beautiful golden. The best temperature is in fact 180°C where it cooks well. You also need to keep an eye on the temperature repeatedly because it can change during the frying of the first batch and after your first batch is done so as to ensure the temperature does not go beyond that.
Donut Cutters
Most donut shops in Lahore do not use a donut cutter so you do not have to either! If you want to nail the donuts like dunkin donuts then you should just use a cookie cutter or a biscuit shaper.
Get The Glaze Right
You need to make the glaze in a wide bowl so you can have it dipped in easily. Drip the donuts in it while they are warm because the glaze sits better then. Moreover, you should also put them on a drying rack after they are glazed so they can dry without getting the glaze off. These few steps can make or break the entire donut process so don’t get it wrong.
Directions
Begin by greasing your bowl with cooking spray. In a microwave-safe bowl add milk which is lukewarm and set it aside for 40 seconds. Add your sugar and yeast and let it remain for 5-10 minutes.
In another medium bowl, mix your flour and salt and the remaining sugar, butter and eggs with vanilla with a wooden spoon. You mix your yeast mixture with this one and then you continue mixing the mixture until it forms into a rough-looking and sticky dough. Then transfer this from the bowl to a surface that is floured and continue kneading with the right amount of flour (a tablespoon or more) while you knead it to make it less sticky.
Then you need to make a ball with this dough, oil it slightly and place it into a bowl in which it can rise easily. You need to let this sit in front of a warm source or in a warm space to let it double in size. Give it one hour.
Now you can line a baking tray with parchment on which you put your dough. You need to roll it out into 1.5 cm thick rectangle. Proceed with using a doughnut cutter or biscuit cutters to create your donuts at this stage. Bring all the scraps together and place all the donuts and the donut hols onto the tray. Again cover with a dish towel and let it rise in the same warm place for about 1 hour again or until they start looking like the donuts you want to have.
Make the glaze in a large bowl. You simply need to whisk together milk, icing sugar, and vanilla until a paste is formed and set this aside. Then you can start heating the oil to 180°C (160ºC fan). Cook the donuts in equal batches that do not cluster in your dish. They should take 1 minute on each side. Transfer on a paper towel dish, dip in glaze and then dry on a rack!
Make sure the donuts do not get properly cold after this because that can alter the taste a little. The best donut shop in Lahore serves the donuts while they’re hot and the glaze is fresh. Once you perfect this recipe, your own donuts will be just like the donut shop ones!
