New Delhi: Doughnuts are delectable pastries with a hole in the middle and are in a circular form. They are deep-fried to produce the ideal 'crunchy on the outside and soft inside' quality and come in a variety of sizes and forms, with some being filled with jelly or other mouthwatering flavours. Although making your own doughnuts takes a little bit of effort, the end product is a fantastic, hot, crisp delicacy. You can use pretty about any glazes, toppings, and fillings once you've mastered this fundamental recipe for a fluffy, yeasted doughnut.


Here are a few recipes that you can try at home and make your weekend event sweeter.


1. BISCOFF DOUGHNUT (By Chef Kripal, Impesto By Sodhis)


Ingredients:


For the doughnuts:



  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup milk

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Vegetable oil, for frying


For the Biscoff glaze:



  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons Biscoff spread

  • 2-3 tablespoons milk

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


For the Biscoff crumble:



  • 1/2 cup Biscoff cookies, crushed

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted


Method:



  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.

  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a large, deep saucepan to about 350°F (175°C).

  • Using a piping bag or a spoon, carefully drop dollops of the batter into the hot oil. Be cautious not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

  • Once the doughnuts are cooked, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

  • Prepare the Biscoff glaze by combining powdered sugar, Biscoff spread, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk; if it's too thin, add more powdered sugar.

  • Dip each doughnut into the Biscoff glaze, coating one side fully. Place the glazed doughnuts on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch any drips.

  • To make the Biscoff crumble, crush the Biscoff cookies into small pieces. In a separate bowl, mix the crushed cookies with melted butter until well coated.

  • Sprinkle the Biscoff crumble over the glazed side of the doughnuts while the glaze is still wet.

  • Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

  • Enjoy your delicious homemade Biscoff doughnuts!



2. CREAM CHEESE AND SCALLION DOUGHNUT (By Chef Shikha Sharma, Medley Bakers)


Ingredients:



  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup milk

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 large egg

  • Vegetable oil, for frying


For Stuffing:



  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 2 scallions, finely chopped


For the glaze:



  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Method:



  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

  • In a separate bowl, combine the milk, melted butter, and egg. Beat until well combined.

  • Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The dough will be sticky.

  • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it lightly until it comes together. Roll it out to about 1/2 inch thickness.

  • Using a round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough. Fold the dough shape. 

  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).

  • Carefully place a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil, frying until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar if needed.

  • Dip each doughnut into the glaze, coating it completely. Place the glazed doughnuts on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set.

  • In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and chopped scallions until well combined.

  • Cut the Doughnut from the middle and spread the stuffing evenly.


3. LEMON VANILLA SOURDOUGH DONUT (By- Chef Nandini Malhotra, CYK Hospitalities)


Ingredients:


For Starter:



  • 38g active sourdough starter white, 100% hydration

  • 38g water

  • 76g bread flour


For Main Dough:



  • 390 All-purpose flour 

  • 152g starter

  • 100g eggs (2no. Approx)

  • 128g whole milk cold

  • 75g sugar

  • 7g salt

  • 75g unsalted butter softened, cubed

  • Lemon Vanilla Curd

  • 200g whole milk

  • 1 vanilla bean pod or 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 60g sugar

  • 15g cornstarch

  • 4 egg yolks

  • pinch of salt

  • 25g unsalted butter

  • 10g Lemon zest


Other Ingredients:



  • 2-litre frying oil

  • 200 g sugar for coating


Method:


Starter:



  • Mix sourdough starter, water, and flour in a bowl.

  • Cover, and rise in a warm spot for 8-10 hours, until tripled in size.



Main Dough:



  • Add the flour, starter, eggs, whole milk, sugar, and salt to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.

  • Mix until just combined. Cover, and rest for 30 minutes.

  • Again, mix it for 5 minutes.

  • After 5 minutes, you can slowly start to add cubed, softened butter.

  • When all the butter is added, scrape down the sides of your bowl and continue mixing at medium speed for 15-25 minutes.

  • Do the window-pane test to check if your dough is ready.

  • Transfer the dough to a clean bowl, cover, and proof in a warm spot for 4-5 hours.

  • After 6 hours, place the dough in the fridge and cold-proof for 6-8 hours.



Lemon Vanilla Curd:



  • Start by rubbing the lemon zest in the sugar, until the lemon oil releases.

  • In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, lemon sugar, cornstarch, and salt.

  • Cut the vanilla bean pod in half (lengthwise) and scrape off the vanilla bean with a knife.

  • In a medium-sized pot, combine the milk and vanilla bean. Heat up over medium heat until you can see tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pot, almost to a boil.

  • Take the pot off the heat and slowly pour it over the egg mixture a little at a time while constantly whisking.

  • Strain the mixture into the pot & heat up over medium heat, still constantly whisking, until the curd is thick and shiny.

  • Remove from heat and mix in the butter. (If you're using vanilla extract, you want to mix it in now.)

  • Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap that is touching the entire surface of the cream. This is to prevent skin from forming on top of the pastry cream.

  • Cool to room temperature, then place it in the fridge.



Shaping And Final Proof:



  • Divide the dough into 15 equal pieces (60g each) and roll into seamless rounds.

  • Place the shaped doughnuts on baking trays lined with floured parchment paper.

  • Loosely cover the trays with plastic wrap.

  • Place the baking trays in the oven with the light turned on and the door slightly open until double in size.


Fry The Doughnuts:



  • Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed pot set over medium heat. Heat the oil to 180 °C. 

  • Carefully lower the doughnuts into the oil and fry them for about 2 minutes on each side. You want the top side of the dough pieces to hit the oil first.

  • Remove from oil with a metal slotted spoon and transfer to a cooling rack lined with paper towels. 

  • Toss the fried doughnuts in sugar while they're still warm.




Assembly:



  • Take your lemon vanilla curd and give it a good stir. Insert a small knife into the center of the cooled doughnuts to make a hole.

  • Fill each doughnut with vanilla pastry cream.

  • Grate fresh lemon zest to finish the donut & serve.