If you’ve ever had a disaster in the kitchen, you know how daunting it can be to try a recipe again. I remember my first attempt at making doughnuts as a teenager—it was a total mess.
The dough was sticky, the oil wasn’t hot enough, and the results were completely inedible. It took me years to try deep frying again, but I’m so glad I did! This recipe is much simpler and the results are fantastic. It uses baking powder instead of yeast, making it a no-fuss treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack.
The doughnuts are best eaten warm and dipped in homemade strawberry sauce, and trust me, they taste incredible. Miss 16 even declared they were better than store-bought jam doughnuts!
Ingredients for Doughnuts:
- 50 g butter
- 125 ml milk
- 1.5 litres sunflower oil (for frying)
- 250 g plain flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 100 g caster sugar
Ingredients for Strawberry Sauce:
- 200 g strawberries
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
- Zest of ½ orange or tangelo
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
Start by melting the butter, milk, and 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. While that’s melting, combine the plain flour, baking powder, sea salt, and 50g of sugar in a medium-sized bowl.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the warm milk mixture. Use a knife to stir everything together until you have a soft, sticky dough.
2. Heat the Oil:
In a medium-sized deep saucepan, heat the remaining sunflower oil until it reaches 180°C. A kitchen thermometer is incredibly helpful to make sure the oil is at the right temperature.
If you don’t have one, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough in it. If it sizzles and rises to the surface quickly, the oil is ready. Be careful not to let the oil get too hot, as it can burn the doughnuts.
3. Shape and Fry the Doughnuts:
Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a walnut in its shell. Carefully lower six balls at a time into the hot oil using a slotted spoon. Fry them for 3-4 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown.
Once done, transfer the doughnuts to a double layer of paper towels to drain the excess oil. Let them cool for a few minutes.
4. Coat in Sugar:
While the doughnuts are still warm, gently roll them in the remaining caster sugar until they are finely coated.
5. Make the Strawberry Sauce:
To prepare the sauce, blend the strawberries, icing sugar, and orange or tangelo zest together in a small bowl. The result should be a slightly chunky, delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with the doughnuts.
6. Serve:
Serve the warm doughnuts with the strawberry sauce on the side for dipping. You can also drizzle the sauce over the doughnuts for extra flavor. They’re so delicious, you won’t want to stop eating!
These homemade doughnuts are not only easy to make, but they’re a perfect treat for any occasion. The combination of the warm, soft doughnuts and the sweet, fruity strawberry sauce is simply irresistible.
You can also try experimenting with other dips like rich chocolate sauce or tangy lemon curd. Either way, these doughnuts will definitely impress your friends and family!
FAQs
Can I use a different type of fruit for the sauce?
Yes, you can use other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Just blend them with some icing sugar and zest for a refreshing, fruity sauce.
