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Alton Brown's Yeast Doughnuts Recipe

Recreate Alton Brown's legendary yeast doughnuts! This Good Eats recipe delivers perfectly fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts. A kitchen scale is essential for measuring the flour accurately. Get ready for a delightful treat – these are worth the wait!

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 140 mins
Calories 184.7 kcal
Protein 10g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Alton Brown's Yeast Doughnuts 92

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Alton Brown's Yeast Doughnuts

  • 1 1/2 cups whole Milk
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Shortening
  • 1 (1/4 ounce) package Instant Yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons Instant Yeast
  • 1/4 cup Warm Water
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated Nutmeg
  • 4 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 3-4 cups Peanut Oil, for frying

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How to Make Alton Brown's Yeast Doughnuts

  1. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm (around 105-115°F).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the warmed milk and shortening; set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
  4. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, sugar, salt, and nutmeg to the milk mixture. Whisk until combined.
  5. Gradually add 2 cups of flour using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.
  6. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes until well combined.
  7. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour, mixing on low speed, then increase speed to medium and beat until dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl (about 3-4 minutes).
  8. Switch to the dough hook, and knead for 2-3 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  9. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  10. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
  11. Roll out the dough to 3/8-inch thickness.
  12. Cut out doughnuts using a 2 1/2-inch cutter and a 7/8-inch cutter for the center hole.
  13. Place doughnuts on a lightly floured baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rise for 30 minutes.
  14. While the doughnuts are rising, heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 365°F (185°C).
  15. Carefully fry 3-4 doughnuts at a time for about 1 minute per side, or until golden brown.
  16. Remove doughnuts with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
  17. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before glazing (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

7 g

Sugar

10g

Fat

8g

Carbs

9g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Breakfast & Brunch Sweets & Sides Desserts American Vegetarian Baking

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Time To Make Course Preparation Occasion For Large Groups Healthy Breads Breakfast Holiday Event Dietary Hanukkah Brunch Taste Mood Sweet Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less