Baked Yeast Doughnuts

Light, airy, and irresistibly soft, these Baked Yeast Doughnuts offer all the indulgence of classic doughnuts without the guilt of frying. Made with a tender yeast dough that’s enriched with milk, butter, and vanilla for a rich, buttery flavor, these doughnuts are baked to golden perfection for a healthier alternative. The recipe features an easy-to-follow process, including a double proofing technique to achieve the perfect fluffy texture. To finish, they’re brushed with melted butter and coated in a sparkling layer of sugar or a cozy cinnamon-sugar mix, making every bite a delightful treat. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime snack, these oven-baked doughnuts are a delicious homemade twist on a bakery favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 3.25 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 cup Whole milk
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons Melted butter
• 0.5 cup Sugar (for coating)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon (optional, for coating)

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until it is lukewarm (about 100-110°F). Avoid overheating as it may kill the yeast.

Step 2

Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the active dry yeast over it. Let it sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast becomes frothy.

Step 3

Add the granulated sugar, salt, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Gradually add the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 5

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 6

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 7

Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.

Step 8

Using a doughnut cutter (or a round cookie cutter and a smaller cutter for the center), cut out doughnut shapes. Re-roll the scraps and cut out more doughnuts as needed.

Step 9

Place the doughnut shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until they are puffy.

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 11

Bake the doughnuts in the preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown. Avoid overbaking to ensure they remain soft.

Step 12

Remove the doughnuts from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

Step 13

Brush the tops of the warm doughnuts with melted butter and toss them in a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon (or just sugar, if preferred) until well-coated.

Step 14

Serve the baked yeast doughnuts warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	959.6 grams (959.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2970

Total Fat 92.10g	118%
Saturated Fat 49.80g	249%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.20g
Cholesterol 436mg	145%
Sodium 1404mg	61%
Total Carbohydrate 483.10g	176%
Dietary Fiber 13.40g	48%
Total Sugars 181.60g
Protein 58.30g	117%

Vitamin D 177IU	885%
Calcium 427mg	33%
Iron 20mg	109%
Potassium 1038mg	22%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.7%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 64.5%