Homemade Fresh Strawberry Donuts: The Ultimate Recipe for Fluffy, Fried Perfection
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh, homemade donut, and these **fresh strawberry donuts** take that experience to a whole new level. Imagine a light, airy yeast dough, generously studded with sweet strawberry chunks, fried to a golden crisp, and then dipped into a luscious homemade strawberry glaze. Finally, a sprinkle of fresh strawberry bits completes this irresistible treat. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert, these fluffy strawberry donuts are sure to become a family favorite, especially when paired with a warm cup of coffee or a soothing tea.
Why Homemade Donuts Are Always the Best Choice
While store-bought donuts offer convenience, nothing compares to the freshness and flavor of donuts made from scratch. The process of making homemade donuts, especially yeast-raised ones, is incredibly rewarding. You get to control the ingredients, ensuring no artificial flavors or preservatives, and the aroma filling your kitchen as they fry is simply divine. This recipe specifically focuses on **fried strawberry donuts**, providing that classic, melt-in-your-mouth texture that baked donuts, while easier, just can’t replicate. The slightly crispy exterior yielding to a soft, tender interior packed with real fruit flavor is truly unparalleled.
The Secret to Perfect Fried Donuts: Our No-Fail Yeast Dough
The foundation of any great donut is its dough, and this recipe uses a tried-and-true yeast dough base that has proven to be a winner every single time. It’s the same versatile dough I’ve successfully used for Nutella stuffed donuts and jelly donuts, which speaks volumes about its reliability and deliciousness. This dough is designed to be forgiving, making it perfect for both seasoned bakers and those new to working with yeast. Its consistent texture and rise ensure beautifully puffy donuts that are never dense or dry. Integrating fresh strawberries directly into the dough infuses every bite with vibrant fruit flavor, making these truly **fresh strawberry donuts** from the inside out.
Creating this dough is simpler than you might think, involving just a few key steps that will guide you to donut perfection. From activating the yeast to the final rise, each stage contributes to the light and airy texture that defines an exceptional fried donut. This detailed guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your success.
Essential Ingredients for Your Fresh Strawberry Donuts
To embark on your journey to creating these spectacular **homemade strawberry donuts**, gather these simple yet essential ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor:
- **Dry Active Yeast:** The leavening agent that makes your donuts light and fluffy. Ensure it’s active for a good rise.
- **Warm Water:** Essential for activating the yeast. Not too hot, not too cold.
- **Milk:** Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
- **Granulated Sugar:** Sweetens the dough and aids in yeast activation.
- **Salt:** Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- **Melted Shortening:** Contributes to a tender crumb and light texture. You can substitute with unsalted butter for a richer flavor, though shortening often gives a lighter result in fried goods.
- **Large Eggs:** Provide structure, richness, and help bind the dough.
- **All-Purpose Flour:** The primary structural component of your dough. Measure accurately for best results.
- **Fresh Strawberries:** The star of the show! Finely chopped for even distribution and burst of flavor.
- **Strawberry Preserves:** Used in the glaze for an intense strawberry flavor and beautiful color.
- **Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar):** The base for your smooth, sweet glaze.
Crafting Your Own Fresh Strawberry Donuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making **fried strawberry donuts** from scratch might seem intimidating, but with this detailed guide, you’ll find it a thoroughly enjoyable process. Follow these steps carefully for the best results:
Step 1: Activating the Yeast and Preparing the Dough
Start by activating your yeast. In a large bowl, combine the warm water and sprinkle the dry active yeast over it. Let it sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes. You’ll know the yeast is active and ready when it becomes foamy on the surface – this indicates it’s alive and ready to make your donuts rise! Once foamy, add the melted shortening, milk, granulated sugar, salt, and eggs. Mix these wet ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Next, incorporate the finely chopped fresh strawberries and about half of the all-purpose flour. Mix again until everything is just incorporated. Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. The goal is a dough that is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky to the touch. Place this beautiful dough ball into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for approximately 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Rolling Out and Cutting the Dough
Once your dough has completed its first rise, gently punch it down to release the air. Lightly flour your working surface to prevent sticking, then turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough gently for 1-2 minutes; this helps develop gluten and creates a smoother texture. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out evenly to about 1/2-inch thick. Aim for a rectangular shape, roughly 9×13 inches. Now comes the fun part: cutting out your donuts! Use a donut cutter for classic shapes, or if you don’t have one, a round drinking glass can cut the outer circles, and a smaller round cutter (like a bottle cap or a pastry tip) can create the center holes. Carefully transfer the donut cutouts to a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between each.
Step 3: Second Rise and Preparing the Glaze
Cover the donut cutouts loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let them rise for another 45 minutes. This second rise is crucial for achieving that characteristic light and airy texture of a perfect **fried yeast donut**. While your donuts are rising, it’s the ideal time to prepare the delectable strawberry glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, strawberry preserves, and milk until smooth and free of lumps. Adjust the milk quantity slightly if needed to reach your desired consistency – thick enough to coat, but thin enough to drip. Set this vibrant pink glaze aside, ready for dipping your freshly fried treats.
Step 4: Frying to Golden Perfection
As the second rise concludes, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to approximately 350°F (175°C). Using a deep-fry thermometer is highly recommended to maintain the correct temperature; too low, and your donuts will be greasy; too high, and they’ll brown too quickly on the outside, leaving the inside raw. Carefully lower 2-3 donuts into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are beautifully golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or spider to flip them and remove them from the oil. Place the fried donuts on a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain any excess oil.
Step 5: Glazing and Garnish
Once the donuts are slightly cooled but still warm (this helps the glaze adhere beautifully), it’s time to glaze! Dip one side of each donut into the prepared strawberry glaze, letting any excess drip off before placing it back on the wire rack. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, top off with additional finely chopped fresh strawberries, if desired, while the glaze is still wet. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these deliciously fluffy **fresh strawberry donuts** immediately!
Tips for Fluffy, Flavorful Fresh Strawberry Donuts Every Time
Achieving bakery-quality donuts at home is entirely possible with a few expert tips:
- **Yeast is Key:** Always ensure your yeast is active. If it doesn’t foam during the activation step, your yeast is likely expired, and your dough won’t rise. Start with fresh yeast.
- **Warm Environment for Rising:** Yeast loves warmth! Place your dough in a warm, draft-free spot for rising. A slightly warm oven (turned off!) or a sunny windowsill can work wonders.
- **Don’t Over-Flour:** A slightly sticky dough is a happy dough. Adding too much flour can result in dense, dry donuts. Resist the urge to add more flour than necessary during mixing and kneading.
- **Oil Temperature is Crucial:** This cannot be stressed enough for fried donuts. Use a thermometer and maintain the oil temperature between 350°F and 365°F (175°C-185°C). If it’s too cool, donuts absorb too much oil and become greasy. If too hot, they burn on the outside and remain raw inside.
- **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** Fry only a few donuts at a time to maintain the oil temperature and allow for even cooking.
- **Glaze While Warm:** Dipping the donuts in the glaze while they are still slightly warm allows the glaze to melt slightly and adhere beautifully, creating a thinner, more integrated coating.
Get Creative: Delicious Variations for Your Strawberry Donuts
While these **fresh strawberry donuts** are perfect as is, you can always experiment with variations:
- **Different Glazes:** Instead of strawberry, try a simple vanilla glaze, a lemon glaze for a zesty kick, or even a chocolate glaze for a chocolate-strawberry dream.
- **Cream Cheese Glaze:** A tangy cream cheese glaze would pair wonderfully with the sweet strawberries.
- **Powdered Sugar Coating:** For a simpler finish, toss the warm donuts in powdered sugar instead of glazing them.
- **Strawberry Filling:** Instead of incorporating strawberries into the dough, you could make plain yeast donuts and fill them with a strawberry jam or fresh strawberry compote after frying.
- **Mixed Berries:** Feel free to substitute some of the strawberries with other finely chopped berries like raspberries or blueberries for a mixed berry donut.
Storing Your Homemade Strawberry Donuts
Homemade donuts are best enjoyed fresh, ideally on the day they are made. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze may soften slightly over time, but the delicious flavor will remain. You can gently reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds to regain some of their warmth and softness, though they won’t be as crispy as when fresh.
Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why this dough base is so beloved. These **fresh strawberry donuts** are a real treat that the entire family will enjoy, bringing the joy of a bakery right into your home!
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
-
Nutella Stuffed Donuts
-
Deep-Fried Oreos
-
Jelly Donuts
-
Baked Chocolate Donuts
You can find more delicious recipes and cooking tutorial videos on Youtube and Facebook.
Fresh Strawberry Donuts
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tsp dry active yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup melted shortening
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups finely chopped fresh strawberries
- 5 cups all purpose flour
Strawberry Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp strawberry preserves
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
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In a large bowl, add the warm water and sprinkle over the yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes so it can activate.
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Once the yeast activates and becomes foamy add the milk, melted shortening, sugar, salt, eggs, strawberries, and 1/2 of the all purpose flour. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
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Add the remaining all-purpose flour and mix until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
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Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 2 hours.
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Lightly flour your working surface and knead the dough for a minute or two.
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Gently roll the dough 1/2-inch thick with a floured rolling pin.
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Cut donuts using a donut cutter or round drinking glass and then using a bottle cap or a small round circle cutter to cut the holes in the center.
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Cover the donuts and let them rise for 45 minutes.
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While the donuts rise, prepare the strawberry glaze. Mix the powdered sugar, strawberry preserves, and milk. Set aside.
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Heat some vegetable oil to about 350 degrees and then fry the doughnuts for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
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Coat one side of the donuts with the strawberry glaze and then garnish with fresh strawberry bits if desired.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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