Soft Baked Donuts Recipe: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion
These soft baked donuts, also known as “Ciambelle soffici al forno,” are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed with coffee, tea, or as a sweet snack anytime. Unlike fried donuts, these are baked to perfection, yielding a soft and fluffy texture that’s sure to please everyone. With the subtle warmth of cinnamon and the sweetness of honey, these homemade donuts are both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious. Let’s walk through the process to make these treats from scratch.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 60g |
| All-purpose flour (00 flour) | 400g |
| Eggs | 1 |
| Egg yolks | 1 |
| Whole milk | 180g |
| Active dry yeast | 4g |
| Honey | 10g |
| Sugar | 70g |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 pinch |
| Fine salt | 1 pinch |
| Egg whites | 1 |
| Crushed pistachios | 50g |
| Sugar granules | 40g |
Instructions
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Prepare the Dough:
- Start by setting up your stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Add the whole egg and egg yolk into the mixing bowl. Then, add the sugar and honey to the bowl.
- Next, sprinkle the dry active yeast over the mixture and add a pinch of ground cinnamon and fine salt for a balanced flavor profile.
- Mix all these ingredients together on low speed until they are combined.
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Add the Flour:
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture. Begin to knead the dough in the stand mixer, switching to a dough hook once the flour has been fully incorporated. Continue kneading until the dough begins to come together, forming a smooth ball that sticks to the hook.
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Incorporate the Butter:
- Now, it’s time to add the butter. Start with a small chunk of softened butter and mix it in. Once absorbed, continue adding small pieces of butter, allowing each piece to incorporate fully before adding the next. This will result in a rich and smooth dough.
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Let the Dough Rise:
- Once your dough has reached the desired texture, shape it into a ball. Lightly oil a bowl, and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel.
- Let the dough rise for about 2 hours in a warm, draft-free area (or in an oven with just the light on). The dough should double in size during this time.
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Roll and Shape the Donuts:
- After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll it out to about 1 cm (about 0.4 inches) thick.
- Use a round cookie cutter (approximately 3.5 cm in diameter) to cut out individual donut shapes. If you want to create the traditional donut shape with a hole in the center, use a smaller cutter to cut out the middle of each round.
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Second Rise:
- Place the shaped donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with plastic wrap and let them rise for another hour at room temperature, or you can place them back in the oven with the light on. During this time, the donuts should puff up and double in size.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
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Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Brush the tops of the risen donuts with the egg whites. For a fun twist, sprinkle some crushed pistachios and sugar granules on top of the donuts. This adds a slight crunch and a delightful extra flavor.
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Bake the Donuts:
- Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking, as they should be light and airy inside.
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Cool and Serve:
- Once the donuts are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack. This ensures they maintain their fluffy texture.
- Serve them once they’ve cooled slightly. Enjoy with a hot drink or simply on their own!
Tips for Success:
- Yeast Activation: Make sure your yeast is fresh. If you have any doubts, proof the yeast by dissolving it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar before mixing it into the dough. If it bubbles, it’s good to use.
- Butter Temperature: Softened butter is key for easy incorporation into the dough. Make sure it’s not too cold or melted.
- Rising Environment: If you don’t have a warm spot, try placing the dough in the oven with just the light on to help it rise properly.
- Donut Shapes: You can experiment with larger or smaller donut sizes by adjusting the cutter diameter. Just keep in mind that the baking time will vary slightly.
These Soft Baked Donuts are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family breakfast, a sweet snack, or a holiday treat. Their delicate texture and subtly spiced flavor will surely be a hit with everyone who tries them. Enjoy your homemade donuts, fresh from the oven!
