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Fluffy Yeast Raised Vegan Doughnuts with Powdered Sugar

Fluffy Yeast-Raised Vegan Doughnuts with Powdered Sugar

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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Dough Rising Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Doughnuts

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl For mixing and kneading the dough. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  • Measuring cups and spoons Precision matters, especially when working with yeast.
  • Rolling Pin To roll out the dough evenly.
  • Doughnut cutter If you don’t have one, use a round biscuit cutter or a drinking glass with a small bottle cap for the center hole.
  • Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot To safely fry your doughnuts with even temperature control.
  • Wire rack and paper towels For draining excess oil after frying.
  • Thermometer Optional but helpful to maintain oil temperature around 350°F.

Ingredients
  

For the Doughnuts

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any plant-based milk, lukewarm
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup vegan butter melted (or coconut oil)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water flax egg
  • Neutral oil for frying canola, vegetable, or grapeseed

For the Coating

  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted

Optional: pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for a subtle twist

Instructions
 

Prepare the Flax Egg

  1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency. This is your egg substitute—perfect for an eggless donut recipe.

Activate the Yeast

  1. In your mixing bowl, combine lukewarm almond milk (about 100°F) with the sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5–7 minutes until foamy. This step is crucial—if the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast might be inactive.

Mix the Dough

  1. Add the melted vegan butter, flax egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate the flour while mixing with a wooden spoon or using a stand mixer on low speed. Once the dough comes together, knead it for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. It should be slightly tacky but not sticky.

First Rise

  1. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Shape the Doughnuts

  1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thickness. Cut out your doughnuts using a doughnut cutter or round tools. Re-roll scraps as needed.
  2. Place the shaped doughnuts on parchment-lined baking sheets and cover loosely with a towel. Let them rise again for 30–40 minutes.

Fry the Doughnuts

  1. Heat 2–3 inches of oil in your pot to 350°F. Fry 2–3 doughnuts at a time, about 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels.

Powdered Sugar Finish

  1. Once slightly cooled (but still warm), toss the doughnuts in powdered sugar. For an extra layer of aroma, mix a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom into your sugar coating.