Description

These buttermilk donuts are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft, fluffy on the inside. The slight tanginess from the buttermilk balances the sweetness, creating a rich and satisfying flavor. Whether you fry or bake them, these classic cake-style donuts are a must-try for any donut lover. Enjoy them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a sweet glaze!

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Frying:

Vegetable or canola oil (for deep frying)

Optional Toppings:

Powdered sugar
Vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla extract)
Cinnamon sugar mix (½ cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, stirring gently.
Incorporate Butter – Pour in melted butter and mix until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
Roll and Cut – Lightly flour a surface, then roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter (or a glass and bottle cap) to cut out donuts.
Heat the Oil – In a deep pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Test by dropping a small dough piece, it should sizzle and rise.
Fry the Donuts – Carefully drop donuts into the hot oil. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
Drain and Cool – Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Let them cool slightly before adding toppings.
Add Toppings – Coat with powdered sugar, glaze, or cinnamon sugar while still warm. Serve fresh and enjoy!

Notes

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Keep oil temperature between 350°F and 375°F to ensure even cooking.
Overmixing the dough can make the donuts tough. Mix until just combined.
To make baked buttermilk donuts, use a donut pan and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 10
Category: Breakfast
Method: Frying or Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: buttermilk donut, cake donuts, fried donuts, homemade donuts, easy donut recipe, buttermilk bar donuts, classic donuts, breakfast donuts