If you love the flavor of sourdough, it's time to look past the bread. This sourdough donut recipe is tangy, sweet, and a perfect baking project for a rainy spring afternoon.
Sourdough donuts are an old-fashioned treat that makes me think of what my kids call "the olden days." This sourdough donut recipe is perfect for anyone experimenting with homemade donuts while using their own sourdough starter.
These donuts have a unique flavor and texture that will satisfy your sweet tooth and are ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Serve these donuts with a cup of vanilla lavender latte or for dessert after a bowl of hearty venison stew. So good.
Ingredients
To make this sourdough donut recipe, you'll need the following ingredients. You'll find some substitution ideas below.
Sourdough Donut Dough
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ⅔ cup bubbly active sourdough starter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Vanilla Glaze
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
If you like this recipe, you might want to try my sourdough chocolate chip cookies recipe next.
How to Make Sourdough Donuts with Vanilla Glaze
Warm the Milk Mixture
Heat the milk, sugar, and butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe container until the butter melts and the milk is warm. Ensure the melted butter is cool enough to avoid destroying the natural yeast in the sourdough starter.
Mix the Dough
Combine the warm milk mixture, sourdough starter, salt, and eggs in the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix on low speed until combined, then add 2 ½ cups of flour.
Use a dough hook attachment and knead at medium to low speed for 4-5 minutes to create a soft dough.
Rest and Knead the Dough
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then add a little bit more flour if needed and knead for another 4-5 minutes. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky.
First Rise
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, kneading by hand until it forms a smooth elastic ball. Place the dough in a greased large bowl and cover it with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Let it rise in a warm place for 3-6 hours or until it doubles in size.
Cut Out Donuts
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Use a donut cutter or a biscuit cutter to cut out the donuts and donut holes.
Place the cut-outs on a baking sheet and let them rest for about an hour to become slightly puffy.
Fry the Donuts
Preheat oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven to about 350ºF. Fry each donut for about 1 ½ minutes on each side until golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the hot oil. Place them on a wire rack with paper towels to soak up excess oil.
Glaze the Donuts
While the donuts are frying, prepare the glaze by melting butter and mixing in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Once the donuts are cooked, let them cool slightly on a cooling rack, then pour the glaze over the top.
Let the glaze set, and then enjoy your freshly made sourdough donuts.
Substitutions
Don't want glaze on your sourdough donuts? Dip them in a bowl of cinnamon sugar instead. Or add ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the donut batter before frying them.
I've also made these donuts with two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of coconut oil instead.
Sourdough Donuts FAQs
You have questions? I have answers. If you don't see what you need here, just leave a comment and I'll answer it.
How do I store leftover sourdough donuts?
Leftover sourdough donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. But honestly, we rarely even have any left the next day. For best results, keep them separate with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Can I make sourdough donuts without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can make sourdough donuts by hand. It may require a bit more effort to knead the dough, but it's possible to achieve similar results. Make sure to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
What oil is best for frying sourdough donuts?
Vegetable oil or canola oil is ideal for frying sourdough donuts due to their high smoke points. Ensure the oil temperature stays consistent at 350ºF for even frying.
This sourdough donut recipe gives you a delicious treat to enjoy and share. Happy baking!
Recipe
Homemade Sourdough Donut Recipe with Vanilla Glaze
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ⅔ cup active bubbly sourdough starter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
For Glaze
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Heat milk, sugar, and butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe container just until the milk warms and the butter melts. When mixing with sourdough starter, ensure the mixture is warm, not hot, to avoid destroying natural yeast.
- Combine the milk mixture, sourdough starter, salt, and eggs in a stand mixer, then mix on low speed until combined.
- Add 2 ½ cups of the flour then using a dough hook, knead on medium-low speed for 4-5 minutes to form a tacky dough. Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes, then add a tablespoon or so of flour and knead for another 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface, kneading by hand until it is no longer sticky, forming a smooth elastic ball.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, covering with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap to rise for 3-6 hours or until dough doubles in size at room temperature.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface, using a donut cutter or circular cutter, and stamp out donuts and donut holes.
- Place cut-outs on a flat surface, letting rest for 1 hour to become slightly puffy.
- Preheat oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven to 350ºF
- While the oil is pre-heating, mix all the glaze ingredients to create the sugar glaze.
- Fry the donuts for 1½ minutes per side, then remove them to a paper towel. Once dry, transfer them to a baking rack over a sheet pan.