Lenten donuts
Doughnuts are a wonderful dessert, perfect for any occasion, and the vegan versions are just as delicious and easy to make. I invite you to discover this simple recipe for vegan doughnuts, which will bring joy and flavor to your table. The total preparation time is about 2 hours, and this recipe is sufficient for 4 servings of fluffy and aromatic doughnuts.
Necessary ingredients:
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 cup oil (plus oil for frying)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cube of fresh yeast (25g)
- Flour, as needed (approximately 1.5 - 2 cups)
- Grated zest of one lemon
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon essence
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Step 1: Preparing the yeast
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast cube in 100 ml of warm water, adding a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy. This is an essential step to activate the yeast, ensuring that the doughnuts will be fluffy.
Step 2: Mixing the ingredients
In a large bowl, add the remaining warm water, 1 cup of oil, sugar, lemon zest, lemon essence, and cinnamon. Mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once the mixture is homogeneous, add the activated yeast.
Step 3: Forming the dough
Start adding the flour gradually, mixing with a spatula or your hands, until you obtain an elastic dough. Be careful: the dough should not be too hard, so add flour gradually. Once the dough has the right consistency, knead it gently for 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: Rising
Cover the bowl with a clean towel and leave it in a warm place, away from drafts, for about 1 hour or until the dough doubles in volume. This step is crucial for achieving fluffy and airy doughnuts.
Step 5: Shaping the doughnuts
After the dough has risen, sprinkle a work surface with flour and turn out the dough. Roll it out with a rolling pin until it reaches a thickness of about 1 cm. Using a glass or a doughnut cutter, cut circles from the dough. Place them on a floured tray and let them rise for another 15 minutes.
Step 6: Frying the doughnuts
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Test the oil temperature by placing a small piece of dough; if it rises to the surface and starts to sizzle, the oil is ready. Fry the doughnuts on each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Remove them onto a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Step 7: Serving
Vegan doughnuts are served warm, dusted with powdered sugar or fruit jam, for an extra touch of flavor. A wonderful idea is to accompany them with chocolate sauce or maple syrup, which will add a sweet and decadent note.
Possible variations:
- You can add some pieces of caramelized apples or pears to the dough for a unique flavor.
- Experiment with various flavors, such as vanilla or nutmeg, to customize the taste of the doughnuts.
I hope this vegan doughnut recipe inspires you to experiment in the kitchen. With each doughnut, you will add a touch of joy and flavor to your life!
Ingredients: 3 cups of water, 1 cup of oil, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cube of fresh yeast, flour as needed (depends on the size of the cup), lemon zest, lemon essence, cinnamon.
