Berliner Doughnuts: A Heavenly Recipe for Fluffy, Filled Donuts That Everyone Loves!
Ingredients:
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 100g sugar
- 1 packet dry yeast
- 1 pinch of salt
- 200ml warm milk
- 2 large eggs
- 75g melted butter
- Filling of choice (e.g., jam, custard)
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
1️⃣ Prepare the yeast mixture: In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and dry yeast. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until foamy—this shows the yeast is activated!
2️⃣ Make the dough: In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture, eggs, and melted butter.
3️⃣ Knead the dough: Knead the dough well until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
4️⃣ Shape the doughnuts: Roll out the dough and cut out circles.
5️⃣ Add the filling: Place a spoonful of your favorite filling on half of the circles. Cover each with another dough circle and press the edges to seal.
6️⃣ Heat the oil: In a deep pot or fryer, heat the oil to about 175°C (350°F).
7️⃣ Fry the doughnuts: Fry the doughnuts in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.
8️⃣ Drain and dust: Place the fried doughnuts on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
9️⃣ Final touch: Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Enjoy your homemade Berliner doughnuts! Perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!
FAQs for Berliner Doughnuts
1. Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?
Yes! Replace the dry yeast with ½ cube (about 21g) of fresh yeast. Dissolve it in the warm milk with a little sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Why didn’t my dough rise properly?
There could be several reasons:
- The milk was too hot or too cold (ideal temperature is around 35°C/95°F).
- The yeast was old or inactive.
- The dough didn’t have a warm enough place to rise (try placing it near a heater or in a slightly warmed oven).
3. Can I let the dough rise overnight?
Yes! Let the dough rise overnight in the fridge. Before shaping and frying, bring it to room temperature.
4. Can I bake the Berliner doughnuts instead of frying them?
Yes, but they won’t be as fluffy and light. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-18 minutes, then brush with melted butter and dust with sugar.
5. What’s the best way to fill the doughnuts?
Use a piping bag with a small nozzle to inject the filling after frying. This prevents the filling from leaking out while cooking.
6. How do I store leftover doughnuts?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them and reheat in the oven before serving.
7. Can I use different fillings?
Absolutely! Try jam, Nutella, custard, or even peanut butter for a delicious twist.
Hope you enjoy making and eating these classic Berliner doughnuts! 🍩