Description

Step into the comforting world of Old Fashioned Jelly Donuts with this classic recipe by Bitty. These light, fluffy donuts are crafted from scratch using buttermilk, active dry yeast, and a tender dough, then fried to a golden brown perfection and filled with luscious raspberry jelly. Finished with a sugar coating, they offer a nostalgic blend of sweetness and softness, perfect for family breakfasts or cozy treats. The recipe allows for customization with various fillings and promises donuts with a crispy exterior and airy interior.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

2 cups buttermilk
2/3 cup sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons salt
4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

Filling and Coating:

1 jar seedless raspberry jelly or your favorite jelly
Oil for deep frying, about 1 litre (vegetable or canola oil recommended)
Sugar for rolling the donuts

Instructions

Prepare Buttermilk and Activate Yeast: Warm the buttermilk until it starts steaming and then remove from heat. Stir in the sugar and let it cool for 5 minutes. Pour this mixture into a bowl, sprinkle the yeast on top, and wait about 5 minutes for the yeast to bloom and become bubbly.
Mix Ingredients and Form Dough: Whisk together the melted butter, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and salt into the yeast mixture. Gradually add 4 cups of flour, mixing until the dough is no longer sticky; add more flour if necessary. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a tea towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
Roll and Cut Donuts: Roll out the dough to about half an inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter between 2.5 and 3 inches in diameter to cut out donut shapes. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, cover again, and let rise for another 45 minutes.
Heat Oil: About 15 minutes before the end of the second rise, heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C), monitoring with a kitchen thermometer to maintain temperature.
Fry Donuts: Fry 3 to 4 donuts at a time for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
Coat in Sugar: While still warm, roll the donuts in sugar until fully coated for a sweet finishing touch.
Fill with Jelly: Once the donuts have cooled slightly, use a piping bag fitted with a nozzle to inject raspberry jelly into the side of each donut, creating a delicious surprise in the center.
Serve and Enjoy: Savor your fresh, homemade Old Fashioned Jelly Donuts with their crisp exterior and soft, airy center filled with sweet jelly.

Notes

To make these donuts gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend containing xanthan gum. The dough may be stickier, so add extra flour when rolling and shaping.
Keep your oil temperature steady at 350°F (175°C) to ensure donuts cook evenly without absorbing excess oil.
You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the fridge overnight; bring it to room temperature before shaping.
Store leftover donuts tightly wrapped in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month for best freshness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Old Fashioned Jelly Donuts, Classic Jelly Doughnuts, Raspberry Jelly Donuts, Homemade Donuts, Fried Donuts, Sweet Donuts, Family Treat, Comfort Food