The Coziest Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts Recipe Ever

Crisp mornings call for freshly made old fashioned sour cream donuts that melt deliciously on your tongue.

Sweet bakery memories flood back with every golden-brown bite.

Homemade pastries always taste better than store-bought versions.

Crafting these classic treats requires minimal ingredients and simple techniques.

Dense and cake-like, these donuts promise a rich texture that surprises and delights.

Fragrant nutmeg and vanilla create an irresistible aroma wafting through your kitchen.

You’ll want to savor each crumbly, tender morsel down to the last delectable crumb.

Pairings for Sour Cream Donuts

Complement the donuts’ sweet, nutmeg-spiced profile with a bold espresso or dark roast coffee, cutting through the richness and enhancing the pastry’s delicate texture.

Select a crisp hard apple cider or light wheat beer to balance the donut’s sweetness, providing a refreshing counterpoint with subtle fruit or grain undertones.

Pair with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, offering a tart brightness that cleanses the palate and adds a vibrant fruit dimension to the classic donut experience.

During cooler months, enjoy with warm spiced chai tea, whose cardamom and cinnamon notes harmonize beautifully with the donut’s nutmeg undertones.

Proper Storage for Sour Cream Donuts

• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container lined with paper towels for up to 2 days. Place donuts in a single layer to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to preserve quality and prevent freezer burn.
• Keep glazed donuts at room temperature for 8-12 hours. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out, but avoid sealing completely to prevent sogginess.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen donuts in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore slight crispness and warm center.

FAQs

• Why use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Cake flour has lower protein content, which helps create a more tender and delicate donut texture with a softer crumb and lighter feel compared to regular all-purpose flour.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the donut dough up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it tightly wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator to maintain its quality and prevent drying out.

• What's the purpose of adding nutmeg to the recipe?

Nutmeg adds a warm, subtle spice that enhances the overall flavor profile of the donuts, providing a classic, nostalgic taste that complements the rich sour cream base.

Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts Overview

• Craft Nostalgic Treats: Recreate classic donuts that transport you back to childhood bakery memories with a homemade touch.
• Master Complex Techniques: Learn professional pastry skills like precise dough chilling, perfect frying temperatures, and creating signature donut textures.
• Customize Your Delights: Experiment with glaze thickness, add different spices like nutmeg, or try alternative toppings to make these donuts uniquely yours.
• Impressive Gathering Dessert: Serve these golden, glazed donuts at brunches, family breakfasts, or weekend get-togethers to wow guests with bakery-quality baking.

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts

• Cake Flour: The primary base that provides a soft and tender texture to the donuts.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the donuts rise and become light.
• Ground Nutmeg: Adds a warm and subtle spice flavor to enhance the donut's taste.
• Salt: Balances and heightens the overall flavor profile of the donuts.

• Sour Cream: Contributes moisture and a tangy richness to the donut dough.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb in the donuts.
• Egg Yolks: Adds richness, color, and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Powdered Sugar, Corn Syrup, Vanilla Extract: Work together to create a smooth and sweet glaze.
• Vegetable Oil or Shortening: The medium for frying the donuts to golden perfection.
• Hot Water: Helps adjust the consistency of the glaze.

• Salt: Helps balance the sweetness of the glaze.

How to Make Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts

Step 1: Mixing Dry Ingredients

Grab a bowl and blend cake flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg until perfectly combined.

Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugar

Using a mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture looks crumbly and sandy.

Step 3: Incorporating Egg Yolks

Mix egg yolks into the butter-sugar blend until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 4: Creating Donut Batter

• Cake flour mixture
• Sour cream

Gradually fold dry ingredients and sour cream into the mixture, alternating between them.

The final dough will feel slightly sticky.

Step 5: Chilling Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up.

Step 6: Preparing Donut Shapes

Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to about half-inch thickness. Use donut cutters or cookie cutters to create circular shapes.

Dust cutters with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 7: Creating Signature Texture

Gently make three small slits on each side of the donuts to create classic craters.

Be careful not to cut completely through the dough.

Step 8: Frying Donuts

Heat vegetable oil to 325°F in a deep pot.

Carefully fry donuts in small batches for approximately two minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Step 9: Preparing Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Corn syrup
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Hot water

Whisk ingredients together, adding water gradually to achieve smooth consistency.

Step 10: Glazing Donuts

Dip each donut into glaze, allowing excess to drip off.

Place on wire rack and let glaze set for about 20 minutes.

Tips for Soft Sour Cream Donuts

• Refrigerate dough for at least an hour to ensure firmer texture and easier handling during cutting and shaping.
• Maintain consistent 325°F oil temperature for even, golden-brown donuts without burning or undercooking.
• Dip donut cutters in flour to prevent sticky dough from clinging and ensure clean, precise donut shapes.
• Let fried donuts rest on paper towels or bags to absorb extra grease and maintain a crisp, light texture.
• Adjust glaze thickness by adding powdered sugar or hot water to achieve smooth, even coating on donuts.

Variations on Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts

• Gluten-Free Donut Delight: Replace cake flour with a blend of almond and rice flour, ensuring a light, crisp texture for those avoiding gluten.
• Vegan Sour Cream Alternative: Swap sour cream with coconut yogurt and use plant-based butter, creating a dairy-free version that maintains rich flavor.
• Baked Wellness Option: Skip frying and bake donuts in a preheated oven at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, reducing oil content for health-conscious bakers.
• Low-Sugar Raspberry Variation: Incorporate mashed raspberries into the glaze and use monk fruit sweetener instead of powdered sugar for a reduced-sugar treat.

Old Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade old fashioned sour cream donuts bring nostalgic bakery charm straight to your kitchen, offering crisp golden exteriors and tender crumbly centers. Classic comfort meets sweet indulgence, inviting you to savor each delightful bite of this timeless American breakfast treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) cake flour
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) sour cream
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) extra fine sugar

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Fat and Binding Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
• Shortening or vegetable oil (for frying)

Glaze Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups (420 grams) powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup
• 1/16 teaspoon salt
• 1/4–1/3 cup (60–80 milliliters) hot water

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Instructions

1. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg together in a mixing bowl to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer until the mixture resembles coarse sand, creating a light base for the donut dough.
3. Incorporate egg yolks into the butter-sugar mixture, beating until the batter becomes light and voluminous.
4. Gradually fold in the sifted dry ingredients, alternating with sour cream. Mix until a sticky dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and develop flavor.
6. Roll out the chilled dough on a generously floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness, using precise movements to maintain an even surface.
7. Cut out donut shapes using a specialized donut cutter or two different-sized cookie cutters, dipping the cutters in flour to prevent sticking.
8. Create signature texture by making three light diagonal slits on each side of the donut, careful not to cut completely through the dough.
9. Heat vegetable oil to 325°F in a deep pot with a thermometer, maintaining a consistent temperature for even frying.
10. Carefully lower donuts into the hot oil, frying 2-3 at a time to prevent overcrowding, cooking for approximately 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
11. Drain fried donuts on paper towels to remove excess oil, allowing them to cool slightly.
12. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla extract, gradually adding hot water to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
13. Dip each donut into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then place on a wire rack to set for 20 minutes until the glaze hardens.

Notes

• Ensure flour is sifted thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smoother, more delicate donut texture.
• Chill dough completely before cutting to maintain shape and prevent sticking during frying.
• Use a candy thermometer for precise oil temperature, maintaining 325°F for even, golden-brown donuts without burning.
• Drain fried donuts on paper towels or brown paper bags to remove excess oil and keep them crispy.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 288 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 157 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 77 mg