Copycat Peachy’s Donuts Recipe

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I’m sharing a Peachy’s donut recipe that will bring all the joy of homemade goodness straight to your kitchen. From the pillowy texture to the rich and sweet glaze, you’ll be able to recreate their unique quality right at home.

How to make Peachy’s Donuts

Peachy’s Donuts is a donut shop known for making fresh, handmade, old-fashioned donuts with a light, airy texture. Unlike many traditional donut chains, Peachy’s typically fries donuts in small batches throughout the day so customers get them hot and fresh.

Ingredients

For the Donut Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup whole milk, warmed (around 105-110°F)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• Neutral oil for frying (e.g., vegetable or canola oil)

For the Classic Vanilla Glaze:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (or adjust for desired consistency)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Optional Toppings:

• Cinnamon sugar
• Sprinkles
• Melted chocolate for dipping

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar (from the ¼ cup of sugar), and the active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become frothy—this means the yeast is activated and ready to use.

Step 2: Make the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl (or a stand mixer with a dough hook), combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
2. Add the frothy yeast mixture, eggs, vanilla extract, and softened butter. Mix until everything comes together into a sticky dough.
3. Knead the dough for about 6-8 minutes on a floured surface, or 4-5 minutes in a stand mixer, until it’s soft, elastic, and slightly tacky but no longer sticking to your fingers or the bowl.
4. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape the Donuts

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thickness.
2. Use a round donut cutter (or a 3-inch and 1-inch round cookie cutter) to cut out donut shapes. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut again until all the dough is used. Don’t forget to save the donut holes, too!
3. Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Cover them loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30-45 minutes, until slightly puffy.

Step 4: Fry the Donuts

1. Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F (use a thermometer for precision).
2. Carefully lower 2-3 donuts at a time into the hot oil, frying them for about 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Be mindful to avoid overcrowding the pot.
3. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

1. While the donuts cool slightly, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
2. Dip the tops of the slightly warm donuts into the glaze, letting any excess drip off. Place them back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
3. For additional flair, sprinkle on your favorite toppings while the glaze is still wet.

Tips for Perfect Peachy’s Donuts

• Temperature Matters: When activating yeast, make sure the milk is warm, not hot, as hot liquid can kill the yeast, while cold liquid won’t activate it.
• Don’t Skip the Rise: Allowing the dough to properly rise ensures soft, fluffy donuts. Be patient!
• Oil Temperature is Key: Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F. If the oil is too hot, the donuts will brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw inside. Too cool, and the donuts will absorb excess oil and turn greasy.
• Customize Your Flavors: Once you master the basic recipe, experiment with different glazes and fillings! Try browned-butter glaze, chocolate ganache, or even inject the donuts with pastry cream or jam for an extra treat.
• Eat Fresh: Like Peachy’s, these donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refresh in the microwave for 5-10 seconds before eating.

What to serve with

Peachy’s donuts are undeniably indulgent on their own, but pairing them with the right accompaniments can elevate your donut experience from simple snacking to a full-on treat fest.

Hot Drinks:

• Coffee: A creamy cappuccino or strong espresso pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of donuts. Peachy’s donuts work particularly well with flavored coffee such as hazelnut or vanilla.
• Hot Chocolate: The rich, velvety sweetness of hot cocoa complements Peachy’s Donuts beautifully. Add marshmallows or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Tea: Light herbal teas (like chamomile or mint) or bold black teas (like Earl Grey or English Breakfast) make great donut companions.

Cold Drinks:

• Milk: Sometimes, nothing beats a classic tall glass of cold milk alongside warm Peachy’s Donuts. This combo is nostalgic and incredibly satisfying.
• Iced Coffee: Sweet, iced vanilla lattes or cold brew with cream are refreshing options. Add caramel or chocolate syrup for a flavor boost.
• Smoothies: A fruity smoothie (like strawberry-banana or mango) can offer freshness to contrast the richness of the Peachy’s Donuts.

Ingredients Substitutes

One of the best parts about baking is the ability to adapt recipes to suit your preferences, dietary restrictions, or pantry situation. If you’re missing an ingredient or need to make substitutions for health, dietary, or lifestyle reasons, don’t worry—homemade Peachy’s donuts can still turn out just as delicious.

1. All-Purpose Flour

Substitution Options:

• Bread Flour: For a chewier, slightly more elastic donut, bread flour works well as a substitute. Use a 1:1 ratio.
• Pastry Flour: For an even lighter, softer donut, you can use pastry flour. However, mixing it with some bread flour yields a balance of structure and fluffiness.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure). Be aware that the texture may be slightly different but still tasty.
• Whole Wheat Flour: You can replace up to 50% of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. Using 100% whole wheat flour may result in denser donuts.

2. Active Dry Yeast

Substitution Options:

• Instant Yeast: Can be swapped directly for active dry yeast, but you won’t need to activate it in warm milk beforehand—just mix it with the dry ingredients.
• Fresh Yeast: Use 2 ¼ teaspoons (one packet of active dry yeast) for every 17 grams of fresh yeast. Crumble it into the warm milk and sugar to dissolve.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: If yeast is completely unavailable, you can make baked donuts using 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. However, this results in a different type of donut texture (denser and more cake-like).

3. Whole Milk

Substitution Options:

• Non-Dairy Milk: Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk can all be used as 1:1 substitutes. For the richest result, choose a creamy option like coconut or oat milk.
• Buttermilk: For a tangier flavor, replace regular milk with buttermilk—it adds tenderness to the dough. Use the same ¾ cup measurement.
• Evaporated Milk: Dilute with an equal amount of water (½ evaporated milk + ½ water) to replace whole milk.
• Water + Cream: Combine ¾ cup of water with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to simulate the richness of milk.

4. Granulated Sugar

Substitution Options:

• Brown Sugar: Use an equal amount of light brown or dark brown sugar for a caramel-like undertone in the dough.
• Coconut Sugar: For a less refined option, use coconut sugar in a 1:1 ratio with granulated sugar. Keep in mind, it will slightly darken the color of the donuts.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Both can replace sugar in a 1:1 ratio by weight; however, reduce the liquid in the dough (milk) slightly, as these are liquid sweeteners.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: If you want a sugar-free option, use sweeteners like Stevia or Monk Fruit. Check the conversion guide on the packaging to determine the equivalent sweetness.

5. Eggs

Substitution Options:

For those who need an egg-free or vegan version of Peachy’s donuts:

• Flaxseed Eggs: Combine 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens. This works as a binding agent.
• Chia Eggs: Similarly, mix 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with 6 tablespoons of water. Allow it to gel before use.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Use ¼ cup of applesauce per egg. This adds moisture but may slightly affect the flavor.
• Mashed Banana: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup mashed banana for a fruity twist (best for dessert donuts).
• Greek Yogurt: ¼ cup plain yogurt can function as an egg substitute, adding moisture and richness.

6. Unsalted Butter

Substitution Options:

• Vegan Butter: Replace butter with vegan butter in equal parts for a dairy-free alternative.
• Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil (preferably refined to avoid a coconut taste) in a 1:1 ratio.
• Vegetable Oil: Replace butter with an equal amount of vegetable oil for a similar texture. Note: This lacks the rich flavor of butter.
• Shortening or Margarine: You can substitute these in equal parts, but note that they may slightly affect the flavor.
• Olive Oil: Use light olive oil for a healthier fat alternative, though it may impart a mild olive flavor.

7. Neutral Frying Oil (Vegetable/Canola Oil)

Substitution Options:

• Coconut Oil: If you prefer a natural oil, use refined coconut oil for frying. It has a high smoke point and won’t overpower the flavor.
• Peanut Oil: A good alternative, as it has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, but ensure no one is allergic.
• Sunflower Oil: Another great frying option that’s mild in taste and suitable for high-heat cooking.
• Avocado Oil: Works if you don’t mind spending a bit more. It’s a healthy oil with a very high smoke point, but it may affect the flavor slightly.

8. Powdered Sugar (for Glaze)

Substitution Options:

• Blended Granulated Sugar: Blend granulated sugar in a high-speed blender until it becomes a fine powder. Add ½ teaspoon of cornstarch per cup to replicate the texture of store-bought powdered sugar.
• Sugar-Free Powdered Sweeteners: For a sugar-free option, use powdered erythritol or a similar alternative that measures cup-for-cup like powdered sugar.

9. Vanilla Extract

Substitution Options:

• Vanilla Bean Paste: Use an equal amount for a more intense vanilla flavor.
• Vanilla Beans: Scrape the seeds from one vanilla bean pod to substitute for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• Almond Extract: For a different flavor twist, use ½ teaspoon of almond extract instead.
• Maple Syrup: In a pinch, pure maple syrup can offer a hint of sweet flavor in place of vanilla.

Final Thoughts

When pairing Peachy’s donuts with other foods or drinks, the key is finding the balance between indulgence and complementary flavors.

More Donut Recipes:

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• Copycat Sidecar Donuts Recipe
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