Baking Donuts: A Guide to Product Development
With their sweet flavor and soft texture, donuts are among the most versatile bakery items. They are enjoyed at breakfast, as snacks, and even as components of sandwiches. This beloved treat can be fried or baked, yeast-leavened or chemically leavened, and comes in various forms to satisfy diverse tastes.
The donut market is thriving, valued at USD 12 billion in 2023, and projected to grow at a 7% CAGR through 2031. Yeast donuts dominate this market, though cake donuts also have a significant following. The increasing demand for healthier baked goods is driving innovation and expanding market opportunities.
Formulating Donuts
For creating delicious donuts, it’s essential to use high-quality ingredients and control temperatures throughout mixing, proofing, and frying stages. Yeast donuts require fermentation for a light, airy texture, while cake donuts rely on chemical leavening for a dense crumb. Key techniques include accurate ingredient scaling, precise frying temperatures, and optimized proofing times to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life.
A Guide to Baking Donuts
Get the ultimate resource on donuts and download our free Pocket Guide! Topics in this eBook include:
- Common types of donuts
- Key ingredients and their functions
- Donut processing considerations
- Formulation and troubleshooting tips
- Quality assurance factors
