Here’s a classic Long John doughnut recipe — a rectangular, yeast-raised doughnut that’s often glazed or frosted, sometimes filled with custard or cream. Think of it as a bar-shaped doughnut with serious potential for delicious toppings!
🍩 Homemade Long John Doughnuts
🧂 Ingredients:
For the Doughnuts:
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3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
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2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
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¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 large eggs
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½ tsp salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Chocolate Glaze (Optional but classic):
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1 cup powdered sugar
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2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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2–3 tbsp milk
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½ tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
Optional Fillings:
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Pastry cream
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Whipped cream
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Bavarian cream
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Custard or jelly
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
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In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), add sugar, eggs, butter, salt, and vanilla. Mix well.
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Add in yeast mixture.
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Gradually add flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
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Knead for about 5–7 minutes (or 3–4 min in mixer with dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
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Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 to 1.5 hours).
2. Shape the Doughnuts:
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Roll dough out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thick.
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Cut into rectangles (roughly 4–5 inches long and 1.5–2 inches wide).
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Place on parchment-lined tray, cover with a towel, and let rise again until puffy (30–45 min).
3. Fry the Doughnuts:
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Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
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Carefully fry a few doughnuts at a time, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown.
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Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool slightly before glazing or filling.
4. Make the Glaze:
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In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
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Dip the top of each cooled doughnut into the glaze and let set.
5. Optional – Fill the Doughnuts:
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Use a piping bag fitted with a long tip to inject pastry cream or other fillings into the center of each doughnut from the end.
🍫 Variations:
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Maple Long John: Replace cocoa powder with maple extract in the glaze.
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Filled Versions: Add Bavarian cream, vanilla pudding, or whipped cream.
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Sprinkles: Add rainbow or chocolate sprinkles on top while the glaze is wet.