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Spiderweb Donuts

Spiderweb donuts are crispy, golden fried dough treats decorated with web patterns made from glaze or icing. They’re made by mixing a soft, yeasted dough, frying until perfectly browned, and then creating web designs while still warm for a playful, nostalgic finish. The result is a chewy, airy interior with a slightly crisp exterior and whimsical appearance.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour unbleached preferred
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast fresh yeast works best
  • ¼ cup sugar granulated
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup warm milk about 110°F/43°C, almond or soy milk works
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegan butter
  • 1 large egg or flaxseed substitute
  • ½ cup powdered sugar for glaze
  • 2 tablespoons milk to thin glaze

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Donut cutter or glass and bottle cap
  • Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Slotted spoon or spider strainer
  • Cooling rack or paper towels

Method
 

  1. Mix the warm milk with yeast and a pinch of sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy and bubbly—that's the yeast activating.
  2. Add the remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined and smooth.
  3. Gradually add the flour, mixing with a spoon or dough hook until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Punch down the risen dough gently and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1.5 cm thickness.
  6. Use a donut cutter or a glass with a bottle cap to cut out circles from the dough. Re-roll scraps as needed for more donuts.
  7. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 180°C (350°F). Once hot, carefully add donuts in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
  8. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts and drain on paper towels. While still warm, gently poke a hole in the center of each donut for web decoration.
  9. Mix powdered sugar with milk to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle or spread it over the donuts while they are still warm.
  10. While the glaze is still wet, use a toothpick or skewer to drag through the glaze, creating web patterns that will set as the glaze cools.
  11. Let the decorated donuts sit for a few minutes until the glaze hardens slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful, playful treat.

Notes

For best results, keep the oil temperature steady and work quickly when decorating the donuts while warm. Feel free to add food coloring to the glaze for extra fun!