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–+ servings

Chinese Sugar Donuts Recipe

These Chinese sugar donuts are a nostalgic treat found in many Chinese buffets, coated in sparkling white sugar and fried to golden perfection. This classic Chinese food recipe uses a soft milk bread dough for a pillowy texture, perfect for snacking warm or pairing with chocolate pudding or fruit.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 12 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 20 pieces

Equipment

  • 2½-inch round biscuit or cookie cutter
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Medium pot for frying
  • Slotted spoon
  • Kitchen towel
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

  • ½ batch Milk Bread dough ingredients mixed, ready after first proof
  • Neutral oil for frying
  • ½ to 1 cup white granulated sugar for coating

Instructions
 

  • Let the Milk Bread dough rise for 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size. Once risen, punch it down and knead briefly. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then place on a clean surface with no flour.
  • Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Form the dough into a ball, then roll it out to a ½-inch thickness.
  • Use a 2½-inch biscuit cutter to cut out as many dough circles as possible. You can gather scraps and re-roll for one extra donut.
  • Place the dough circles onto the prepared sheet and press a small indentation in the center of each with your finger. This helps prevent puffing up too much during frying.
  • Cover the tray with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes.
  • While resting, heat neutral oil in a medium pot to 300°F. Once it reaches this temperature, reduce the heat to maintain a consistent range between 285°F and 300°F.
  • Gently add 3 to 4 donuts to the hot oil at a time, ensuring they're not overcrowded. Watch for a small cluster of bubbles when each donut is added—this means the temperature is right.
  • Fry the donuts for 10 to 12 minutes total, flipping them halfway through until they turn a light golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer each one to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet. Let them cool for 10 minutes.
  • Once slightly cooled but still warm, pour sugar into a medium bowl and coat each donut in it. The warmth will help the sugar stick without melting too much.
  • Repeat the frying and sugar-coating process with all remaining donuts.

Notes

  • The recipe uses half a batch of Milk Bread dough, making it easy to scale. You can double the recipe if desired.
  • Best enjoyed warm, but leftovers can be reheated briefly in the oven to revive texture.
  • Make a batch of chocolate pudding or serve with fresh fruit for a nostalgic buffet-style dessert platter.
Keyword Chinese buffet sugar donuts, Chinese food recipes, Chinese sweet recipe, easy Chinese dessert, homemade fried donuts, milk bread donuts, sugar-coated Chinese donuts
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