Sour Cream Old-Fashioned Doughnuts

Aug 22, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Fresh sour cream old-fashioned doughnuts on a wire cooling rack, one broken open to show the tender inside

These sour cream old-fashioned doughnuts are tender and moist with a subtle vanilla aroma and a slight tang from the sour cream. Lightly spiced with nutmeg and perfectly fried for a crisp exterior, finished with a smooth vanilla glaze.

Prep 30 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 15 min

Total 1 hr

Yield 14 doughnuts

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

doughnuts

2 ¼ cups (280.0 g)all-purpose flour
½ cup (100.0 g)sugar
2.0 tsp (8.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (2.0 g)fine sea salt
½ tsp (1.0 g)ground nutmeg
2.0 large (100.0 g)eggs
½ cup (120.0 g)sour cream
¼ cup (60.0 ml)whole milk
3.0 tbsp (42.0 g)unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
neutral oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
1.0 cup (120.0 g)powdered sugar, for the glaze
2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)whole milk, for the glaze
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract, for the glaze

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg until combined.
In a separate medium bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then whisk in the sour cream, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula just until the dough comes together; do not overmix. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until smooth. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes to relax the gluten and slightly firm up the dough.
Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using a 3-inch (7.5 cm) doughnut cutter, cut out doughnuts and holes. Gather scraps, gently re-roll, and cut more doughnuts until all dough is used.
Heat the neutral frying oil in a deep heavy pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Maintain this temperature throughout frying to ensure even cooking and prevent excessive oil absorption.
Carefully add a few doughnuts at a time to the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown and crisp.
Use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer doughnuts to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Let cool slightly before glazing.
To make the vanilla glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Dip each warm doughnut into the glaze, then return to the wire rack to let the glaze set, about 10 minutes.
Serve the doughnuts warm or at room temperature.

Tips

Use fresh sour cream for a tender crumb and slight tang, which balances the sweetness and enhances the vanilla flavor.
Maintain oil temperature at 375°F (190°C) to achieve a crisp exterior without greasy doughnuts.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make sour cream old-fashioned doughnuts?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to rest. The recipe makes about 14 doughnuts.

How should I store sour cream old-fashioned doughnuts?

Store any leftover doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or toaster oven to refresh crispness.

Can I make sour cream old-fashioned doughnuts ahead?

Prepare the dough and shape the doughnuts up to the frying step, then refrigerate wrapped for up to 24 hours before frying.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 14 servings this recipe makes.

259 Calories / serving

13.2g Fat

31.8g Carbs

3.4g Protein

16.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (14 servings): ~3626 cal · 185g fat · 445g carbs · 48g protein · 228g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 259 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 49 min·2.9 mi·~5750 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 35 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Moderate cycling 26 min·5.2 mi
Swimming laps 36 min
Jogging 25 min·2.1 mi·~4000 steps
Stair climbing 24 min·~2150 steps
Dancing 42 min
Bodyweight circuit training 26 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 60 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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