Long Johns

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + rising Cook: 5 min./batch

Makes

1 dozen

Updated: Aug. 11, 2023
The tattered recipe in my files is a good indication of how popular these long john doughnuts have been in our family over the years. They disappear in a hurry, so I typically double the recipe. —Twilla Eisele, Wellsville, Kansas

Ingredients

  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • GLAZE:
  • 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2-1/2 tablespoons water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, butter, sugar, salt and egg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Do not knead. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 15x10-in. rectangle. Cut into 5x2.5-in. rectangles. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until slightly risen, about 15 minutes.
  4. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side. Drain on paper towels. Combine glaze ingredients. Dip tops in glaze while warm.
Long John Doughnuts Tips

Can you frost long john doughnuts with different kinds of frosting?

Our long john doughnuts recipe calls for an icing with brown sugar and vanilla, but there are plenty of other flavors you could use instead. Maple glaze is a classic option for long john doughnuts. Love chocolate? A chocolate glaze works on these doughnuts, too. Use instant coffee to whip up a coffee glaze, or pumpkin pie spice for a fall-ready pumpkin spice glaze. The vanilla extract in our recipe can be swapped out for lemon, orange or almond extract. Here's more on how to make doughnut glaze.

What do you serve with long john doughnuts?

A good ol' cup of joe! Coffee and doughnuts are a classic pairing, perfect for breakfast, brunch or even an afternoon snack. We also like these doughnuts with hot chocolate, or add them to your brunch spread with small pitchers of orange juice (or mimosas), fruit juice, and milk.

How do you store long john doughnuts?

Doughnuts are best served the day you make them, but you can store leftovers if necessary. Keep your long johns in an airtight container at room temperature, where they'll last for 1 to 2 days. If you need the doughnuts to last for longer, keep them in the fridge.

—Lauren Pahmeier, Taste of Home Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 doughnut: 315 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.