Soft & Fluffy Sourdough Donuts (Sweet Stiff Starter Recipe)

There’s something truly magical about homemade donuts—especially when they’re made with sourdough. These soft, airy sourdough donuts made with a sweet stiff starter are next-level delicious. They have a delicate crumb, a light sweetness, and none of that overpowering tang you sometimes get with regular sourdough recipes.

If you’ve been searching for bakery-style donuts with a natural fermentation twist, this recipe is exactly what you need. Once you try these, it’s hard to go back to store-bought!

🌟 Why Use a Sweet Stiff Starter?

A sweet stiff starter (sometimes called enriched levain or lievito madre-style starter) is perfect for enriched doughs like donuts and brioche.

Unlike a regular liquid starter:

• It contains sugar, which helps reduce sourness
• It creates a softer, fluffier texture
• It improves fermentation in sweet dough

The result? Light, pillowy donuts with a subtle, balanced flavor.

🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need

Sweet Stiff Starter

• 50g active sourdough starter
• 100g all-purpose flour
• 50g sugar
• 40–50g water

Donut Dough

• 300g bread flour
• 100g sweet stiff starter
• 120ml warm milk
• 40g sugar
• 1 large egg
• 40g unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Frying & Topping

• Oil for frying
• Granulated sugar or glaze

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Sweet Stiff Starter

Start by mixing your sourdough starter, flour, sugar, and water into a soft dough. Knead it lightly until smooth.

Cover and let it rest in a warm place for about 4–6 hours, or until it doubles in size. This step is essential—it ensures your donuts rise beautifully and taste amazing.

2. Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• Bread flour
• Sweet stiff starter
• Warm milk
• Sugar
• Egg

Mix everything until it comes together into a shaggy dough.

3. Knead & Add Butter

Start kneading the dough (by hand or mixer). Once it becomes smoother, gradually add the softened butter and salt.

Knead until the dough becomes:

• Smooth
• Elastic
• Slightly tacky

You should be able to stretch it thin without tearing (windowpane stage).

4. Bulk Fermentation

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it.

Let it rest at room temperature for 4–6 hours. The dough won’t always double, but it should become noticeably puffy.

5. Cold Fermentation (Highly Recommended)

For the best flavor and easier handling, place the dough in the fridge overnight (8–12 hours).

This step enhances:

• Flavor depth
• Texture
• Dough strength

6. Shape the Donuts

The next day, roll the chilled dough to about ½ inch thickness.

Use a donut cutter (or two round cutters) to cut shapes. Place each donut on a small piece of parchment paper.

7. Final Proof

Let the donuts rise at room temperature for 2–4 hours.

They should:

• Look puffy
• Feel light when touched

This step is crucial for achieving that airy, bakery-style texture.

8. Fry to Perfection

Heat oil to 170–175°C (340–350°F).

Carefully place donuts into the hot oil (parchment helps transfer them easily). Fry for about 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.

Remove and place on paper towels.

🍯 Topping Ideas

Now comes the fun part! Customize your donuts however you like:

• Classic sugar-coated donuts
• Vanilla glaze
• Chocolate glaze
• Jam-filled donuts
• Cream-filled donuts

You can also dip them in cinnamon sugar for a cozy twist.

✨ Tips for Perfect Sourdough Donuts

• Use an active starter – Your dough depends on it
• Don’t rush fermentation – Time = flavor + texture
• Keep oil temperature steady – Too hot burns, too cool absorbs oil
• Cold dough is easier to handle – Don’t skip overnight rest
• Gentle handling = fluffy donuts

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the overnight proof?

Yes, but the flavor and texture won’t be as good. Overnight fermentation is highly recommended.

Why are my donuts dense?

This usually happens if:

• Dough wasn’t proofed enough
• Starter wasn’t active
• Dough was overworked

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You can, but they’ll be more like soft buns rather than classic donuts.

❤️ Final Thoughts

These sourdough donuts made with a sweet stiff starter are everything you want in a homemade treat—soft, fluffy, lightly sweet, and absolutely irresistible.

They’re perfect for:

• Weekend baking
• Family treats
• Special occasions
• Or just satisfying a donut craving the right way

Once you master this recipe, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. And honestly? They might just become your signature bake.