Donuts

Astonishingly easy and unbelievably light, that's these dessert fritters. Ricotta whisked into the basic batter is the secret to the airy texture; fresh lemon and orange zest is another great addition for cutting through the richness. They're well worth buying a deep-fry thermometer for if you don't have one already.

Cardamom and cinnamon scent these coconut fried-dough confections from Oman. They're great for breakfast or dessert or make a delectable snack any time of day.

Crisp on the outside, light and moist on the inside, these doughnuts are comfort food through and through. Serve them warm with a generous sprinkling of confectioners' sugar, and you have a decadent breakfast or midnight snack.

The batter for these cloudlike fritters is flecked with lemon zest for a flavor that's subtle rather than sharp. A side of cool, satiny lemon curd for dipping reinforces the citrus theme -- and almost upstages the main event.

Turn this plain pizza dough into a sweet Italian-inspired treat. If you've got kids, this is a great way to get them involved in cooking by letting them shape the pizza dough themselves.From the book "Lucinda's Rustic Italian Kitchen," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Wiley).

Just as alluring as the store-bought boxed kind but gluten-free and dairy-free, these baked cake donuts have it all. The batter relies on almond flour, coconut oil, and coconut milk, and the coconut glaze gets its pretty-in-pink hue from freeze-dried raspberries. Top off each donut with a sprinkling of shredded coconut.

Embedded in light and fluffy fritters, kernels of corn provide nuggets of texture as well as flavor. Matched with slab bacon, and then topped with maple syrup, the fritters are an idealsummer breakfast, simultaneously luxe and casual.

These delicately-decorated homemade doughnuts will make hearts flutter before even the first bite is had. The sugared flower decor looks particularly lovely on these orange-blossom-glazed treats, but they'll still look pretty sweet on desserts like iced cookies and cupcakes, too. 

Make this classic bakery treat from the comfort of your own kitchen. These puffy doughnuts are filled with your favorite raspberry jam and rolled in granulated sugar.

Transform pate a choux, a French batter typically used to make cream puffs and crullers, into the beloved Spanish pastries known as churros. Pipe the dough into loops, fry in hot oil, and toss in cinnamon sugar. And don't forget the chocolate sauce for dipping!

An apple cider reduction and plenty of warming spices transform a batch of cake donuts into everyone's favorite fall treat. They're rolled in cinnamon sugar for good measure.

A sugar-dusted alternative to homemade doughnuts -- often served during Hanukkah -- these battered and fried apple slices evoke the Jewish story of oil miraculously lasting for eight nights.

Favorites in Spain and Mexico, these deep-fried dough sticks are often served with rich hot cocoa -- a perfect pairing for a chilly fall day.

These comforting confections flavored with tart Granny Smith apples and cinnamon are a traditional Hanukkah treat.

Rich Devil's Food doughnuts are a perfect choice for any morning -- draped with a brandied chocolate glaze, they can be topped with chopped nuts or coconut for extra flourish.

These quickly fried, cakey confections boast a molten center of liquid caramel. The filling is made by stuffing the dough with store-bought candies.

These yeast doughnuts are a fall favorite.

Make homemade doughnuts even more decadent with a sweet and tart filling of raspberry jam.

These fritters are delicious hot or cold and make an excellent snack food as well as a side dish that goes with just about everything.

Cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, creamy avocado, and a juicy tomato slice sandwiched between these corn and zucchini fritters make a wonderful breakfast or brunch.

Eating fried foods is, of course, one of Hanukkah's delicious traditions. Sufganiyot, or jelly doughnuts, can be given out as party favors when arranged in cupcake liners and packaged in cellophane bags. These are sealed with double-sided tape and finished with patterned pastel paper. If you're making the nondairy version, reduce the amount of salt to 3/4 teaspoon.

These crunchy doughnuts are like the fried dough you find at county fairs.

Because they are fried in oil, these jelly doughnuts are a traditional dessert for Hanukkah.

Doughnuts and doughnut holes made with cornmeal and rich pumpkin puree are in keeping with the season. Roll some in confectioners' sugar and others in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. A tall glass of apple cider is the perfect accompaniment.