If your donut dough has already risen and turned out too dry, you can try to salvage it without having to redo the entire recipe. Here are some tricks you can use to fix the dry donut dough:
Add moisture: Gradually add small amounts of liquid to the dough until it reaches the desired consistency. You can use water, milk, buttermilk, or even a bit of melted butter. Add the liquid little by little and knead the dough thoroughly after each addition to distribute the moisture evenly.
Use eggs: If your dough recipe doesn't already call for eggs, consider adding one or two eggs. Eggs contain both water and fat, which can help moisten the dough and improve its texture.
Vegetable or fruit puree: Another way to add moisture to the dough is by incorporating vegetable or fruit puree. For example, you can blend some cooked pumpkin or sweet potato and mix it into the dough. This will add moisture and flavor.
Oil or butter: Mix in a small amount of vegetable oil or melted butter to help lubricate the dough and make it less dry.
Honey or syrup: Adding a small amount of honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup can help improve the dough's moisture content and add a touch of sweetness.
Let it rest: After you've adjusted the dough with additional moisture, let it rest for a few minutes. This will allow the added ingredients to fully hydrate the dough and make it easier to work with.
Dough conditioner: Some baking supply stores sell dough conditioners that can help improve the texture of your dough. These conditioners typically contain ingredients like lecithin and enzymes that can soften the dough and make it more pliable.
Remember to make small adjustments at a time and thoroughly incorporate the added ingredients. You don't want to go too far in the opposite direction and end up with overly wet dough. With patience and careful adjustments, you should be able to salvage your donut dough and still end up with delicious donuts.