The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (2024)

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Homemade Glazed Donuts recipe makes light and fluffy donuts that are truly the best donuts I’ve ever eaten. They’re my absolute favorite! If you are new to donut making, this is the perfect donut recipe. Keep reading for an easy step-by-step tutorial with photos!

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (1)

Can I tell you a secret? I am in love with glazed donuts. There’s just something about the fluffy and light, yet sweet richness to them that is positively addicting, in the very best way. We don’t live near any donut shops -- in fact, even the closest grocery store that carries donuts is more than a half-hour away -- so I’ve had to learn to improvise.

And with this homemade donut recipe? I happily oblige. They’re actually better than any store- or bakery-bought glazed options I’ve ever tried… Yep, they’re THAT good. They practically melt in your mouth when you take a bite, and even though they do take a bit of time, it’s so worth the end result.

Table Of Contents
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • Popular Substitutions and Variations
  • How to Make Doughnuts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Expert Tips
  • Why do I need to chill the dough?
  • What's the best glaze for donuts?
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews
The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (2)

Recipe Ingredients

You may be surprised to learn that making donuts at home doesn't require a bunch of fancy ingredients. In fact, you probably have most of these on hand in your kitchen already.

For the donut dough you'll need:

  • Whole milk
  • Sugar
  • Instant Or Active Dry Yeast
  • Eggs
  • Unsalted butter
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Salt
  • Shortening or oil for frying

For the hot donut glaze you'll need:

  • Butter
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Cream or Milk
  • Salt
The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (3)

Popular Substitutions and Variations

  • Chocolate Donut Glaze: Add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder when you add the powdered sugar. You'll need to increase the milk by a bit too to form a smooth glaze.
  • Maple Donut Glaze: Replace the vanilla extra in original recipes with ½ teaspoon maple flavoring (you can use up to 1 teaspoon, adjust to your liking).
  • Colored Donut Glaze: Simply add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze.

How to Make Doughnuts

Step 1: Make the Donut Dough

The first thing we are going to do is make the donut dough. Warm your milk until it is about the temperature of a warm baby's bottle - in other words, just hot enough for you to drink without scalding your mouth. (About 105F.) Yeast is actually alive and if you put it in milk that is too hot, you'll kill it, which means no fluffy donuts.

Once your milk is warm, add it to your a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve, then add the yeast and let everything rest for 5 minutes. You have to give that yeast time to wake up.

Add the beaten eggs and melted butter to your yeast mixture and stir to combine. Then, with the mixer running slowly, add the flour and salt. Mix until the dough comes together. If you don't have a mixer you can also do this by hand.

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (4)

If using a stand mixer, switch to your dough hook attachment and knead the dough for a full 5 minutes. If you are making the dough by hand, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. The dough should be thick and soft, but slightly sticky.

Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then transfer to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic saran wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 2-8 hours or overnight.

Step 2: Shape the Donuts

Now it's time to shape the donuts! Remove your dough from the fridge and roll it out using a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface until it is ½ to ⅓ of an inch thick. Then use a three-inch donut cutter to cut out the rounds.

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (5)

Place the cut donuts and holes on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let rise until they are doubled in size. This will take about one hour. When the donuts are ready for frying they will be very puffy and airy looking.

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (6)

Step 3: Fry Your Donuts

To fry your donuts heat a few inches of oil or shortening in large cast iron skillet, dutch oven, or fryer over medium heat. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil. When it reaches 365F to 375F you're ready to fry.

Line a baking sheet with paper towel and set aside. Prepare your glaze in a medium bowl by combining all the glaze ingredients and mixing well. The glaze should have the consistency of school glue. Set aside.

Carefully add the donuts a few at a time to the oil. Do not drop them in the oil or it will splash and you can get burned. Depending on how big your pan is, you can probably fry 3-4 donuts at a time. Don't overcrowd the donuts or they will be hard to flip and the temperature of your oil will decrease too much from cooler dough being added.

Fry the donuts until golden brown, about 1 ½ minutes per side. Use a metal slotted spoon or metal tongs to gently flip the donuts when ready. Once they are golden on each side, remove the donuts one at a time to your prepared baking sheet. The paper towel will help soak up the excess oil.

Step 4: Glaze the Donuts

Let the donuts drain and cool slightly. Move them to a plate. Put a cooling rack on top of your baking or cookie sheet already lined with paper towel.

When the donuts are just cool enough to touch, use your fingers or a fork to dip each side of each donut in the glaze. Place on your cooling rack.

Once you have glazed all your donuts, it's time to dig in! (Unless of course your kids have already started digging in while you were glazing all those donuts - make sure to snag some for yourself!)

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (7)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best temperature for frying donuts?

The best temp is 350 to 375 degrees F. The oil temperature is hard to gauge without a thermometer. I recommend getting one. I like to use this candy thermometer for my candy making and for keeping an eye on my oil frying temperature. That being said, make sure your thermometer is calibrated so that you know it's showing the correct temperature. Here's a good post about how to calibrate your thermometer.

How can I shape donuts without a donut cutter?

No donut cutter? No worries! You can use a wide-mouth canning ring and anything to make the smaller hole. I have used a piece from my kid's marble tracks (love these!), the fat end of a large piping tip, and even a pop bottle lid (that one is a bit annoying because the dough sticks in it). I also have this great set of round cookie cutters that I love and use for all kinds of things (like these amazing biscuits).

How do I know when donuts are done cooking?

The donuts will be done when they're golden-brown -- it'll take about a minute-and-a-half per side and 30 seconds per side for donut holes!

Expert Tips

  • These donuts are much better eaten fresh. They store about as well as most grocery store donuts.
  • Baking is a science, so use accurate measurements, especially for flour and liquid ingredients. Consider using a kitchen scale for precision.
  • Don't overcrowd the frying pot. Fry donuts in batches, making sure there's enough space for them to expand and float freely in the oil.
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Why do I need to chill the dough?

The chilling time is a must for these donuts. The butter needs a chance to solidify in the fridge which makes the dough much less sticky than when it went in the fridge. Don't skip it. But you can be flexible with it. If your dough has firmed up after 2 hours, you can use it! You can also wait as long as overnight. Let the timing work for you.

Chilling the donut dough also allows the donuts to keep their shape so much better, and gets them nice and fluffy. But if you don't have time to chill the dough, I have another great donut recipe: Beth's Famous Glazed Yeast Donuts that comes out almost just like these and it does not need the chilling time that this recipe does. I'd recommend making that recipe if you are in a hurry to get your donuts in your belly.

What's the best glaze for donuts?

I love a traditional buttery glaze on glazed donuts, but feel free to make a maple, chocolate, or colored glaze. The possibilities are endless.

Glaze is very easy to make. All you need is melted salted butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and a generous splash of milk. Combine until all the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and dip your warm donuts halfway into the glaze to cover the tops with the sweet icing.

Here's a full instructional video for you to see the entire donut making process!

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📖 Recipe

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (13)

Homemade Glazed Yeast Donuts

Melissa Griffiths

Glazed yeast donuts are the BEST donuts you'll ever eat. I've been making this easy donut recipe for years and can honestly tell you it's PERFECT!

4.66 from 297 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 2 dozen donuts

Calories 248 kcal

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

  • 1 ⅛ cup whole milk - warm
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons Instant Or Active Dry Yeast (one package)
  • 2 whole large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 ¼ sticks unsalted butter, a total of 10 tablespoons (½ cup plus 2 tablespoons), melted
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Shortening/oil for frying

Glaze for hot yeast donuts:

  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • Enough cream or milk to thin about 3 tablespoons
  • Dash of salt

Instructions

To make the dough:

  • Warm the milk until it is getting nice and warm when you dip your finger in it (about 105 degrees). Add the milk to a mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the yeast and stir to combine. Let the yeast rest for 5 minutes.

  • Add the beaten eggs and melted butter to the bowl and stir to combine.

  • While the mixer is running slowly, add the flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together. Mix for a whole five minutes to work the dough well. Turn off the bowl and let the dough sit in the bowl of the mixer for 10 minutes.

  • After the rest period turn the dough out into a lightly oiled bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, but up to overnight. The goal is to get the dough cold enough to work with easily and have the butter solidify.

To form the donuts:

  • Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it is ½ to ⅓ of an inch thick. Use a three-inch donut cutter to cut out the donuts.

  • Place the cut donuts and holes on a lightly greased baking sheet.

  • Repeat with the remaining dough.

  • Cover the donuts and let them rise until doubled in size, about one hour. The donuts will be very puffy and airy looking.

To fry the donuts:

  • Heat a few inches of oil or shortening in a large cast iron skillet or fryer over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 to 375 degrees (use a thermometer!). Carefully add the donuts to the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 1 ½ minutes per side. The donut holes will only take about 30 seconds per side.

  • Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the hot oil and place them on a paper towel lined baking sheet to remove extra grease. Let them cool slightly. Dip the hot donuts in the glaze (I like to flip on both sides so it's fully covered) and enjoy right away.

For the Glaze:

  • Melt the butter in a medium bowl. Add the vanilla and stir to combine. Add the powdered sugar and stir to form a thick paste. Thin out the paste with milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is about as thick as school glue.

Video

Notes

  • This is the most amazing donut recipe and the only one I have made for years. ENJOY!
  • Didn't realize this recipe needed so long to chill? No worries! I have another great donut recipe: Beth's Famous Glazed Yeast Donuts that comes out almost just like these and it does not need the chilling time that this recipe does. I'd recommend making that recipe if you are in a hurry to get your donuts in your belly.
  • To Make Chocolate Glaze: Add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder when you add the powdered sugar. You'll need to increase the milk by a bit too to form a smooth glaze.
  • To Make a Maple Glaze: Replace the vanilla extra in original recipes with ½ teaspoon maple flavoring (you can use up to 1 teaspoon, adjust to your liking).
  • These donuts are much better eaten fresh. They store about as well as most grocery store donuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1donutCalories: 248kcalCarbohydrates: 12.1gProtein: 3.5gFat: 12.1gSaturated Fat: 5.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 37.8mgSodium: 78.2mgPotassium: 58.8mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 15.2gVitamin A: 304IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 22.5mgIron: 1.1mg

Tried this Recipe?Let us know how it was!

The BEST Glazed Donuts Recipe - Perfect Glazed Donuts! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in doughnuts? ›

Milk. The majority of yeasted doughnut recipes include milk. This liquid helps bind the dry ingredients together while also adding richness to the dough.

What is the glaze on glazed donuts made of? ›

Glaze or fill as follows, and serve as soon as possible. Whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. When the doughnuts are cool enough to handle, dip into the glaze; if you like, flip them so the tops they're completely covered. Put on racks to let the glaze harden.

What is the Krispy Kreme glaze made of? ›

What is the secret to Krispy Kreme Donuts? The secret to Krispy Kreme doughnuts is of course the sweet glaze, and this is achieved by bathing the doughnuts in a glaze of icing sugar, vanilla extract and milk, for a thicker glaze increase the quantity of icing sugar by a few spoons.

What is the difference between an old fashioned donut and a glazed donut? ›

While many early cookbooks included recipes for "old-fashioned donuts" that were made with yeast, the distinctive cake doughnuts sold in doughnut shops are made with chemical leavener and may have crisper texture compared to other styles of cake doughnuts. The cracked surface is usually glazed or coated with sugar.

Which flour is best for donuts? ›

Use real cake flour – not DIY cake flour!

DIY substitutions don't really cut it, and AP flour will not create doughnuts with that same soft texture. Also, bleached cake flour will work best. Unbleached (like King Arthur Baking) won't absorb as much moisture, and you may end up with doughnuts that crumble while frying.

Is butter or shortening better for donuts? ›

We have found that peanut oil or vegetable shortening yield the best texture for donuts, with shortening producing the crispest exteriors.

What are the 3 active ingredients of glaze? ›

A BASE GLAZE is a mixture of these three basic groups: SILICA, FLUX AND ALUMINA.

What stabilizer is used for donut glaze? ›

PIC Instant Glaze-Up is a translucent stabilizer that can be used to stabilize donut glaze (hot or cold process). This stabilizer is excellent for old fashion pressure cut, bench cut and retail donuts.

Why is my donut glaze not hardening? ›

Powdered sugar is the ingredient that makes doughnut glaze harden. It will not harden if it is too thin or if it contains too much fat. This is the reason that glaze made with heavy cream will not set enough to crack. If your glaze is too runny simply add more powdered sugar.

What makes Krispy Kreme donuts so fluffy? ›

Mixing and Extruding

A batch of original glazed starts with Krispy Kreme doughnut mix, water and yeast, the same single-cell fungi used to make bread rise. The yeast is what makes the original glazed so light -- it puffs the dough up with air, so it's not dense like a cake doughnut (more on this later).

What makes Krispy Kreme so sweet? ›

The Krispy Kreme glaze is made up of just a few simple ingredients: powdered sugar, water, and corn syrup. But it's the way these ingredients are combined and heated that makes all the difference.

Why are Krispy Kreme donuts so good? ›

The Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut was light, airy, and straight-up delicious. It was just the right amount of sweet, fully glazed all over, and essentially melted in my mouth. The crunch that the glaze added was just right.

What gives donuts their flavor? ›

Sugar: Sugar sweetens the doughnuts, but it also feeds the yeast, increases its activity, and tenderizes the dough. Eggs: Eggs provide structure and flavor. Butter: Melted butter promises enhanced flavor. Salt & Vanilla Extract: Both add flavor.

What is the most unhealthy donut in the world? ›

Unhealthiest Doughnut: Blueberry Butternut Donut, Bismark, or Glazed Jelly Stick. Why it's bad: Imagine eating eight teaspoons of sugar.

What is the chefs secret recipe in donut county? ›

On the Cat Soup level, once you get inside the restaurant you need to make the secret soup for the blue bird to drink. The recipe in the Trashopedia for secret soup is: "2 shakes salt, 3 shakes pepper."

What is the secret for soft doughnuts? ›

There's only one way to make doughnuts even softer and fluffier and that is by scalding some of the flour. Scalding is a technique used to not only make bread softer, but also to make it stay soft for longer. You can use it for pretty much any recipe you like.

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