Delicious Glazed Donuts Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe creates donuts that are light, airy, and melt in your mouth with every bite. The homemade glaze gives the donuts the perfect touch of sweetness, making them a delightful addition to breakfast or brunch. The combination of a tender dough and the glossy, sugary coating is absolutely irresistible. Plus, making them from scratch at home is not only satisfying but allows you to customize them with variations, such as adding chocolate glaze or sprinkles!

Ingredients

For the donuts:

• 1 cup warm milk (whole milk preferred, 90°F to 100°F)

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast or active dry yeast

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 4 cups bread flour (spooned and leveled, all-purpose flour can be used instead)

• 2 large eggs (room temperature)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)

• Vegetable oil (enough to fry the donuts, 2 quarts is good)

For the Vanilla Glaze:

• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

• 6 tablespoons whole milk

• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough
   In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy. If it doesn’t foam, use fresh yeast and start over.
   Add flour, eggs, and salt, mixing on low speed with a dough hook for 1 minute to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides.
   Gradually add butter one tablespoon at a time while mixing on medium speed. The dough will become sticky, but continue mixing for 5 more minutes until smooth and elastic, resembling soft, non-sticky dough. If necessary, finish kneading by hand on a lightly floured surface.

2. First Rise
   Lightly grease a large bowl, transfer the dough, and cover with lightly greased plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 60 to 90 minutes.

3. Shape the Donuts
   Preheat your oven to 200°F (if needed for a warm place). Punch the dough down to release air bubbles, then transfer to a floured surface and roll to ⅜-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or round cutters to shape the donuts. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut out additional donuts. You should have around 16 donuts and 16 donut holes.

4. Second Rise
   Place the shaped donuts on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space for them to rise. Loosely cover with greased plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes or until nearly doubled in size.

5. Prepare the Glaze
   In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.

6. Fry the Donuts
   Heat vegetable oil in a large pot to 330°F to 350°F. Gently fry the donuts, 3 to 4 at a time, for 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a cooling rack.
   After frying, dip the donuts into the glaze on both sides and return them to the cooling rack. Fry the donut holes for 1 minute per side and glaze them.

7. Serve and Enjoy
   Let the donuts set for about 15 minutes until the glaze has hardened, and serve while fresh!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 16 donuts

• Prep time: 30 minutes

• Rise time: 2 hours

• Cook time: 10 minutes (depending on the batch size)

• Total time: About 2 hours 40 minutes

Variations

• Chocolate Glaze: Instead of the vanilla glaze, you can make a chocolate glaze by whisking together 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

• Sprinkles or Toppings: Top your glazed donuts with colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate for extra flair.

• Filled Donuts: You can make filled donuts by piping in jam, custard, or chocolate filling after frying them.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh. However, if needed, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature. Reheat briefly in the microwave to restore their softness.

• Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it after the first rise. When ready, let the dough come to room temperature before continuing the recipe.

• Freezing: Unfried donuts can be frozen after the second rise. Freeze them on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Fry when ready. Fried donuts can also be frozen, unglazed, for up to 1 month.

FAQs

1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but bread flour will provide a slightly denser and chewier texture, which is ideal for donuts.

2. How can I tell if the oil is hot enough for frying?

Use a thermometer to check that the oil is between 330°F and 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small piece of dough into the oil – if it floats and sizzles, it’s ready.

3. How long do I fry the donuts for?

Fry each donut for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Donut holes take about 1 minute per side.

4. Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the glaze ahead of time. Just cover it and store it in the fridge. Whisk again before dipping the donuts.

5. Can I use milk alternatives like almond milk?

Yes, you can substitute almond milk or another milk alternative. The texture and taste may vary slightly, but it will still work for the dough and glaze.

6. Why did my dough not rise properly?

If your dough doesn’t rise, it could be due to inactive yeast or too cold of a resting environment. Ensure the yeast is fresh, and keep the dough in a warm place during rising.

7. How can I make the donuts extra fluffy?

The key to fluffy donuts is not overworking the dough. Make sure you knead it just enough until smooth and elastic, and allow for a full rise during both resting periods.

8. Can I make these donuts in a donut maker or air fryer?

While a donut maker or air fryer can work for making donuts, they will likely be slightly different in texture. Frying in oil gives a crispy exterior and soft interior.

9. What can I do with leftover donut holes?

Leftover donut holes are perfect for dunking in extra glaze or cinnamon sugar. They also make great additions to dessert platters or snack boxes!

10. How do I freeze and reheat the donuts?

To freeze, place unglazed donuts on a tray in a single layer until frozen, then transfer to a ziplock bag. To reheat, thaw them at room temperature, then microwave or warm them in an air fryer.

Conclusion

Homemade glazed donuts are a fun and delicious treat that can elevate any morning. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of coffee or as part of a weekend brunch, they’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. With a simple recipe, a few ingredients, and a little patience, you can enjoy fresh, soft donuts that are miles better than store-bought versions.