Homemade Glazed Doughnuts: Your Ultimate Guide to Sweet, Fluffy Perfection

There’s something magical about biting into a warm, freshly made doughnut—especially when it’s a homemade glazed doughnut. That soft, pillowy center with a shiny, sweet glaze really takes me back to comfy weekend mornings and all of the amazing treats enjoyed with family and friends. Making them from scratch sounds labor-intensive, but I promise that following my guidance will make it a fun and rewarding experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at doughnuts for the first time, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of creating the perfect homemade glazed doughnuts.

What Makes Homemade Glazed Doughnuts So Irresistible?

The allure of homemade glazed doughnuts lies in their fresh, melt-in-your-mouth texture and the satisfaction of crafting them yourself. Unlike what you might buy in a store, the ingredients of homemade doughnuts are up to you! You can experience an incredibly fresh taste in addition to being able to customize flavors.

The key elements that make these doughnuts stand out include:

• Freshness: Enjoy them warm, straight from the fryer.
• Customization: Adjust sweetness and glaze thickness, and add fillings or toppings.
• Quality Ingredients: Use real butter, fresh eggs, and pure vanilla for superior flavor.

Essential Ingredients for Classic Glazed Doughnuts

The best doughnut will start with great ingredients. When you are ready to assemble these ingredients, you will need:

Doughnut Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 1 ½ cups warm milk (about 110°F)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (adds that classic doughnut flavor)

Glaze:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons hot water (adjust for desired consistency)

Note: For frying, you’ll need about 2 vegetable or canola oil.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting the Perfect Dough

1. Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes, until frothy.

2. Prepare the Dough

Add warm milk, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, and nutmeg to the yeast mixture. Mix well. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.

4. First Rise

Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

5. Shape the Doughnuts

Roll out the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a doughnut or two round cutters (one large and one small) to cut out doughnut shapes. Place them on a floured baking sheet.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Turn it once so the top gets coated too. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about one hour. The dough should double in size. If you have a fairly cool kitchen, place the bowl in a turned-off oven with the oven light on. This keeps the dough a bit warmer for the yeast to work. Just be patient. Rising doughnuts slowly and all the way up gives them their fluffy, soft texture. Once the dough has risen nicely, gently press the dough down to release some air. After that, you can roll it out.

6. Second Rise

Cover the cut doughnuts with a towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.

Mastering the Art of Frying Doughnuts at Home

Frying is a crucial step in achieving that golden, crispy exterior.

1. Heat the Oil

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°F (use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature).

2. Fry the Doughnuts

Fry a few doughnuts in the hot oil; avoid overcrowding. Fry the doughnut on one side for about 1 minute, until lightly brown and flip. Fry the other side for about one minute or until golden brown.

3. Drain

Use a slotted spoon to remove the doughnuts and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Creating the Signature Sweet Glaze

While the doughnuts cool slightly, prepare the glaze.

Glaze Preparation:

In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and hot water until smooth. Adjust the water to achieve your desired consistency.

Glazing the Doughnuts:

Dip each warm doughnut into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place them back on the wire rack to set.

Popular Variations: Chocolate, Maple, and Filled Doughnuts

Once you’ve mastered the classic glaze, explore these delightful variations:

Chocolate Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk together until smooth and dip doughnuts as with the classic glaze.

Maple Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons milk

Mix until smooth for a rich, maple-flavored topping.

Filled Doughnuts:

After frying, use a piping bag to fill doughnuts with jelly, custard, or chocolate ganache. Roll in powdered sugar or glaze as desired.

Tips for Achieving Light and Fluffy Doughnuts

• Proper Kneading: Ensure the dough is kneaded until smooth and elastic to develop gluten.
• Correct Oil Temperature: Maintain oil at 350°F to prevent greasy or undercooked doughnuts.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Fry a few doughnuts at a time to maintain oil temperature.
• Use Fresh Yeast: Check expiration dates to ensure proper rise.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Doughnuts

• Overproofing: Letting the dough rise too long can cause it to collapse during frying.
• Underproofing: Not allowing enough rise time leads to dense doughnuts.
• Incorrect Oil Temperature: Too hot, and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too cool, doughnuts absorb excess oil.
• Skipping the Thermometer: Always use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature accurately.

Storing and Reheating: Keeping Your Doughnuts Fresh

To enjoy your homemade glazed doughnuts at their best:

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigeration: Not recommended, as it can dry out the doughnuts.
• Freezing: Freeze unglazed doughnuts in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw and glaze before serving.

For reheating, warm in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to restore softness.

Tools and Equipment: Must-Haves for Doughnut Making

Having the right equipment and tools makes life easier!

• Stand Mixer: This is for easy dough mixing and kneading.
• Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough evenly.
• Doughnut Cutter: Ensures uniform shapes.
• Candy Thermometer: Monitors oil temperature accurately.
• Slotted Spoon: For safe removal of doughnuts from hot oil.
• Wire Rack: Allows excess glaze to drip off and prevents sogginess.

Healthier Alternatives: Baked and Air-Fried Doughnut Options

For a lighter version:

Baked Doughnuts:

Use a doughnut pan to bake the doughnuts at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until golden. Dip in glaze while still warm.

Air-Fried Doughnuts:

Place shaped doughnuts in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes. They won’t be as crispy as fried ones, but they are a healthier alternative.

There’s a unique joy in creating homemade glazed doughnuts—from the aroma filling your kitchen to the first delightful bite. With this guide, you’re well-equipped to embark on this sweet culinary adventure. Happy baking!

Homemade Glazed Doughnuts

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• Author: mymamarecipes.com
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (includes rise times)
• Yield: 12 doughnuts 1x

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Description

These soft and fluffy homemade glazed doughnuts are made from scratch with a rich yeast dough, lightly fried to golden perfection, and coated in a sweet vanilla glaze. A delicious treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime indulgence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

• ¼ cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)

• 1 ½ cups warm milk

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 5 cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Glaze:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• 4 tablespoons hot water (adjust for consistency)

For Frying:

• 2 quarts vegetable or canola oil

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Instructions

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.

• Stir in warm milk, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, and nutmeg. Mix well.

• Add flour gradually, mixing until a soft dough forms.

• Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

• Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).

• Roll out dough to ½-inch thickness. Cut with a doughnut cutter or round cutter.

• Place cut doughnuts on a floured surface, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes.

• Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot. Fry doughnuts 1–2 minutes per side until golden.

• Drain on paper towels.

• Whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and hot water for the glaze.

• Dip warm doughnuts in glaze. Let it set on a cooling rack.

Notes

Use a thermometer to keep the oil between 350–365°F.

Doughnuts taste best the same day, but can be refreshed in the microwave for 10 seconds.

Add maple, chocolate, or citrus zest to the glaze for flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade glazed doughnuts, doughnut recipe, yeast doughnuts, classic glazed doughnuts, fried doughnuts, sweet glaze, breakfast treats, from scratch baking, dessert ideas