If you’ve ever wandered past a bakery and caught a whiff of sweet, yeasty perfection, you know the almost magnetic pull of freshly made doughnuts. With this Homemade Glazed Doughnuts recipe, you can recreate that irresistible magic right in your own kitchen! These pillowy-soft, melt-in-your-mouth rings are bathed in a luscious vanilla glaze, giving you that quintessential doughnut shop experience—minus the line. Whether you serve them for breakfast, brunch, or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, these doughnuts are the sort of treat that makes ordinary mornings extra special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Homemade Glazed Doughnuts is how a few simple kitchen staples transform into something truly extraordinary. Each ingredient has a starring role, whether it’s building structure, lending softness, or perfecting that signature glossy finish.

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure, giving the doughnuts their tender, chewy bite.
Active dry yeast: The leavening superstar, responsible for those light, airy pockets in every doughnut.
Warm whole milk (110°F): Activates the yeast and adds richness for a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness and also feeds the yeast as it develops.
Large eggs: Bind the dough, enrich its flavor, and help achieve that feather-light texture.
Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and a subtle, buttery undertone.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the dough balanced—not too sweet!
Vegetable oil (for frying): Ensures even frying and that classic golden exterior.
Powdered sugar: The essential base for that silky, sweet glaze.
Milk (for the glaze): Loosens the glaze and gives it a beautiful, pourable consistency.
Vanilla extract: Puts the finishing touch on the glaze with a warmth that takes it over the top.

How to Make “Homemade Glazed Doughnuts

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Begin your doughnut adventure by mixing warm milk, active dry yeast, and just a pinch of sugar in a small bowl. This is when the magic starts—the yeast wakes up and gets foamy! Give it 5 to 10 minutes, and you’ll know it’s good when a bubbly froth appears. That means your doughnuts will be light, fluffy, and perfect.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, eggs, softened butter, and salt. Pour in your activated yeast mixture, then gradually add your flour while mixing. Soon you’ll have a soft, slightly sticky dough. This is the foundation for our Homemade Glazed Doughnuts—handle it gently for the best texture.

Step 3: Knead and First Rise

Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead away for about 5 to 7 minutes. You’re looking for a smooth, elastic ball that springs back when poked. Pop it into a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise somewhere cozy for 1 to 1½ hours. You’ll return to find it doubled in size and oh-so-puffy!

Step 4: Roll, Cut, and Second Rise

Once your dough has risen, roll it out to a half-inch thickness and cut out classic doughnut shapes using a doughnut cutter. Arrange the cutouts on parchment paper, cover them lightly, and let them rise again for another 30 minutes. This extra proof gives the doughnuts their irresistible lightness.

Step 5: Fry to Perfection

Heat up your vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep pot, and fry the doughnuts in small batches. Just 1 to 2 minutes per side is all it takes to turn them golden brown. Keep a close eye—they cook quickly! Transfer them to paper towels to drain, enjoying the aroma that fills your kitchen.

Step 6: Prepare and Apply the Glaze

While the doughnuts are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the smooth vanilla glaze that defines Homemade Glazed Doughnuts. Dip each doughnut into the glaze, let the excess drip off, then set them on a wire rack so the glaze can firm up into that iconic, glossy sheen.

How to Serve “Homemade Glazed Doughnuts

Garnishes

While the classic vanilla glaze is perfection all on its own, you can easily dress up your Homemade Glazed Doughnuts with a scattering of rainbow sprinkles, a dusting of extra powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of chocolate glaze. Try chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or a pinch of cinnamon for your own signature twist.

Side Dishes

Homemade Glazed Doughnuts shine with a piping hot cup of coffee, a chilled glass of milk, or even a zesty fruit salad. For weekend brunches, pair them with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a simple yogurt parfait—the sweetness of the doughnuts balances the savory side dishes beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful presentation, stack your doughnuts high on a cake stand or thread them onto skewers for a whimsical doughnut “bouquet.” You can even create a DIY doughnut bar with bowls of different glazes and toppings, inviting everyone to customize their own treat. Perfect for parties or family breakfast spreads!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare in our house!), store cooled Homemade Glazed Doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’re best enjoyed fresh but still delicious the next morning.

Freezing

To freeze, let the glazed doughnuts cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid. Transfer to a zip-top freezer bag and store for up to two months. For the freshest taste, freeze unglazed doughnuts and dip them in fresh glaze after reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftover or thawed doughnuts in the microwave for about 10 seconds for that just-baked warmth. If you’d rather use the oven, cover the doughnuts in foil and heat at 300°F for 5 to 8 minutes. Always glaze after reheating if possible for that perfect finish!

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Yes! Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. The cold rise actually enhances the flavor and lets you fry up fresh Homemade Glazed Doughnuts first thing in the morning with hardly any effort.

What can I use instead of a doughnut cutter?

If you don’t have a doughnut cutter, a large drinking glass works for the outside and a small bottle cap or shot glass for the center. The shapes might be a bit rustic, but they’ll taste just as fantastic.

Can I bake these doughnuts instead of frying?

While the traditional recipe is all about frying for that classic texture, you can bake them at 375°F for about 10 minutes. The result will be more like a soft, sweet bread roll—still tasty, just not quite the same as true Homemade Glazed Doughnuts.

How do I make chocolate glaze?

Just swap out 1/4 cup of powdered sugar in the glaze recipe for unsweetened cocoa powder, and whisk as usual. You’ll have a rich, chocolaty glaze that’s perfect for dipping or drizzling.

Why didn’t my doughnuts rise properly?

This usually happens if the yeast wasn’t activated properly or your milk was too hot or cold. Always check that your yeast foams before adding to the dough, and keep your ingredients at the recommended temperature for fluffy results.

Final Thoughts

Few things bring more joy than a batch of warm, freshly glazed doughnuts—especially when they’re homemade. With this Homemade Glazed Doughnuts recipe, you’re just a couple of hours away from the ultimate breakfast treat. Trust me, once you taste that soft, sweet center and glossy vanilla glaze, you’ll want to make these again and again. Gather your loved ones and enjoy making doughnut memories at home!

“Homemade Glazed Doughnuts Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 12 doughnuts 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the delight of freshly made Homemade Glazed Doughnuts, a classic treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert. These fluffy, golden doughnuts are fried to perfection and coated in a sweet vanilla glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

Doughnuts:

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm whole milk (110°F)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups vegetable oil for frying

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy. Mix sugar, eggs, butter, and salt in a bowl. Add yeast mixture and flour to make a dough. Knead until smooth.
Rise the Dough: Let the dough rise until doubled. Roll out, cut, and let rise again.
Fry the Doughnuts: Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
Glaze the Doughnuts: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Dip doughnuts in glaze.