Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

Freshly made glazed donuts are the perfect solution when you’re craving a soft and sweet dessert. This highly loved donut recipe creates fluffy, buttery pastries covered with a smooth, irresistible glaze that makes every bite enjoyable. Follow this guide to create bakery-quality donuts right in your own kitchen.

How to Make Homemade Donuts

Making your own donuts at home is easier than you might think. The complete recipe includes detailed instructions, but here is what the process involves.

Begin by combining yeast with warm water and allowing it to activate. Then mix in flour, sugar, salt, milk, shortening, and eggs to form the dough. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, then cover it and let it rest until it expands to twice its original size.

After the dough has risen, roll it out to about ½ inch thick and cut out donut shapes using a donut cutter. Allow the shaped donuts to rise once more before frying them in hot oil and coating them with glaze.

How to Prepare the Donut Glaze

To make the sweet topping, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth. Slowly add hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches the right texture. It should be thin enough to coat the donuts but not so runny that it drips away completely.

How to Store Glazed Donuts

Glazed donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be kept for later. At room temperature, they will stay good for about one to two days. Store them in a cool, dry place and cover them with paper or foil to maintain freshness.

If stored in the refrigerator, glazed donuts can remain fresh for up to seven days.

Can Glazed Donuts Be Frozen?

Yes, plain glazed donuts without fillings can be frozen for two to three months. Arrange the donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for at least four hours. After that, transfer them into a freezer-safe container or bag.

When you are ready to eat them, warm the donuts in the microwave to bring back their soft texture.

Reviews and Helpful Tips From Home Bakers

Many home cooks enjoy this recipe because it is simple and produces delicious results.

One baker shared that the recipe was very easy to follow and used cookie cutters to create small heart-shaped and flower-shaped donuts. The family loved the fun designs and tasty flavor.

Another reviewer mentioned that although waiting between each preparation step tested their patience, the final result was worth it. The donuts were flavorful, and the extra pieces could even be frozen for later.

A third baker praised the donuts for being light and fluffy, saying they tasted wonderful even before adding filling or icing and would definitely make them again.

Ingredients

Makes 18 servings

2 envelopes active dry yeast (0.25 ounce each)

¼ cup warm water (105–115°F)

1 ½ cups lukewarm milk

½ cup white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

⅓ cup shortening

5 cups all-purpose flour

1 quart vegetable oil for frying

⅓ cup butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

4 tablespoons hot water, or as needed

Directions

Sprinkle the yeast over warm water and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of flour. Mix slowly with an electric mixer or stir with a wooden spoon. Gradually add the remaining flour, about ½ cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.

Knead the dough for around 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and flexible. Place it into a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and leave it in a warm area until it doubles in size. The dough is ready when pressing it lightly leaves a small indentation.

Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and gently roll it out until it is about ½ inch thick. Cut the dough into donut shapes with a floured donut cutter. Cover the donuts loosely and allow them to rise again until doubled.

For the glaze, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat and gradually add hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze becomes thin and smooth.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the donuts into the hot oil using a spatula. Fry each side until golden brown, turning them as needed.

Remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain. While they are still warm, dip each donut into the glaze and return them to the rack to allow excess glaze to drip away.

Enjoy your freshly made homemade glazed donuts!