The Fluffiest Homemade Glazed Doughnuts Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet memories of childhood bakery visits dance through my mind whenever I craft these delightful homemade glazed doughnuts.

Golden rings emerge from a simple kitchen adventure that connects generations of comfort.

Soft, pillowy textures promise pure delight with every single bite.

Familiar ingredients hiding in your pantry become magical transformative elements for these treats.

Whisking together basic components creates something extraordinary that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Warm aromas will soon fill your kitchen, beckoning everyone near with irresistible promises.

Don’t hesitate – these doughnuts are waiting to become your next delicious creation.

Homemade Glazed Doughnuts: Fresh and Sweet

• Craft a Crowd-Pleaser: These homemade doughnuts will make you the star of any gathering, impressing friends and family with your baking skills.
• Master a Bakery-Quality Treat: Create professional-looking doughnuts right in your kitchen, saving money and enjoying fresh, delicious pastries without a trip to the bakery.
• Customize Your Delights: Experiment with different glazes, toppings, and flavor variations to make these doughnuts uniquely yours, from classic vanilla to creative chocolate or fruit-inspired versions.
• Perfect Weekend Baking Project: Enjoy a fun, rewarding cooking experience that brings family together, with steps simple enough for beginners but exciting enough for seasoned bakers.

Ingredients for Glazed Doughnuts

• Flour: The foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the doughnuts.
• Milk: Helps activate the yeast and adds richness to the dough.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps feed the yeast for proper rising.
• Yeast: Essential for creating the light, airy texture of the doughnuts.
• Butter: Adds flavor and helps create a tender dough.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the doughnuts' richness.

• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the doughnuts.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla: Combine to create a smooth, sweet coating that adds an extra layer of deliciousness to the doughnuts.

• Oil: Provides the medium for deep-frying the doughnuts to golden brown perfection.

Instructions to Make Homemade Doughnuts

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast

Grab a cozy bowl and pour in warm milk. Sprinkle sugar into the milk, then gently scatter yeast across the surface.

Let the mixture sit quietly for 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy.

Step 2: Create the Dough Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Softened butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Pour in the activated yeast mixture and start mixing until a soft dough emerges.

Knead the dough with love for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and bouncy.

Step 3: First Dough Rest

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, tenderly cover it with a kitchen towel.

Allow the dough to relax and rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 4: Shape Doughnut Circles

Roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness.

Use round cutters to create perfect doughnut shapes – a larger cutter for the outer ring and a smaller one for the center hole. Arrange these beauties on a parchment-lined tray.

Step 5: Second Rise

Cover the shaped doughnuts and let them puff up for 30-45 minutes until they look delightfully puffy.

Step 6: Crispy Frying Adventure

Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F.

Carefully lower doughnuts into the hot oil, frying each side for 1-2 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Drain excess oil on paper towels.

Step 7: Glaze with Sweetness

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Dunk warm doughnuts into the silky glaze and place on a wire rack to set.

Enjoy your homemade doughnut masterpiece!

Tips for Soft Doughnuts and Glossy Glaze

• Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to activate yeast without killing it, creating a soft, fluffy texture.
• Use gentle, consistent motions when kneading to develop gluten, resulting in a lighter, more tender doughnut.
• Maintain steady 350°F while frying to prevent greasy or undercooked centers, using a thermometer for accuracy.
• Dip freshly fried doughnuts in glaze when slightly warm for better absorption and a smoother, more even coating.
• Allow proper rising time to develop flavor and achieve a soft, airy texture without rushing the process.

Flavor Variations for Glazed Doughnuts

• Gluten-Free Doughnuts: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, using almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly option.
• Baked Healthier Version: Skip frying and bake doughnuts in a preheated oven at 375F for 12-15 minutes, reducing oil content.
• Vegan Doughnut Alternative: Substitute milk with almond milk, butter with coconut oil, and egg with a flax egg replacement, using plant-based ingredients.
• Chocolate Lover's Variation: Add cocoa powder to the dough and create a chocolate glaze by mixing powdered sugar with melted dark chocolate and milk.

Pairing Suggestions for Doughnuts

Rich, dark espresso or French roast coffee cuts through the doughnut’s sweetness, creating a perfect flavor balance that awakens your taste buds.

Smooth vanilla latte or cappuccino enhances the doughnut’s delicate texture, providing a luxurious and comforting drinking experience.

Fresh berries or a light berry compote adds a tangy brightness that beautifully offsets the doughnut’s sugary glaze, introducing a refreshing element to your dessert.

Sparkling moscato or a light dessert wine offers an unexpected and delightful morning indulgence, elevating the homemade doughnut into a gourmet treat.

How to Keep Doughnuts Fresh

• Store glazed doughnuts in an airtight container lined with paper towels. Keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap unglazed doughnuts individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Warm doughnuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes. Refresh glaze by drizzling a small amount of fresh glaze on top.

FAQs

• Why do I need to activate the yeast first?

Activating yeast with warm milk and sugar helps “wake up” the yeast, ensuring it’s alive and ready to make the dough rise, which gives doughnuts their soft, fluffy texture.

• How do I know if my dough is kneaded enough?

The dough is properly kneaded when it becomes smooth, elastic, and doesn’t stick to your hands. After 8-10 minutes of kneading, the gluten will develop, creating a perfect doughnut texture.

• What temperature should the oil be for frying?

The oil must be exactly 350F (175C). If it’s too cool, doughnuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy; if too hot, they’ll burn on the outside and remain raw inside.

Homemade Glazed Doughnuts Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Golden, pillowy homemade glazed doughnuts emerge from your kitchen like culinary magic, promising sweet comfort with each delicate bite. Southern charm meets bakery perfection in this classic treat that delivers pure indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Bread Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups (440 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) warm milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

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Instructions

1. In a warm bowl, dissolve sugar in milk and sprinkle yeast on top. Allow mixture to become frothy and activate for 5-10 minutes.
2. Combine flour, salt, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Pour in activated yeast mixture and blend until a cohesive dough forms.
3. Knead the dough thoroughly for 8-10 minutes, developing a smooth and elastic texture.
4. Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm space for 1-2 hours until volume doubles.
5. Gently roll out dough to approximately 1/2 inch thickness on a floured surface.
6. Use round cutters to create doughnut shapes, separating outer rings and center holes. Arrange cut doughnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Cover doughnuts and allow a second rise for 30-45 minutes until they appear puffy and light.
8. Heat cooking oil to 350°F in a deep pan or fryer, maintaining consistent temperature.
9. Carefully lower doughnuts into hot oil, frying each side for 1-2 minutes until achieving a golden-brown color.
10. Remove doughnuts and drain excess oil on absorbent paper towels.
11. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
12. Dip warm doughnuts into glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then place on a wire cooling rack to set.

Notes

• Activate yeast with precise temperature control to ensure proper fermentation and prevent killing the yeast.
• Use room temperature ingredients for consistent dough texture and optimal rising performance.
• Allow sufficient resting time between kneading and rising stages to develop gluten structure and enhance flavor complexity.
• Monitor oil temperature carefully during frying to achieve golden-brown exterior without absorbing excess oil or burning.
• Experiment with alternative flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary variations.
• Rest glazed doughnuts on wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crisp texture.
• Customize glaze with different extracts, spices, or liqueurs for unique flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 265 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg