Why You’ll Love Homemade Donuts (Glazed & Iced) Recipe

Soft, fluffy, bakery-style texture.
Beginner-friendly yeast dough.
Crispy golden exterior with a light interior.
Customize with your favorite glaze or icing.
Fun recipe to make with family and kids.
Perfect for holidays, brunches, or weekend treats.
Easily makes classic donuts and donut holes.
Tastes even better than many bakery donuts.

Ingredients

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

Donuts

Milk
Active dry yeast
Butter, melted
Granulated sugar
Salt
All-purpose flour
Peanut oil (or another neutral oil) for frying

Classic Glaze

Butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Milk

Chocolate Icing

Butter
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Milk

Vanilla Icing

Butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Milk
Food coloring (optional)

Directions

Warm the milk until it reaches about 100°F, then combine part of it with the yeast and a small amount of sugar. Let it sit until frothy.
Add the remaining milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and most of the flour.
Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, gradually adding the remaining flour as needed.
Cover the dough and allow it to rise until doubled in size.
Roll the dough out to about ½-inch thickness.
Cut out donuts using a donut cutter or round cutters.
Cover and let the shaped donuts rise again until puffy.
Heat frying oil to 350°F.
Fry each donut for about one minute per side until golden brown.
Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Prepare your preferred glaze or icing while the donuts cool slightly.
Dip warm donuts into the glaze or icing and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Allow the icing to set before serving.

Servings and timing

Servings: 12 donuts
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes

Variations

Coat the warm donuts in cinnamon sugar instead of glaze.
Fill the donuts with pastry cream, jam, or chocolate spread.
Add maple extract to create maple-glazed donuts.
Dip in chocolate icing and top with chopped nuts.
Decorate with colorful sprinkles for birthdays and celebrations.
Make mini donut holes from the leftover dough.
Flavor the glaze with almond, lemon, or orange extract.
Top with toasted coconut or crushed cookies for extra texture.

Storage/Reheating

Homemade donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, freeze the cooled donuts for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm in the microwave for about 8 to 10 seconds before serving. If glazed, you can add a fresh drizzle of glaze after reheating for the best appearance.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes. After the first rise, refrigerate the dough overnight and shape the donuts the next day.

Why didn’t my donuts rise?

Inactive yeast, cold ingredients, or insufficient rising time are the most common causes.

What’s the best oil for frying donuts?

Neutral oils with a high smoke point, such as peanut, vegetable, or canola oil, work best.

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

This recipe is designed for frying, so baking will produce a different texture.

How do I know when the oil is ready?

Use a thermometer and maintain the oil at 350°F for the best results.

Why are my donuts greasy?

The oil may be too cool, causing the donuts to absorb excess oil while frying.

Can I freeze homemade donuts?

Yes. Freeze them after they have cooled completely, then thaw and warm before serving.

How can I keep the glaze from running off?

Dip the donuts while they are still slightly warm, then place them on a wire rack until the glaze sets.

Can I make donut holes with this recipe?

Absolutely. Fry the dough cutouts and coat them with glaze, sugar, or cinnamon sugar.

What toppings work well besides glaze?

Chocolate icing, vanilla frosting, sprinkles, crushed nuts, toasted coconut, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar are all delicious options.

Conclusion

These Homemade Donuts are a classic treat that delivers bakery-quality results right from your own kitchen. With their soft, airy texture and endless topping possibilities, they’re perfect for special occasions or simply satisfying a homemade donut craving. Once you try these fresh, warm donuts, you’ll find yourself making them again and again.

Homemade Donuts (Glazed & Iced)

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These homemade yeast donuts are soft, fluffy, and golden with a light, airy interior and crisp exterior. Finish them with a classic glaze, chocolate icing, or vanilla icing for a bakery-style treat at home.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 12 donuts
Category: Dessert
Method: Deep Fry
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Warm the milk to about 100°F and combine part of it with the active dry yeast and a small amount of the sugar. Let stand until frothy.
Add the remaining milk, melted butter, granulated sugar, salt, and most of the flour.
Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, adding the remaining flour as needed.
Cover and let the dough rise until doubled in size.
Roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness.
Cut out donuts using a donut cutter or round cutters.
Cover and let the shaped donuts rise again until puffy.
Heat the frying oil to 350°F.
Fry each donut for about 1 minute per side until golden brown.
Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Prepare the desired glaze or icing while the donuts cool slightly.
Dip the warm donuts into the glaze or icing, decorate with sprinkles if desired, and allow the coating to set before serving.

Notes

Coat warm donuts in cinnamon sugar instead of glaze for a classic variation.
Fill with pastry cream, jam, or chocolate spread after frying.
Add maple, almond, lemon, or orange extract to customize the glaze.
Top with chopped nuts, toasted coconut, crushed cookies, or colorful sprinkles.
Use leftover dough to make donut holes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
Freeze cooled donuts for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before reheating.
Reheat briefly in the microwave and add fresh glaze if desired.
For best results, maintain the frying oil at 350°F throughout cooking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 310 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 20 mg