These classic homemade glazed donuts are light, fluffy, and perfectly golden, with a smooth vanilla glaze that melts into every warm bite. Made with a simple yeast dough and fried to perfection, they bring the nostalgic taste of bakery donuts straight into your home kitchen.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this glazed donuts recipe because it delivers true bakery-quality results at home. The donuts are soft and airy inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and coated in a sweet, glossy glaze that sets beautifully. This recipe is approachable even for first-time donut makers, uses basic pantry ingredients, and is perfect for weekend breakfasts, holidays, or special family mornings.

Classic Homemade Glazed Donuts

There’s something deeply comforting about homemade glazed donuts. The smell of yeast dough rising, oil gently heating, and warm sugar glaze filling the kitchen instantly brings back memories of cozy mornings and bakery visits. This recipe captures that experience and makes it possible to recreate it at home.

These donuts are inspired by classic American bakery-style donuts. They are not cake donuts, but soft yeast-raised donuts with a pillowy interior and a delicate chew. When fried correctly, they puff beautifully and develop a golden exterior that’s just slightly crisp.

What makes homemade donuts special is the texture. Store-bought donuts often lack that fresh, tender crumb that only comes from dough that has been mixed, risen, and fried with care. These donuts are light without being airy, rich without being heavy.

The dough itself is simple and forgiving. Whole milk adds richness, while melted butter gives the donuts a tender bite. Bread flour provides structure, allowing the donuts to rise tall and hold their shape during frying.

Yeast is the heart of this recipe. Giving it time to activate and rise properly ensures donuts that are fluffy rather than dense. Watching the dough double in size is one of the most satisfying parts of the process.

Rolling and cutting the donuts is where the magic starts to feel real. Once cut, the dough rests again, becoming puffy and light, ready for the hot oil. This second rise is key to achieving that classic donut shape.

Frying may seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly simple when done slowly and carefully. Maintaining the right oil temperature ensures donuts that cook evenly without absorbing excess oil.

The glaze is intentionally simple. Powdered sugar, milk, and a pinch of salt create a smooth, sweet coating that sets into that iconic donut glaze finish. Dipping the donuts while they’re still warm allows the glaze to cling and drip beautifully.

These donuts are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, holidays, or anytime you want a homemade treat that feels extra special. They’re best enjoyed fresh, still slightly warm, with a cup of coffee or milk.

Once you make these from scratch, it’s hard to go back. Homemade glazed donuts have a warmth and charm that no bakery box can quite replicate.

Servings & Time

Servings: About 14–16 donuts
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

Donuts

1 1/4 cups whole milk, warm
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
2 large eggs, room temperature
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/4 cups bread flour, plus more for rolling
Neutral oil for frying

Glaze

4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Make the Donut Dough

Warm the milk until just warm to the touch. Stir in yeast and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter, sugar, and salt.
Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Add remaining flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
If dough is sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Shape the Donuts

Turn dough onto a floured surface and roll to 1/2-inch thickness.
Cut donuts using a donut cutter or round cutters. Save donut holes.
Place donuts on parchment paper, cover, and let rise until puffy, about 45 minutes.

Fry the Donuts

Heat oil to 375°F. Prepare cooling racks lined with paper towels.
Fry donuts in batches, about 45 seconds per side, until golden brown.
Remove and drain on prepared racks.

Make the Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and salt until smooth. Adjust thickness if needed.

Glaze the Donuts

Dip warm donuts into glaze, coating one side fully.
Place on rack and allow glaze to set.

Tips

Oil Temperature: Keep oil at 375°F for even cooking.
Do Not Overwork Dough: Gentle handling keeps donuts soft.
Glaze While Warm: Helps glaze stick and set smoothly.
Storage: Best eaten same day, but can be stored airtight for 1 day.
Flavor Variations: Add vanilla or maple extract to the glaze if desired.

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