Classic Glazed Donuts: A Simple, Sweet Treat You Can Make Anytime!

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There’s something magical about a freshly made, classic glazed donut. The light, fluffy texture combined with the sweet, glossy glaze creates a bite of pure indulgence. Whether you’ve had a long day or want to brighten up your morning, a warm glazed donut can make everything better. And the best part? Making them at home is easier than you think!

The charm of these donuts is their simplicity. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients – just the basics that come together to create a timeless treat. Whether you’re making them for family, friends, or just because, this recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds.

The Perfect Classic Glazed Donut Recipe

You don’t need to be a professional baker to master this donut recipe. With just a little patience and a few common ingredients, you’ll have soft, golden donuts that rival anything from a bakery.

Ingredients:

For the Donuts:

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Oil for frying

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough: Begin by dissolving the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy – this step activates the yeast, ensuring your donuts will rise beautifully.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, melted butter, and egg. Once the yeast is ready, pour it into the mixture. This combination creates a rich base for the dough.
3. Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This helps develop the gluten, giving your donuts their signature fluffy texture.
4. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size. Patience is key here, as this step gives the donuts their light, airy structure.
5. Shape the Donuts: Once the dough has risen, roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one for the donut shape and one for the hole) to form the donuts. Let them rise again for another 30 minutes. This second rise ensures the donuts puff up perfectly when fried.
6. Fry to Perfection: Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to about 350°F (180°C). Carefully place the donuts into the oil, frying each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. Glaze the Donuts: While the donuts are still warm, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip each donut into the glaze, then place them on a rack to allow the glaze to set.

The Result: Light, Fluffy, and Perfectly Sweet!

These classic glazed donuts are everything you could want in a homemade treat. They’re soft on the inside with a delicate golden crust on the outside, and the sweet vanilla glaze gives them just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect with a cup of coffee, or as a dessert, these donuts are sure to impress.

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can keep things traditional with the simple glaze or get creative by adding toppings like sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. However you choose to enjoy them, these homemade donuts are bound to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Here are some reliable sources for glazed donut recipes and techniques:

1. Serious Eats offers a detailed guide on making yeast-raised donuts, providing tips on proofing, frying, and glazing the donuts to achieve the best results. They recommend using a digital thermometer to monitor oil temperature and offer detailed steps for creating a fluffy, yeast-raised dough​(Serious Eats)​(Serious Eats).
2. King Arthur Baking provides an easy-to-follow yeast donut recipe, including information on how to properly knead and proof the dough, ensuring your donuts turn out perfectly light and fluffy​(Serious Eats).
3. AllRecipes also has a straightforward glazed yeast donut recipe, perfect for beginners, with a focus on achieving the right consistency for the dough and glaze​(Serious Eats).

These sources provide a range of approaches to help you achieve the perfect classic glazed donut at home!