Homemade Glazed Donuts: A Cozy Morning Ritual
Ah, the scent of freshly baked donuts wafting through your kitchen—there’s simply nothing that feels quite as warm and comforting. Growing up, Saturday mornings meant digging into a box of sweet donuts while sipping on hot cocoa, eagerly discussing the week gone by. Now, I’ve carried that nostalgic tradition into my kitchen, creating these luscious Homemade Glazed Donuts that are simply irresistible. Crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, they’re perfect for lazy weekends or holiday celebrations. Trust me, these donuts are not just a treat; they’re a delightful experience to share with loved ones!
This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and Fun: Making donuts at home is not only rewarding; it’s also a fun way to spend time in the kitchen with family or friends.
- Perfectly Glazed: The rich vanilla glaze adds a sweet, luscious finish that makes each bite feel indulgent.
- Customizable: With a variety of toppings and flavor options, these donuts can easily adapt to any occasion or mood!
- Crowd-Pleasing: These homemade glazed donuts are sure to impress both kids and adults alike, making them a perfect addition to any gathering.
- Cozy Aroma: As they fry, the warm, sweet aroma will fill your home, creating an inviting atmosphere that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Glazed Donuts
To create these delightful treats, gather the following simple ingredients:
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup bread flour
- 3 cups + 2 tablespoons bread flour (See notes below for measuring)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- Tangzhong (from recipe above)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- Neutral oil for frying (like canola, vegetable, or avocado oil)
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
Let’s Make It Together
Follow these simple steps to create your Homemade Glazed Donuts:
-
Make the Donuts:
- Start by creating the Tangzhong: In a small saucepan, whisk together the 3/4 cup water and 1/4 cup bread flour over medium heat until it thickens. Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 3 cups + 2 tablespoons bread flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon instant yeast, and 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt.
- Add the cooled Tangzhong, 1/2 cup room temperature whole milk, and 1 large egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Knead in 5 tablespoons of room temperature unsalted butter until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
-
Shape the Donuts:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Use a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters to cut out donut shapes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
-
Fry the Donuts:
- In a deep pot or a deep fryer, heat the neutral oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the donuts in the oil, frying a few at a time. Cook until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
-
Make the Vanilla Glaze:
- In a bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon hot water, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract, and a pinch of fine sea salt until smooth.
- Dip the warm donuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Let the glazed donuts sit on a wire rack until the glaze sets.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: After frying, roll the warm donuts in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for a cozy twist.
- Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Add melted chocolate to the glaze for a rich, indulgent topping!
- Lemon Zest Donuts: Mix some lemon zest into the glaze for a zesty, refreshing flavor.
- Maple Glazed Donuts: Swap in maple syrup for a uniquely sweet and aromatic experience.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the donut dough a day ahead and let it rise in the fridge overnight for even easier morning donuts!
- Frying Oil: Make sure your oil stays at the right temperature to avoid greasy donuts. If it’s too hot, they’ll brown too quickly; too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil.
- Test Donut: To check if the oil is the right temperature, drop a small piece of dough into it; if it sizzles and rises to the top, you’re good to go!
- Storage Suggestions: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the freezer for up to a month.
Nutrition Information per Serving
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 300
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead? Yes! Prepare the dough the day before and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.
- Can I use different ingredients? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different types of flour or milk alternatives.
- How do I store leftovers? Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or freeze for longer storage.
- How long do they last? Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if stored properly, they can last for up to three days.
A Cozy Closing Note
Embracing the charm of home-baked goodies with these Homemade Glazed Donuts will surely warm your heart and fill your home with blissful aromas. They’re perfect for sharing with friends or savoring all by yourself—the choice is yours! Save this Homemade Glazed Donuts recipe to your dessert board so it’s ready when you need a cozy treat! Enjoy every bite and make some sweet memories in the process!
Homemade Glazed Donuts
These delicious homemade glazed donuts are crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, perfect for cozy mornings or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 3/4 cup water for Tangzhong
- 1/4 cup bread flour for Tangzhong
- 3 cups bread flour plus 2 tablespoons for the dough
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk room temperature
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- neutral oil for frying (canola, vegetable, or avocado)
For the Vanilla Glaze
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup hot water plus 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- a pinch fine sea salt
Instructions
Make the Donuts
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the water and bread flour over medium heat until it thickens to create the Tangzhong. Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and fine sea salt.
- Add the cooled Tangzhong, whole milk, and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Knead in the unsalted butter until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 60 minutes.
Shape the Donuts
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Use a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters to cut out donut shapes.
- Place the donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Fry the Donuts
- In a deep pot or a deep fryer, heat the neutral oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully place the donuts in the oil, frying a few at a time until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Make the Vanilla Glaze
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, hot water, vanilla paste or extract, and fine sea salt until smooth.
- Dip the warm donuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Let the glazed donuts sit on a wire rack until the glaze sets.
Notes
You can prepare the donut dough a day ahead and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Make sure your oil stays at the right temperature to avoid greasy donuts.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSodium: 150mgSugar: 18g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
