Classic Glazed Doughnuts: The Ultimate Homemade Recipe

Glazed doughnuts. Just the name conjures up images of fluffy, golden rings of dough, glistening with a sweet, glassy glaze. They’re a classic for a reason, and while they might seem intimidating to make at home, this recipe breaks down the process into easy-to-follow steps. Get ready to experience doughnut bliss with this detailed guide to making perfect glazed doughnuts from scratch.

## Why Make Doughnuts at Home?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why you should even bother making doughnuts at home. After all, you can just pick them up at the store, right?

* **Taste the Difference:** Homemade doughnuts are simply fresher and more flavorful than anything you can buy. You control the ingredients and can tailor the flavors to your liking.
* **A Fun Project:** Making doughnuts is a rewarding kitchen project. It’s a bit of a process, but the results are well worth the effort. Plus, it’s a great activity to do with kids.
* **Customization:** Want a different flavor glaze? No problem! Homemade allows you to experiment with different glazes and toppings.
* **Impress Your Friends and Family:** Imagine serving up a batch of warm, homemade glazed doughnuts. You’ll be the star of the show!

## The Key to Perfect Doughnuts: Understanding the Process

The process of making glazed doughnuts can be broken down into several key steps:

1. **Making the Dough:** This involves combining the wet and dry ingredients and kneading until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
2. **First Rise:** The dough needs to rise to allow the yeast to work its magic, creating air pockets that will make the doughnuts light and fluffy.
3. **Shaping the Doughnuts:** This is where you’ll roll out the dough and cut out the doughnut shapes.
4. **Second Rise:** Another rise is crucial to ensure the doughnuts are light and airy.
5. **Frying the Doughnuts:** Frying the doughnuts in hot oil until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
6. **Glazing the Doughnuts:** Dipping the warm doughnuts in a sweet, glossy glaze.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a complete list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these classic glazed doughnuts:

**For the Doughnuts:**

* 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
* ¼ cup warm water (105-115°F)
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* ½ cup milk, warmed
* 2 large eggs
* ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
* 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* Vegetable oil, for frying

**For the Glaze:**

* 4 cups powdered sugar
* ½ cup milk
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large mixing bowl
* Stand mixer (optional, but recommended)
* Clean kitchen towel
* Rolling pin
* Doughnut cutter (or two different sized round cutters)
* Baking sheets
* Parchment paper
* Large pot or deep fryer
* Candy thermometer
* Slotted spoon or spider
* Wire rack
* Shallow dish for glaze

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of making these delicious doughnuts. Follow these steps carefully for best results:

**Step 1: Activate the Yeast**

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.

**Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients**

1. In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), combine the sugar, salt, and warmed milk. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
2. Add the eggs and melted butter to the milk mixture and whisk until well combined.

**Step 3: Add Yeast and Flour**

1. Pour the activated yeast mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently to combine.
2. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment.
3. Continue mixing until a shaggy dough forms. The dough will be sticky at this point.

**Step 4: Knead the Dough**

1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes.
2. The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches the right consistency.

**Step 5: First Rise**

1. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat all sides with oil.
2. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

**Step 6: Punch Down and Roll Out the Dough**

1. Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air.
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness.

**Step 7: Cut Out the Doughnuts**

1. Use a doughnut cutter to cut out doughnut shapes. If you don’t have a doughnut cutter, you can use two different sized round cutters (e.g., a biscuit cutter and a smaller cookie cutter) to create the doughnut shape.
2. Place the cut-out doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Gather the dough scraps, knead them together, and roll them out again to cut out more doughnuts.

**Step 8: Second Rise**

1. Cover the doughnuts on the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up slightly.

**Step 9: Prepare for Frying**

1. While the doughnuts are rising, prepare your frying station. Pour about 3-4 inches of vegetable oil into a large pot or deep fryer.
2. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil.

**Step 10: Fry the Doughnuts**

1. Carefully place 2-3 doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot, as this will lower the oil temperature.
2. Fry the doughnuts for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or spider to flip the doughnuts.
3. Remove the fried doughnuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

**Step 11: Make the Glaze**

1. While the doughnuts are cooling slightly, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the doughnuts but thin enough to drip slightly.

**Step 12: Glaze the Doughnuts**

1. Once the doughnuts have cooled slightly (but are still warm), dip each doughnut into the glaze, coating both sides.
2. Place the glazed doughnuts back on the wire rack to allow the excess glaze to drip off.
3. Let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

## Tips for Doughnut Perfection

* **Use Fresh Yeast:** Make sure your yeast is fresh. Expired yeast won’t rise properly, resulting in dense doughnuts. If you’re unsure about the freshness of your yeast, test it by proofing it in warm water with a pinch of sugar.
* **Don’t Overheat the Milk:** When warming the milk, be careful not to overheat it. Overheated milk can kill the yeast. The milk should be warm to the touch, but not scalding.
* **Don’t Overknead the Dough:** Overkneading the dough can result in tough doughnuts. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, but no longer.
* **Maintain the Oil Temperature:** Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for frying perfect doughnuts. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will brown too quickly on the outside and be raw on the inside. If the oil is too cold, the doughnuts will absorb too much oil and be greasy. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the oil temperature and adjust the heat as needed.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pot:** Overcrowding the pot with too many doughnuts at once will lower the oil temperature and result in unevenly cooked doughnuts. Fry the doughnuts in batches of 2-3 at a time.
* **Let the Doughnuts Cool Slightly Before Glazing:** Glazing the doughnuts while they’re still hot can cause the glaze to melt and run off. Let the doughnuts cool slightly before glazing.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients will result in better-tasting doughnuts. Use good quality butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
* **Be Patient:** Making doughnuts takes time and patience. Don’t rush the process. Allow the dough to rise properly and take your time frying and glazing the doughnuts.

## Variations and Add-ins

Once you’ve mastered the classic glazed doughnut, you can start experimenting with different variations and add-ins. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

* **Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts:** Add cocoa powder to the glaze for a chocolatey twist.
* **Maple Glazed Doughnuts:** Use maple syrup instead of vanilla extract in the glaze for a warm, autumnal flavor.
* **Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts:** Toss the warm, fried doughnuts in cinnamon sugar instead of glazing them.
* **Filled Doughnuts:** Use a pastry bag to fill the doughnuts with jam, cream, or chocolate ganache.
* **Sprinkles:** Add sprinkles to the glaze for a festive touch.
* **Lemon Glaze:** Add lemon juice and zest to the glaze for a bright, citrusy flavor.
* **Spiced Doughnuts:** Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to the dough for a warm, comforting flavor.

## Serving and Storage

* **Serving:** Serve the glazed doughnuts warm or at room temperature. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for up to 2 days.
* **Storage:** Store the glazed doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature. To keep them as fresh as possible, avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this can dry them out.

## Troubleshooting

* **Dough Not Rising:** Make sure your yeast is fresh and that the milk is not too hot. Also, ensure the dough is in a warm place for rising.
* **Doughnuts Too Dense:** This can be caused by not using enough yeast, not letting the dough rise enough, or overkneading the dough.
* **Doughnuts Too Greasy:** This is usually caused by frying the doughnuts at too low of a temperature. Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature before frying.
* **Glaze Too Thin:** Add more powdered sugar to thicken the glaze.
* **Glaze Too Thick:** Add more milk to thin the glaze.

## Conclusion

Making classic glazed doughnuts at home may seem like a challenge, but with this recipe and these tips, you’ll be well on your way to doughnut perfection. The satisfaction of biting into a warm, fluffy, homemade glazed doughnut is truly unmatched. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to create a batch of doughnuts that will impress your friends and family. Happy baking!

Now go forth and make some amazing doughnuts! You’ve got this!