Go Back
Three homemade glazed donuts stacked on a white plate

Classic Glazed Yeast Donuts

Light, fluffy yeast-raised donuts with a thin vanilla glaze that crackles as it sets, the kind you line up for at a good donut shop.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Rising 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 3/4 cup warm milk 180 ml, about 110°F / 43°C
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant or active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tsp for the yeast
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter 57 g, melted and cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 375 to 440 g
  • neutral oil for frying about 2 quarts
Glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/4 cup milk plus more as needed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Stir the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar into the warm milk. Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix in the remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla and salt. Add the flour a cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead 5 to 7 minutes by hand (or 4 to 5 in a stand mixer) until smooth and slightly tacky. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  4. Roll the dough 1/2 inch thick on a floured surface. Cut 3-inch rounds with 1-inch holes. Place on floured parchment, cover loosely and let rise until puffy, 30 to 45 minutes.
  5. Heat oil to 350 to 360°F (175 to 182°C) in a heavy pot. Fry 2 or 3 at a time, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side, until golden. Drain on a wire rack.
  6. Whisk the glaze until smooth and pourable. Dip the donuts while still warm, flip onto the rack and let the glaze set about 10 minutes.

Notes

Keep the oil steady. A clip-on thermometer is the single best tool here. Too cool and the donuts soak up oil; too hot and they brown before the center cooks.
Best eaten the same day. Fry the donut holes too, then toss them in the glaze or cinnamon sugar.