A Simple Glazed Donuts Recipe - How to Create this Classic!

• Lynsey Macdonald

Is there anything nicer than a classic glazed donut? When you're dipping your toe into the baking pond, it's always a good idea to get the basics down first. With that in mind, we're bringing you a simple glazed donuts recipe. Conquer this, and the sky's the limit!

What you'll need to create your simple glazed donuts...

For the donuts:

  • 520g of all purpose flour
  • 170g granulated sugar
  • 12g of instant yeast
  • 300ml of milk
  • 120g unsalted butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract
  • vegetable oil

For the glaze:

  • 300g powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 100ml of hot water

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix together your butter, eggs, salt, sugar and vanilla extract. Stir well.
  2. In a separate bowl, heat up your milk in the microwave until it is warm to the touch. Then add your yeast and stir together.
  3. Combine the two mixtures with a whisk or a stand mixer. Gently add in your flour - not all at once! Split it into two or three, mixing carefully in. Your mixture should turn into a dough that is firm enough to knead. If it is still too runny, add another tablespoon of flour.
  4. Pour your dough out onto your work surface and knead. It should eventually have a nice, smooth texture. Place it back into a bowl, cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and leave to rise for 1 hour. It will have approximately doubled in size when done!
  5. Add some flour to your work surface to prevent sticking, and remove your dough from the bowl, sprinkling the top with flour too. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
  6. Use a round donut or cookie cutter (anything with a round edge will do!) to cut out your circles. Cut out a small hole in the middle to get that classic ring donut shape!.
  7. Add your donuts to parchment paper (leaving space between each), and leave to rise for approximately 30 more minutes.
  8. While your donuts finish rising, heat up your oil in a large pan or deep pot - you want to heat your oil to around 170 degrees C. Be very careful at this stage!
  9. Fry your donuts for about 45 seconds either side, flipping carefully with a spatula. Only fry a few at a time to avoid overcrowding, placing them on a cooling rack when ready.
  10. In another bowl, add your powdered sugar, vanilla extract and 100ml of hot water. Stir gently until smooth to make your glaze.
  11. Dip your donuts in the glaze - either just the top, or both sides, the choice is yours! Then place back on your cooling rack and allow the glaze to set.

Pssst... check out this post for our tips on what to do with any leftover dough!

Ta dah! Now your simple glazed donuts are complete, and ready to be enjoyed by your guests. Sure, you could go out and buy them - but there's something SO satisfying about making your own. Trust us, you won't be able to resist telling everyone they're homemade!

And once you've made one batch, you can play around and make them your own! Maybe you'd enjoy some nutmeg or cinnamon in the dough. Or you might add more water to create a thinner glaze. You'll have your own recipe down in no time. Thanks for checking out this simple glazed donuts recipe, gang. Be sure to tag us in snaps of yours, using #CakeDecFamous, so we don't miss them!

Looking for more inspo?

Delicious Donuts Recipe from Funcakes

Simple Vanilla Cupcake Recipe for Beginners

How to Make Easy Cake Pops Using Donut Holes!

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