This Glazed Donut Recipe makes soft, fluffy donuts topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
These homemade glazed donuts are soft, fluffy, and coated in a sweet, shiny glaze that makes them irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, this recipe shows you how to make bakery-style donuts right at home.
With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can enjoy warm, fresh donuts that melt in your mouth, delighting both kids and adults alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying homemade donuts for the first time, this recipe is simple to follow and delivers delicious results every time. If you love donuts, you might also love Krispy Kreme Donut Holes, Rainbow Donuts or our other Donut Recipes.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
- Soft & Fluffy – Light, airy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Sweet Glaze – A shiny vanilla glaze that adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Bakery-Style at Home – Taste like donuts from your favorite bakery without leaving the house. The donut pan makes it simple, and you don’t need a Dutch oven.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe beginner-friendly without instant yeast or frying and no thermometer or doughnut cutter needed.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Customizable – Add sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or flavored glaze to mix things up.
- Kid-Approved – Everyone will love these fresh, warm, homemade donuts.
Ingredients
Donuts
- Flour – Spoon all-purpose flour into the measuring cup for accuracy; do not pack it.
- Butter – Use melted butter to help the dough blend smoothly and stay tender.
- Milk – Whole milk adds richness and helps create a soft, fluffy donut texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best, most flavorful glaze and dough.
Vanilla Glaze
- Powdered Sugar – Sift before using to create a smooth, lump-free glaze.
- Food Coloring & Sprinkles – Optional, but perfect for adding fun, colorful customizations to your donuts.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Chocolate Glaze – Replace the vanilla glaze with a rich chocolate glaze for extra indulgence using cocoa powder.
- Maple Glaze – Swap in maple syrup for a warm, sweet maple-flavored coating.
- Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – Skip the glaze and roll warm donuts in cinnamon sugar for a classic twist.
- Filled Donuts – Add jam, custard, or chocolate ganache filling for a decadent treat.
- Fruit-Flavored Glaze – Mix in strawberry, raspberry, or orange juice for a fruity glaze.
- Sprinkle Fun – Add colorful sprinkles, crushed cookies, or candy toppings to make them festive.
- Mini Donuts – Make small bite-sized donuts for easy snacking or party platters using scraps.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- Icing: The glaze is amazing but other ideas include peanut butter frosting, Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe or Cream Cheese Frosting.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. First, go ahead and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Also, you will need a donut pan. (No donut cutter or round cookie cutters needed.) Spray the pan with cooking spray.
Step 2. Second, get out a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk this together.
Step 3. Then get out a separate bowl. Add the unsalted butter (melted), large eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Combine together.
Step 4. Next, gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients with an electric mixer. You can use a stand mixer with dough hook or hand mixer. You want this to be just combined. Be careful to not overmix this.
Step 5. Once combined, pour the mixture evenly into the donut pan. Each donut spot should be filled about halfway. I like to use a piping bag or ziplock bag to fill the donut pan.
Step 6. Finally, bake the donuts for 10 to 13 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donuts comes out clean. They should be golden brown. Allow to cool and remove with tongs.
Step 7. While the donuts cool, make the glaze recipe. Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and salt. Then add the teaspoon vanilla. Gradually add the milk until it is the right consistency. If you plan to add food coloring, add that now.
Step 8. Finally, dip the cooled doughnuts in the icing. You want to cover about half of each donut.
Step 9. Place the glazed doughnuts on a cooling rack to allow the excess glaze to run off and allow donuts to set. Transfer the homemade doughnuts to baking sheets or a serving tray.
Storage
Room Temperature – Store glazed donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days separated by parchment paper. They are best enjoyed fresh and slightly warm.
Refrigeration – Keep donuts in the fridge for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature or microwave for a few seconds before serving to restore softness.
Freezing – Wrap donuts individually in plastic wrap or foil and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and rewarm briefly if desired.
Expert Tips
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Eggs, milk, and butter at room temperature blend more evenly for a tender dough.
- Don’t Overmix – Mix dough until just combined to keep donuts light and fluffy.
- Sift Powdered Sugar – For a smooth, lump-free glaze, always sift powdered sugar before mixing.
- Glaze While Warm – Dip donuts in glaze when slightly warm for better coating and shine.
- Customize Fun – Add food coloring or sprinkles immediately after glazing for festive presentation.
- Serve Fresh – Donuts are best eaten the day they’re made, but storing properly ensures a few extra days of enjoyment.
More Easy Donut Recipes
- Air Fryer Donuts
- Mini Donut Muffins
- Lazy Day Homemade Donuts
- Apple Cider Donut Recipe
- Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts
- The Best Halloween Donuts Recipe
- Air Fryer Doughnut Holes
Love these homemade glazed donuts? Give this recipe a 5-star rating and leave a comment below! Share your tips, favorite glaze flavors, or fun topping ideas. Don’t forget to save or share this recipe so you can make fresh, fluffy donuts anytime you want a sweet treat.
Glazed Donut Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Donuts:
- 1 cup Flour
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Butter melted
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1-2 Tbsp Milk
- Food Coloring and Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- FOR THE DONUTS:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a donut pan with non stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the four, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter, egg, milk and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined (do not over mix).
- Pour the mixture evenly into the donut pan filling each one about halfway full. I find that it’s easiest to use a piping bag to fill the donut pan or place the batter in a large ziplock bag and cut the corner off the bag to pipe the batter into the pan.
- Then bake for 10-13 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donuts comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- FOR THE GLAZE:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the powder sugar and salt.
- Then stir in the vanilla extract and gradually add the milk (½ tsp at a time) until the glaze is the consistency that you desire.
- Add food coloring to the glaze at this time if you prefer.
- Dip the cooled doughnuts in the icing covering about half of the donuts. Then top with the sprinkles at this time.
- Let the donuts cool (so the glaze can set) for approximately 30 minutes before serving.
- Then enjoy!
