Soft, fluffy homemade glazed donuts—a classic yeast-raised dough fried until golden brown, then dipped in a sweet vanilla glaze. This recipe makes a dozen donuts plus donut holes!
4½cupsall-purpose flourplus additional for dusting (540g)
½teaspoonsalt
6tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted (85g)
2large eggsroom temperature
vegetable oilfor frying
For the Glaze:
3cupspowdered sugar(360g)
6tablespoonswhole milk(90mL)
½teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
For the Dough:
In a small bowl, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, and remaining ¼ cup (50g) sugar until smooth. Stir in yeast mixture until combined. Stir in flour mixture until a shaggy dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic (dough may be slightly tacky), about 5 minutes. (you can also do this in a stand mixer with the dough hook.) Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a ¾-inch-thick rectangle. Using a donut cutter or 3-inch and 1-inch round cookie cutters, cut 12 rounds and 12 holes in each round, re-rolling scraps as necessary. Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet as you work. Loosely cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
While the donuts are rising, place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Fill a Dutch oven with 2-inches of oil. Heat over medium heat until a deep fry thermometer registers 350°F.
Working a few at a time, fry donuts in the hot oil until golden brown, about 1 minute per side for large donuts and 1 minute, stirring constantly, for the donut holes. Transfer to the wire rack to drain.
For the Glaze:
In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip warm donuts and donut holes into glaze and return to the wire rack to set.
Video
Notes
No 1-inch cutter for the holes? Use the base of a large piping tip! Press straight down with firm pressure and use a toothpick to push out the dough from the tip.
Use a large enough pot. The donuts expand as they fry, and you don't want the oil overflowing. A 5-7-quart Dutch oven works great!
Avoid adding too many donuts at once to the oil. More donuts will lower the oil’s temperature. The donuts will also need room to expand, and it’s easier to flip when there’s space.