If you’ve ever bitten into a warm, soft, melt-in-your-mouth Krispy Kreme doughnut and wished you could make that magic in your own kitchen, I have fantastic news for you! This Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with Glaze Recipe captures that iconic light texture, perfectly sweet glaze, and fluffy inside that Krispy Kreme fans adore. You’ll enjoy making these doughnuts from scratch and watching them transform into golden, pillowy rounds of pure delight. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll never look at store-bought doughnuts the same way again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these irresistible treats, you’ll need only a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully to bring out the classic flavors and soft texture Krispy Kreme doughnuts are known for. Each ingredient has a crucial role, whether it’s activating the yeast for that airy rise, adding richness with the egg and shortening, or creating the iconic sweet glaze that glistens like a promise of pure indulgence.
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast: This is the magical ingredient that helps your dough rise light and fluffy every time.
- 2 tablespoons warm water (110°F): Just the right temperature to activate the yeast without killing it.
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F): Adds moisture and a subtle creaminess that keeps the dough tender.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Sweetness essential for flavor and feeding the yeast.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 egg: Adds richness, structure, and a lovely golden color.
- 2½ tablespoons shortening: Keeps the dough soft and tender, contributing to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling): The base that provides body and elasticity to your dough.
- Vegetable oil for frying: The hot oil crisps up the doughnuts beautifully while keeping the inside soft.
- For the glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweet powder that dissolves smoothly to coat the doughnuts.
- ¼ cup whole milk: Brings the glaze together into a luscious, pourable consistency.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: That final touch to add warmth and depth to your glaze.
How to Make Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by dissolving the yeast in the warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step ensures your yeast is alive and ready to make the dough rise perfectly fluffy. Patience here is key because a lively yeast is the foundation for the texture you crave.
Step 2: Mix the Dough Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening, and one cup of flour. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. The gradual addition allows you to control the dough’s consistency, avoiding it becoming too tough or dry.
Step 3: First Rise
Cover your dough with a clean towel and place it in a warm spot to rise for about 1 to 1½ hours or until it doubles in size. This rise is what creates that airy, tender crumb inside your doughnuts, making each bite a cloud of deliciousness.
Step 4: Shape the Doughnuts
Lightly flour your rolling surface and roll out the dough to about half an inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters to shape your doughnuts and the little holes. Place them on parchment paper, cover loosely, and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise is crucial to a perfectly light texture after frying.
Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat your vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F. Fry the doughnuts a few at a time for about 1 minute per side or until they’re beautifully golden. The hot oil quickly crisps the outside while keeping the doughnuts soft inside. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil but don’t wait too long to glaze them.
Step 6: Glaze and Shine
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze and place them on a wire rack to set. This sweet, shiny glaze is the signature finishing touch that will make your doughnuts irresistible in every bite.
How to Serve Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your doughnuts by sprinkling crushed nuts, colorful sprinkles, or a dusting of cinnamon for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. It’s a fun way to personalize these classic treats and impress friends or family with your creativity.
Side Dishes
Serve your doughnuts with a hot cup of coffee, a creamy latte, or cold milk for a perfect balance. Fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can complement the sweetness too, making for a delightful breakfast or a decadent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your doughnuts on a pretty tiered tray or stack them to create a doughnut “tower” for parties. You can also pair the glazed doughnuts with homemade fruit jams or chocolate sauces for dipping, turning a simple treat into a festive celebration centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any doughnuts left over (and you might!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 2 days. This helps maintain their softness but enjoy them sooner rather than later for that fresh-baked experience.
Freezing
You can freeze unglazed doughnuts by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature and reheat before glazing for best results. This saves you time if you want Krispy Kreme-style doughnuts on demand.
Reheating
To revive day-old doughnuts, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven briefly until soft again. Then dip them in the glaze fresh for that just-made taste and softness.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! Instant yeast can be used, but you should add it directly to the dry ingredients without dissolving it first. It might reduce your rising time slightly.
What can I substitute for shortening in this recipe?
Butter is a great substitute and will add a lovely flavor, though doughnuts might be slightly less tender. You can also experiment with vegetable oil, but shortening helps with texture.
How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?
An oil thermometer is ideal for precision. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough in the oil: it should bubble and rise to the surface quickly without browning too fast.
Can I make these doughnuts gluten-free?
This recipe relies on all-purpose flour for structure, but you can try a gluten-free flour blend. Keep in mind the texture may change and rising times might vary.
Is there a way to make a chocolate glaze using this recipe?
Absolutely! For a chocolate glaze, substitute 2 tablespoons of milk with unsweetened cocoa powder and whisk it into the powdered sugar and vanilla mixture for a rich twist.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with Glaze Recipe right in your own kitchen. From the fluffy dough to the gleaming glaze, it’s a deliciously rewarding project that fills your home with wonderful aromas and your heart with sweet satisfaction. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of these classic doughnuts—you might just find a new favorite tradition!
Print
Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 doughnuts plus holes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Homemade Krispy Kreme recipe guides you through creating soft, fluffy, and classic glazed doughnuts reminiscent of the famous chain. Using yeast dough for that perfect rise and a sweet, creamy glaze, these doughnuts make a delightful treat that can be made fresh at home with simple ingredients and frying technique.
Ingredients
Doughnuts
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons warm water (110°F)
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 2½ tablespoons shortening
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in 2 tablespoons of warm water (110°F) and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk (110°F), granulated sugar, salt, egg, shortening, and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour. Add the yeast mixture and stir until smooth.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the remaining flour while mixing, continuing until a soft dough forms that is no longer sticky but still pliable.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape Doughnuts: Roll the risen dough out on a lightly floured surface to approximately ½-inch thickness. Cut out doughnut shapes using a doughnut cutter or two round cutters for the rings and holes. Place the cut doughnuts and holes on parchment paper, cover lightly with a towel, and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes to puff up.
- Heat Oil: In a deep fryer or a large, heavy pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F. This temperature ensures the doughnuts will cook quickly and evenly without absorbing too much oil.
- Fry Doughnuts: Carefully place a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry them for about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to flip and to remove them when done.
- Drain Doughnuts: Transfer the fried doughnuts to paper towels to drain excess oil and cool slightly but keep them warm for glazing.
- Prepare Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract until the glaze is smooth and free of lumps.
- Glaze Doughnuts: Dip each warm doughnut into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then place them on a wire rack to set the glaze before serving.
Notes
- For a chocolate glaze variation, substitute 2 tablespoons of the milk in the glaze recipe with unsweetened cocoa powder.
- These doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
