Go Back
Easy Glazed Yeast Donuts ready to serve.
Sophie Bennett

Easy Glazed Yeast Donuts

Light golden yeast donuts with a thin vanilla glaze.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling/chilling/resting 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts plus holes
Course: Sweet Yeast Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) whole milk, lukewarm
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons (43 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus a little for handling
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frying
  • About 6 cups neutral frying oil, enough for 2 inches in the chosen pot
Glaze
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • 3–4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Equipment

  • Heavy deep pot, thermometer, cutter, and cooling rack
  • Digital Kitchen Scale
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Bench Scraper
  • Digital Food Thermometer

Method
 

  1. Mix lukewarm milk, yeast, sugar, egg, and melted cooled butter. Add flour and salt, then knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
  2. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and rise 60–90 minutes until roughly doubled. Prepare a tray with small parchment squares for shaped donuts.
  3. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut twelve 3-inch rings with 1-inch centers, gently rerolling scraps once if needed.
  4. Transfer rings and holes to the tray, cover loosely, and rise 30–45 minutes until puffy. Avoid handling repeatedly during this second rise.
  5. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C), leaving ample empty space above it. Use a thermometer and keep the pot stable.
  6. Fry two or three donuts at a time for 60–90 seconds per side, until golden. Slide off the paper before frying; maintain oil temperature and fry holes more briefly.
  7. Lift with a slotted utensil onto a rack over a sheet, then cool 5 minutes. Do not add wet utensils or water to hot oil.
  8. Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth and dip the warm donuts. Let excess drip onto the sheet and allow glaze to settle before serving. Cool the oil completely before handling it.

Notes

  • Yield: 12 donuts plus holes
  • Oven/heat: Stovetop frying at 350°F (175°C)
  • Pan/container: Heavy deep pot, thermometer, cutter, and cooling rack
  • Approximate batch frying time. Rising and finishing rests are included separately; use a thermometer to monitor the oil.
  • Times are approximate: cook/bake 20 minutes (approximate); cooling/chilling/resting 2 hours 15 minutes (approximate; see method); total 3 hours 15 minutes (approximate).
  • Keep oil close to 350°F; oil that is too cool makes greasy donuts, while excessive heat browns the outside before the center cooks.
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg to the dough for a classic warm-spice note.
  • Enjoy the day they are fried. Refrigerate leftovers covered up to 2 days because of the milk glaze; texture becomes firmer with storage.
  • Nutrition values are not provided; no calculated nutrition data is included.