Nothing quite compares to the feeling of biting into a super soft glazed donut—the sweet, smooth glaze enveloping a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dough. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee or simply indulging as a treat, glazed donuts are an irresistible favorite for people of all ages. Making these at home may sound like a daunting task, but with this easy glazed donut recipe, you’ll have homemade donuts that rival your favorite bakery’s creations.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to create the most super soft glazed donuts using a simple and effective method. We’ll also explore how you can customize the recipe with variations, tips for achieving the perfect donut texture, and different ways to top your donuts.
What Makes These Glazed Donuts So Special?
This glazed donut recipe yields donuts that are incredibly soft, light, and fluffy. The key is to use the right balance of ingredients and a gentle method to handle the dough, ensuring that the texture is just right. The glazed donuts are then coated in a smooth, shiny glaze that adds a perfect touch of sweetness to each bite. Whether you’re making these for breakfast, a party, or just as a treat for yourself, these donuts will impress everyone who tries them.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Super soft texture: These donuts are light and airy, with a pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth interior.
- Easy to make: This is an easy donut recipe that requires basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
- Versatile: You can enjoy these donuts plain or top them with various glazes, sprinkles, or fillings.
- Homemade freshness: Homemade donuts are always better than store-bought, and these are no exception. You’ll love the fresh, warm taste of donuts made right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for Super Soft Glazed Donuts
Before we get started, let’s gather all the ingredients you’ll need for the glazed donuts recipe:
For the Donuts:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (around 110°F)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling out)
- Vegetable oil for frying (or use for a baked donut recipe instead)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (adjust to achieve desired glaze consistency)
- Pinch of salt (optional, for flavor balance)
How to Make Super Soft Glazed Donuts
Follow these easy steps to make homemade donuts that are soft, fluffy, and perfectly glazed.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by activating your yeast. In a small bowl, mix the warm milk and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and stir gently. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly. This step ensures that the yeast is alive and ready to help your donuts rise.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, eggs, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
Gradually add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring to combine after each addition. Once the dough becomes thick, use your hands to knead it into a smooth ball. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step if you prefer. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it is elastic and smooth.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The warm environment is essential for the yeast to work its magic and make the dough rise to perfection.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter (or two round cookie cutters—one large and one small) to cut out the donut shapes. You can also use a cup and a smaller round object (like a bottle cap) to make your own donut cutter.
Gather any excess dough, roll it out again, and continue cutting until all the donuts are shaped. You should have about 12 donuts, depending on the size of your cutter.
Step 5: Fry the Donuts
If you’re frying your donuts, heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully lower the donuts into the hot oil, being mindful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to flip them gently and remove them from the oil once they are cooked.
If you prefer baked donuts, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. Baked donut recipes provide a slightly healthier alternative, but the texture may be different from the deep-fried version.
Step 6: Prepare the Glaze
While the donuts are cooling slightly, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk quantity to reach your desired consistency—a thicker glaze will coat the donuts more heavily, while a thinner glaze will give a more delicate finish.
Step 7: Glaze the Donuts
Once the donuts have cooled for about 5 minutes (they should still be warm, but not too hot to handle), dip each donut into the glaze, ensuring it is fully coated. Place the glazed donuts on a cooling rack to allow the glaze to set and harden slightly.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Your super soft glazed donuts are now ready to serve! These warm, fluffy donuts are perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or milk. Enjoy them as a sweet treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
Tips for the Best Glazed Donuts
To ensure your homemade donuts recipe is a success, follow these helpful tips:
- Use fresh yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh and hasn’t expired. Fresh yeast is key to making light, airy donuts.
- Don’t skip the rising time: Allow the dough to rise fully for the best texture. Patience is key for a soft, fluffy donut.
- Monitor the oil temperature: If frying, ensure the oil is at the right temperature (350°F or 175°C). If the oil is too hot, the donuts will brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw on the inside. If it’s too cool, the donuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
- Use a donut cutter: For uniform donuts, use a proper donut cutter. This ensures the donuts cook evenly and have the perfect shape.
- Customize your glaze: Add flavors like chocolate, maple, or coffee to your glaze for variety. You can also add toppings such as sprinkles, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes.
Variations of Super Soft Glazed Donuts
While the classic glazed donut recipe is delicious on its own, you can easily experiment with different flavors and toppings to make your donuts unique. Here are a few variations to try:
1. Chocolate Glazed Donuts
For a rich, chocolatey twist, prepare a chocolate glaze by melting some chocolate chips with a little milk and mixing in powdered sugar. Dip the donuts into the chocolate glaze instead of the classic vanilla one for a decadent treat.
2. Maple Glazed Donuts
Swap the vanilla in the glaze for maple syrup to create a sweet, aromatic glaze that pairs beautifully with the soft donut.
3. Filled Donuts
Add a delicious filling to your donuts before frying by piping in jam, custard, or chocolate ganache. After frying, you can glaze them for a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
4. Baked Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar
For a lighter, baked version, brush the donuts with melted butter after baking and coat them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a delightful cinnamon-sugar crust.
Why You Should Try Super Soft Glazed Donuts
These glazed donuts are the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth while enjoying the satisfaction of making them from scratch. With a soft, fluffy texture and a rich, glossy glaze, they’re irresistible fresh out of the fryer (or oven). Whether you prefer them as a weekend treat, for a special occasion, or simply as a daily indulgence, these homemade donuts will quickly become a favorite in your household.
Making homemade donuts can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Plus, you can customize the glaze and toppings to suit your tastes—there are endless possibilities!
Conclusion
With this super soft glazed donuts recipe, you can enjoy the deliciousness of fresh homemade donuts without the need for a deep fryer. Whether you choose to fry or bake them, the result is the same: soft, fluffy, and irresistible glazed donuts that are perfect for any occasion. So why not treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of these sweet, melt-in-your-mouth donuts today?
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