This Krispy Kreme Glazed Donut recipe is my way of bringing that famous donut shop flavor right into my kitchen. They’re golden, light, and coated in the silkiest glaze. I love how they taste just like the original and fill the whole house with the best smell.
Why This Recipe Works
We love homemade treats that taste like they came straight from a bakery, and these Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts are truly irresistible. Here’s why this recipe works:
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: The dough is rich with milk, butter, and eggs, creating that light and airy bite everyone loves. Each donut practically melts in your mouth.
- Perfect Vanilla Glaze: The warm milk and butter trick gives the glaze a silky finish without that powdered sugar aftertaste. It’s smooth, sweet, and perfectly glossy.
- Simple and Reliable: Even if you have never made donuts before, this recipe walks you through every step clearly. With proper yeast activation and a few easy techniques, you’ll get perfect results every time.
- Fun Family Activity: Making donuts together is pure joy. From cutting the dough to dipping in glaze, it’s a fun, hands-on project everyone can help with.
- Bakery Worthy at Home: The smell alone will make your kitchen feel like a donut shop. Fresh, warm, and homemade, these donuts are proof that the best sweets are the ones you make yourself, a lot like my Cinnamon Rolls.
Tried it? Tap the stars and let me know how it went. I ❤️ reading your feedback!
Ingredients
- Whole Milk and Water – Warm milk and a touch of water activate the yeast and bring moisture to the dough, giving these donuts their signature light and fluffy texture.
- Active Dry Yeast – The key to that perfect rise. Blooming the yeast ensures it’s alive and ready to create those soft, pillowy donuts that melt in your mouth.
- All-Purpose Flour – A classic base that keeps the texture soft yet structured. It’s sturdy enough for frying while still producing that tender, airy crumb.
- Eggs – They add richness, color, and a hint of sweetness, making the dough soft and velvety. Eggs also help bind everything together beautifully.
- Butter – Softened butter gives the dough a rich, smooth texture and that bakery-style flavor. It’s also used in the glaze to add a silky, glossy finish.
- Sugar and Salt – Sugar sweetens and feeds the yeast, while salt balances the flavors and enhances the buttery richness of the dough.
- Oil for Frying – A neutral oil ensures even cooking and crisp edges without overpowering the delicate vanilla flavor of the glaze.
- Vanilla Glaze – Made with butter, warm milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, this smooth glaze coats each donut perfectly, creating that iconic glossy finish that cracks slightly when you bite in.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a bowl, mix warm milk, water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 15 minutes until foamy and activated.
- Make Dough: In a stand mixer, combine flour, eggs, sugar, and salt. Slowly pour in the yeast mixture while mixing on low speed. Add softened butter one cube at a time, then knead with a dough hook for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let Rise: Lightly oil a large bowl, add the dough, and turn it to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Shape Donuts: Roll the dough to ½-inch thickness. Cut out donuts and holes, then place on parchment paper. Cover with a towel and let rise again for 20–30 minutes until puffy.
- Fry: Heat neutral oil to 375°F. Fry the donuts in batches for 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
- Make Glaze: Melt butter with milk in a saucepan. Pour over powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth and glossy.
- Glaze & Cool: Dip each warm donut into the glaze, let excess drip off, and return to the rack to set. Allow to cool completely before storing or stacking.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Filling Options: I usually keep them classic with just the glaze, but you can fill them with pastry cream, strawberry jam, or Nutella for a fun surprise inside. Use a piping bag with a small round tip to fill once cooled.
- Topping Ideas: After glazing, sprinkle crushed Oreos, toasted coconut, or colorful sprinkles for a bakery-style look. You can even drizzle melted chocolate or caramel on top.
What to Serve with Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts
Breakfast & Brunch
- These Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts are a crowd favorite for breakfast or brunch. I love serving them with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a warm breakfast sandwich for a complete meal.
- They’re also perfect with Syrniki pancakes or golden waffles for a sweet and cozy weekend treat.
Drinks & Sweets
- Enjoy these soft, melt-in-your-mouth donuts with a hot cup of coffee, latte, or creamy hot chocolate. For something lighter, pair them with cold milk or a fresh fruit smoothie.
- When entertaining, I like to serve them with yogurt parfaits or a colorful fruit platter for a balanced, bakery-style brunch spread.
FAQs
Blooming the yeast helps make sure it’s alive and active before mixing it into the dough. When yeast is mixed with warm milk, water, and sugar, it should form a foamy layer after 10–15 minutes – that’s how you know it’s working. Just make sure your liquids are warm, not hot, or the heat can kill the yeast.
I always mix the dough from anywhere from 7-10 min. The best way to tell your dough is ready by pressing on it, if the indented area fills back quickly, you’re good to go. if it stays looking like a deep dimple continue kneading or mixing.
The best place to let dough rise is inside the oven with the heat turned off. Place a bowl of warm water on one of the racks to create gentle humidity and an even temperature. The enclosed space helps the dough rise more consistently. I always focus on how much the dough has risen rather than the exact time – it should double in size before moving to the next step.
Yes! It just takes a little more effort. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10–12 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when you press it lightly with your finger.
Choose an oil that can handle high heat – it should say so on the label. Avoid flavored or colored oils like grapeseed, avocado, or olive oil, since they can affect the color and taste of your donuts. I like using sunflower oil or a sunflower and coconut oil blend for frying. It’s a cleaner, lighter option than canola or vegetable oil.
For a smooth, glossy glaze, make sure to heat the milk and butter before mixing them with the powdered sugar and vanilla. Hot milk helps dissolve the sugar completely and removes that powdery aftertaste.
These donuts taste best the day they’re made but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring back their softness, warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds before serving.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Cinnamon Roll Crepes – Cinnamon Roll Crepes are a sweet and elegant twist on a breakfast favorite. They’re soft, swirled with cinnamon flavor, and perfect for a cozy morning treat or special brunch.
- Hazelnut Pavlova – Hazelnut Pavlova is a light, airy dessert that feels both fancy and effortless. With its delicate crunch and nutty sweetness, it’s a showstopper for any celebration.
- Best Walnut Shaped Cookies (Oreshki) – Walnut Shaped Cookies are a nostalgic favorite that bring charm to any dessert table. Crisp on the outside and filled with creamy sweetness, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious.
- Dulce De Leche in an Instant Pot -Dulce De Leche in an Instant Pot is the easiest way to make this caramel-like treat at home. It’s smooth, rich, and perfect for drizzling, spreading, or spooning straight from the jar.
I hope you loved this Krispy Kreme Glazed Donut recipe! If you did, please come back to leave a rating and let me know how it went. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lilyscookingandhome
Krispy Kreme Glazed Donut Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk warm
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 1/4 tsps active dry yeast
- 5 Cups all purpose flour
- 2 piece eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 stick butter softened
- neutral flavored oil for frying
For the Glaze:
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, water, sugar, and yeast. Stir well and let it sit for about 15 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.
- In a stand mixer, add the flour, eggs, sugar, and salt. Set the mixer to low speed and slowly pour in the yeast mixture. While the dough mixes, add the softened butter one cube at a time.
- Continue kneading with a dough hook for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
- Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough into it, turning to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, roll the dough out to ½-inch thickness. Cut out donut shapes with a cutter and make a hole in the center. Place them on parchment paper, cover, and let rise again for 20–30 minutes until puffy.
- Meanwhile, heat neutral oil in a large pot to 375–380°F. Fry the donuts a few at a time until golden brown on both sides. Adjust the heat as needed so they cook evenly without burning. Transfer to a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- To make the glaze, heat the butter and milk together, then pour over the powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and silky.
- Dip each warm donut into the glaze, then place on a rack to let the excess drip off. Allow the donuts to cool completely before storing.
- Enjoy your homemade Krispy Kreme-style glazed donuts!
Notes
- The quality of your ingredients makes all the difference in baking and cooking. Use good flour, butter, and active yeast for the best results. Cheaper ingredients often lead to disappointing outcomes, so always check labels to avoid hidden substitutes or additives.
- Use warm milk and water to activate the yeast properly. Let it sit until bubbly before adding to the dough.
- Add softened butter one cube at a time while mixing. This helps it blend evenly for a smooth, rich dough.
- Knead the dough until it pulls away from the bowl and feels elastic. A well-kneaded dough gives the donuts a light, airy texture.
- Keep the oil at 375–380°F. If it’s too hot, the outside will brown too fast before the inside cooks through.
- Fry a test donut first to check the temperature. Adjust the heat as needed for even golden color.
- Drain freshly fried donuts on a rack to remove extra oil before glazing.
- A simple trick that makes all the difference while making the glaze is using hot milk and butter. Warm milk dissolves the sugar smoothly and removes that powdered sugar aftertaste. The butter adds richness and gives the glaze a deeper, more flavorful finish.
- Dip each donut while still warm so the glaze sets into a smooth, glossy coating.