These homemade yeast glazed donuts are light, fluffy, and perfectly sweetened, making them a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert. With a simple dough made from yeast, flour, and sugar, these donuts are fried to golden perfection and finished with a sweet glaze.
The recipe is straightforward and requires basic baking techniques. You can customize the glaze with different flavors or toppings to suit your taste.
Creating the Perfect Yeast Glazed Donuts
Making yeast glazed donuts at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with delightful aromas. The process begins with activating the yeast, which is essential for achieving that light and airy texture.
Combining warm milk with yeast allows it to froth, signaling that it’s ready to work its magic. This step is crucial, as it sets the foundation for the fluffy donuts that everyone loves.
Once the yeast is activated, mixing in melted butter, sugar, and eggs creates a rich base for the dough. The addition of vanilla extract enhances the flavor, making each bite a little sweeter.
Incorporating flour and salt gradually helps form a soft dough that will rise beautifully. Kneading the dough is another important step, as it develops the gluten, giving the donuts their structure.
After kneading, the dough needs to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which usually takes about an hour. This is when the yeast does its job, creating those airy pockets that make the donuts so delightful.
Shaping and Frying the Donuts
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape the donuts. Rolling out the dough to the right thickness is key; about half an inch works perfectly.
A donut cutter makes it easy to create uniform shapes, and don’t forget to save the holes! They can be fried up as tasty little bites, too.
After cutting, the shaped donuts need a second rise. Covering them with a cloth allows them to puff up even more, ensuring a light texture once fried. This second rise typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
Frying to Golden Perfection
Frying the donuts is where the magic happens. Heating oil to the right temperature is essential; around 350°F (175°C) is ideal for achieving that perfect golden brown color.
Fry the donuts in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Each side should take about 1-2 minutes to cook, resulting in a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
After frying, it’s important to drain the donuts on paper towels to remove excess oil. This step helps keep the donuts light and not overly greasy.
Glazing for Sweetness
The final touch is the glaze, which adds a sweet finish to the donuts. A simple mixture of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract creates a smooth glaze that complements the donuts perfectly.
Dipping the warm donuts into the glaze allows it to adhere beautifully, creating a shiny exterior. Letting the excess drip off ensures that the glaze is just right—not too thick, not too thin.
For a fun twist, consider adding colorful sprinkles on top of the glaze. This not only adds a pop of color but also a bit of crunch to each bite.
Serving and Enjoying Your Donuts
Once glazed, the donuts can be served immediately or stored for later enjoyment. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, making for a cozy breakfast or snack.
Arranging the donuts on a rustic wooden platter adds to the charm of your presentation. The golden brown donuts glistening with glaze, some adorned with sprinkles, create an inviting scene.
Whether you’re sharing with family or enjoying a quiet moment alone, these homemade yeast glazed donuts are sure to bring a smile to your face. Each bite is a delightful combination of sweetness and warmth, perfect for any occasion.
Delicious Yeast Glazed Donuts Recipe

This recipe yields soft and airy donuts that are fried until golden brown and coated in a sweet glaze. It takes about 2 hours from start to finish, including rising time, and makes approximately 12 donuts.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Add the frothy yeast mixture and mix well.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape Donuts: Punch down the dough and roll it out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out donuts and holes. Place them on a floured baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped donuts with a cloth and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Fry Donuts: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches for about 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the warm donuts into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place on a wire rack to set.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Rising Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12 donuts
- Calories: 190kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g