I still remember the first time I made homemade glazed donuts – it was a snowy Sunday morning, and I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to brave the icy roads to the bakery. That’s when I discovered how shockingly easy and delicious homemade glazed donuts can be! With just a few basic ingredients I already had in my pantry, I whipped up a batch that smelled like heaven and tasted even better. The best part? No fancy equipment needed – just a simple batter fried to golden perfection and dipped in that dreamy sweet glaze. Now these donuts are my go-to when I want to impress guests (or just treat myself) without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Easy and Delicious Homemade Glazed Donuts
Trust me, once you try making donuts at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with store-bought! Here’s why these will become your new favorite:
- Simpler than you think – No yeast, no waiting, just mix and fry!
- That fresh-from-the-fryer taste – Warm, pillowy donuts beat day-old bakery treats any day
- Customizable sweetness – Make the glaze as thick or thin as you like
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – You probably have everything already
- Instant crowd-pleaser – Watch how fast these disappear at breakfast or parties
Seriously, the smell alone is worth it – like your own personal donut shop right in the kitchen!
Ingredients for Easy and Delicious Homemade Glazed Donuts
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible donuts – I promise it’s all simple stuff you might already have!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it for perfect measurement
- 1/2 cup sugar – Plain white sugar works best here
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – Make sure it’s fresh for maximum rise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Just enough to balance the sweetness
- 3/4 cup milk – Whole milk makes them extra rich, but any kind works
- 2 eggs – Best at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons melted butter – Let it cool slightly before mixing in
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Pure vanilla makes all the difference
- Oil for frying – Vegetable or canola oil works great
- 1 cup powdered sugar – For that dreamy glaze
- 2 tablespoons milk or water – Adjust to get your perfect glaze consistency
See? Nothing fancy – just good, honest ingredients that come together magically!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you don’t need any fancy donut-making gadgets for this! Just grab these kitchen basics:
- A deep frying pan or heavy pot (I use my trusty cast iron skillet)
- Candy thermometer – Crucial for perfect frying temperature
- Mixing bowls – One for dry, one for wet ingredients
- Whisk and spoon – For mixing the batter
- Slotted spoon – To safely flip and remove donuts
- Paper towels – For draining those golden beauties
That’s it! Now let’s make some donuts!
How to Make Easy and Delicious Homemade Glazed Donuts
Preparing the Donut Batter
First, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl – this is where the magic starts! In another bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Now, here’s the key: gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until JUST combined. A few small lumps are fine – overmixing makes tough donuts. The batter should be thick but spoonable, like muffin batter. Set it aside while you heat the oil.
Frying the Donuts
Pour about 2 inches of oil into your pan and heat it to 350°F – that candy thermometer is your best friend here! When the oil’s ready, carefully drop tablespoon-sized dollops of batter into the oil (I do 3-4 at a time). They’ll puff up beautifully! Fry for about 2 minutes per side until they’re that perfect golden brown. Use your slotted spoon to flip them – you’ll see them float when they’re ready to turn. Drain them on paper towels and resist eating them all right away!
Making the Glaze
While the donuts cool slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or water) in a shallow bowl. Start with 2 tablespoons of liquid, then add more teaspoon by teaspoon until it’s pourable but still clings to a spoon. Want it thicker? Add more sugar. Thinner? More liquid. Easy peasy!
Glazing and Serving
Here’s my favorite part! Dip each warm donut into the glaze, let the excess drip off for a second, then place them on a rack. The glaze will set as they cool, but let’s be real – they’re best eaten warm, with the glaze still slightly gooey. I always “accidentally” break one right away for “quality control.” You should too!
Tips for Perfect Easy and Delicious Homemade Glazed Donuts
After making countless batches (and eating most of them), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks for donut perfection:
- Temperature is everything – Keep that oil steady at 350°F for even cooking
- Test one donut first – Adjust batter thickness or oil temp if needed
- Don’t crowd the pan – Fry in small batches so they cook evenly
- Glaze while warm – But not piping hot, or it’ll just slide right off
- Thin your glaze gradually – Better to add liquid than end up with runny glaze
And my golden rule? Always make extra – they disappear faster than you’d think!
Variations for Your Homemade Glazed Donuts
Oh, the fun you can have once you’ve mastered the basic recipe! Here are my favorite ways to mix things up:
- Cinnamon sugar – Skip the glaze and roll warm donuts in cinnamon sugar instead
- Lemon zest – Add a teaspoon to the glaze for bright, citrusy freshness
- Chocolate drizzle – Melt some chocolate chips and zigzag over glazed donuts
- Sprinkles! – Top wet glaze with colorful sprinkles before it sets
- Maple glaze – Swap half the milk in the glaze for real maple syrup
The possibilities are endless – what will you try first?
Storing and Reheating Homemade Glazed Donuts
Now, I’ll be honest – these donuts are absolutely best eaten fresh. But if you must store them (why would you have leftovers?), pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze might lose its shine, but the flavor’s still there! To bring back that just-fried magic, give them a quick 10-second zap in the microwave – just enough to warm them without making them tough. Pro tip: Store unglazed donuts separately and dip them in fresh glaze when reheating for best results!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s be real – we’re not eating donuts for their health benefits! But if you’re curious about what’s in these sweet treats, keep in mind that nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredients and brands used. The exact count depends on things like how much oil your donuts absorb during frying (I always say the crispier, the better!) and how thick you make that irresistible glaze.
These homemade glazed donuts contain all the good stuff – flour, eggs, milk, and that glorious butter that makes them so delicious. They’re definitely an occasional treat rather than an everyday breakfast, but that’s what makes them special. When I make them, I figure the joy they bring counts as its own kind of nourishment!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?
Oh, I’ve tried! While baking makes them slightly healthier, you just don’t get that same crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture. If you must bake, grease a donut pan and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes – but trust me, fried is worth it!
What oil works best for frying?
I swear by vegetable or canola oil – they have high smoke points and neutral flavors. Peanut oil works great too if you have it! Just avoid olive oil (too strong a flavor) or butter (burns too easily).
Can I freeze the donuts?
Absolutely! Freeze them unglazed on a baking sheet first, then transfer to freezer bags. When cravings hit, thaw at room temperature and dip in fresh glaze. They’ll taste almost as good as day one!
Help! My glaze is too runny/thick!
Don’t panic – glaze is super forgiving! Too thin? Add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. Too thick? Add liquid drop by drop until it’s perfect. I’ve saved many a glaze mishap this way!
Share Your Homemade Glazed Donuts
I’d love to see your donut creations! Tag me on Instagram @mykitchenadventures or leave a comment below with your results. Did you try any fun variations? Trust me, I’ll be drooling over your photos while eating my own batch!
Print
2-Ingredient Magic: Easy and Delicious Homemade Glazed Donuts
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make easy and delicious homemade glazed donuts with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or water
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown.
- Remove donuts and drain on paper towels.
- Mix powdered sugar and milk to make the glaze.
- Dip warm donuts in the glaze and let them cool.
Notes
- Use a thermometer to check oil temperature.
- Let the donuts cool slightly before glazing.
- Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: homemade donuts, glazed donuts, easy donut recipe