CopycatSpices
Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts
Light, airy, melt-in-your-mouth yeast donuts coated in a sweet, crackly glaze that dissolves on your tongue. These homemade Krispy Kreme-style glazed donuts are pillowy soft and absolutely irresistible warm.
bakery · krispy-kreme · dessert · baking
🕑Prep30 min
🍳Cook10 min
⏱Total40 min
🍽Serves12
⭐DifficultyHard
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm whole milk (105-110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1.Activate the yeast. Combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of the sugar in a large bowl. Let sit 5-7 minutes until foamy.
- 2.Make the dough. Add the remaining sugar, flour, salt, eggs, and softened butter. Mix with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on low speed for 2 minutes, then increase to medium and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth, soft, and slightly sticky. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- 3.Let it rise. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- 4.Cut the donuts. Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut with a 3-inch donut cutter (or two round cutters — one large, one small for the hole). Place on parchment-lined baking sheets and cover loosely. Let rise another 30-40 minutes until puffy and light.
- 5.Fry the donuts. Heat oil to 350°F in a Dutch oven. Fry donuts 2-3 at a time for 1-1.5 minutes per side until golden. They puff up dramatically — don't crowd the pot. Drain on a wire rack.
- 6.Make the glaze and dip. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Dip each warm donut into the glaze, flip to coat both sides, and set on a wire rack to let the glaze set. The glaze should be thin enough to drip but thick enough to coat.
Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts
Prep time: 30 minutes (plus 1.5 hours rising)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts
There is nothing in the baked goods world quite like a hot Krispy Kreme glazed donut. It practically dissolves on your tongue — impossibly light, slightly sweet, and coated in a glaze that crackles when you bite through it. The “Hot Now” sign exists because these donuts are a completely different experience when they’re fresh.
This recipe captures that ethereal lightness. The key is a well-developed yeast dough, proper rising times, and frying at the right temperature. The glaze is dead simple — powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla — but it transforms the donut into something magical.
Why Make It at Home?
A dozen Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donuts costs about $13.99. This recipe makes 12 donuts for about $3.50 in ingredients. More importantly, you can eat them the second the glaze sets while they’re still warm — no driving to the nearest Krispy Kreme and hoping the Hot Now sign is on.
Tips & Variations
- Don’t rush the second rise. After cutting, the donuts need 30-40 minutes to puff up again. If you fry them too early, they’ll be dense instead of airy.
- Oil temperature is critical. Too hot and they brown before cooking through. Too cool and they absorb oil and become greasy. Maintain 350°F and adjust the heat as you go.
- Dip while warm. The glaze adheres best to warm donuts. If the donuts cool too much, the glaze won’t stick properly.
- Double-glaze for extra sweetness. Let the first coat set for 5 minutes, then dip again for that thick, crackly glaze coating.
