If you’ve ever dreamed of sinking your teeth into soft, pillowy Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) straight from your own kitchen, you’re in for a treat! This recipe unlocks the magic of that iconic melt-in-your-mouth texture and shimmering, sweet glaze, all with simple pantry staples. Imagine the look on your family’s faces when they see a tray of homemade donuts, warm and irresistible, and ready to be devoured by the dozen.

Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients are a beautiful symphony of basics, each with a starring role in creating the signature lightness, flavor, and golden glow of Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat). Don’t worry, nothing fancy here—just pure, essential ingredients working delicious wonders together!

Whole milk: Adds richness and ensures your donuts are supremely tender and soft.
Instant (quick-rise) yeast: This speedy yeast is the secret to a quick lift and fluffier donuts.
Large eggs: Bring structure and that “bread meets cake” donut crumb we all love.
Unsalted butter (melted and cooled): For incredible flavor and a dreamy, delicate texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and aids in that perfect browning when fried.
Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and deepening every flavor note.
Bread flour: This high-protein flour gives your donuts their signature chewy, pillowy bite.
Oil (for frying): Use a neutral oil for frying—canola or vegetable works great for a crispy, golden crust.
Powdered sugar: The base for your luscious glaze, melting into that iconic shiny finish.
Milk (for the glaze): Thins and smooths your glaze, making it dip-worthy.
Pinch of salt: Just a little in the glaze to keep the sweetness balanced and craveable.

How to Make Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by gently warming the milk—it should be pleasantly warm to the touch, not hot! Stir in the instant yeast and let it work its magic for about 5 minutes. You’re looking for a creamy foam to form on top, which means your yeast is awake and ready to make those donuts rise sky-high.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Bring together the yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter, granulated sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. With just a few simple motions, add in half the bread flour at first, mix until combined, then add the rest. If that dough feels a little too sticky, toss in more flour a tablespoon at a time until you’ve got a pillowy, workable dough. Let the mixer work for you—give it a good mix, then cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a cozy spot until beautifully doubled, about one hour.

Step 3: Roll and Cut

Flour your countertop and turn your dough out onto its soft, pillowy stage. Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out to half an inch in thickness. Now’s the fun part: use a donut cutter (or a big and little round cookie cutter) to shape out those iconic donuts, saving the donut holes. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut again, being careful not to overwork the dough.

Step 4: Second Rise

Lay your cut donuts onto parchment squares—this makes them super easy to transfer into the hot oil without any stretching mishaps. Cover everything with a kitchen towel and let those beauties puff up again in a cozy, warm spot for about 45 minutes. This step is what gives Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) their light, airy texture.

Step 5: Fry the Donuts

While the donuts finish rising, heat your oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot. Carefully transfer the donuts (parchment and all) into the hot oil through a gentle slide. Remove the parchment with tongs, and fry each donut for about 45 seconds per side, just until golden and puffy. The donut holes will cook even faster, so keep an eye on them! Allow the finished donuts to drain on a rack set over paper towels.

Step 6: Make the Glaze

In a large bowl, mix together powdered sugar, milk, and just a pinch of salt. Stir until silky smooth. Want a thinner glaze? Add milk a teaspoon at a time until the consistency is perfect for dipping.

Step 7: Glaze and Set

Set a cooling rack over paper towels for stress-free cleanup. Dip one side of each warm donut into your glaze (or swoosh the whole thing if you’re feeling extra indulgent), then carefully flip it and set it on the rack. The glaze will drip down and set, forming that classic, slightly crackly shell that makes Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) simply irresistible.

How to Serve Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

Garnishes

While these donuts are absolute perfection just as they are, you can jazz them up with a little sprinkle of colored sugar, a dusting of cinnamon, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate for a personal touch. If you’re celebrating, why not crown a few with rainbow sprinkles? The extra pop of color just shouts “homemade fun.”

Side Dishes

No breakfast spread (or late-night snack attack) is complete without the perfect drink pairing. Try serving your Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) with piping-hot coffee, homemade hot chocolate, or cold milk for the full experience. Fresh fruit or a simple fruit salad offers a light contrast to balance their sweet, rich crumb.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your donuts in a pyramid for a brunch centerpiece, thread a few onto skewers for a donut bouquet, or serve with an assortment of glazes and toppings so everyone can build their own dream donut. For special occasions, wrap up a few donuts in a pretty box or tin—your homemade Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) make the ultimate edible gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover donuts (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re best enjoyed within a day for that just-made taste, but will keep for up to two days before starting to lose their airy softness.

Freezing

To freeze, let your donuts cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) will keep happily in the freezer for up to two months. For best results, freeze them without the glaze, then glaze after reheating.

Reheating

Nothing revives a donut like a warm-up! Zap them for a few seconds in the microwave or warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 4–5 minutes. If you froze them unglazed, bring them to room temperature, warm gently, then dip in fresh glaze for donuts that taste like they just came off the line.

FAQs

Can I make the dough for Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) ahead of time?

Absolutely! After you mix the dough and let it rise once, you can cover and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, shape, rise, and fry as usual. This makes morning prep a breeze, and many bakers swear it deepens the flavor too.

Is it possible to make these donuts without a stand mixer?

Yes! A strong arm and a sturdy wooden spoon will do the trick just fine. It may take a bit longer by hand, but pouring your love (and elbow grease) in always pays off in the final bite.

What’s the best oil for frying Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)?

Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola or vegetable oil. Steer clear of strongly flavored oils, which can leave an aftertaste and distract from the donuts’ sweet, buttery profile.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

You can use all-purpose flour, but the donuts may be slightly less chewy and light. Bread flour’s higher protein is what helps create that “just like the original” texture in Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat).

Why didn’t my donuts rise properly?

If your donuts didn’t puff up as expected, double-check that your yeast was active (foamy after mixing with warm milk), and that the dough was kept in a warm, draft-free spot during both rises. Patience is key—don’t rush the rise!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as comforting and joyful as making Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat) from scratch. Whether it’s your first time deep-frying or you’re a seasoned pro, these homemade donuts are guaranteed to win hearts and spark smiles. Don’t wait for a special occasion—treat yourself and your loved ones to warm, fresh donuts right from your own kitchen.

Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

★★★★★

5 from 17 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: Makes about 12 donuts 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Glazed Donuts are a perfect replica of the famous Krispy Kreme donuts. They are light, fluffy, and coated in a sweet, irresistible glaze. You won’t be able to tell the difference!

Instructions

To make the donuts – In a medium bowl, heat the milk in the microwave until warm, add yeast, let sit. Beat yeast mixture, eggs, butter, sugar, salt, half of flour. Add remaining flour, mix. Let rise. Roll, cut, let rise. Fry donuts.
To make the glaze – Mix sugar, milk, salt until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner glaze.
To serve – Dip fried donuts in glaze, let set on rack.

Notes

Be careful not to overwork the dough when kneading scraps together.
Ensure oil is at the correct temperature for frying.
Add more milk to the glaze for a thinner consistency.

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 330
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 170mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: Glazed Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Copycat Recipe, Dessert, Fried Donuts