How to Make Glazed Donuts from Scratch
Glazed donuts are a classic dessert that has been a staple in bakeries and cafes for decades. These sweet treats are made with a simple dough of flour, sugar, and yeast, and then deep-fried to a golden brown perfection. But what makes glazed donuts truly special is the glaze, which is made from a mixture of powdered sugar, milk, and sometimes a bit of corn syrup. In this article, we will show you how to make glazed donuts from scratch, step by step.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make glazed donuts from scratch:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of whole milk
- 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
- Powdered sugar for glazing
- Milk for glazing
Step 1: Make the Dough
To make the dough, we’ll need to combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and melted butter.
Making the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Whisk together the milk, eggs, and melted butter in a separate bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Glaze
To make the glaze, we’ll need to combine the powdered sugar, milk, and sometimes a bit of corn syrup in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and corn syrup until smooth.
Making the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth.
- If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more milk. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Step 3: Fry the Donuts
To fry the donuts, we’ll need to heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (180°C). Once the oil is hot, we’ll need to carefully place the dough into the oil and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the donuts are golden brown.
Frying the Donuts:
- Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (180°C).
- Carefully place the dough into the oil and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the donuts are golden brown.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Glaze the Donuts
Once the donuts are fried, we’ll need to glaze them with the powdered sugar glaze. To do this, simply brush the glaze onto the donuts using a pastry brush.
Glazing the Donuts:
- Brush the powdered sugar glaze onto the donuts using a pastry brush.
- If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more milk. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Tips and Variations
- To make the donuts more crispy, you can chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before frying.
- To make the donuts more moist, you can add a bit more milk to the dough.
- To make the glaze more sticky, you can add a bit more powdered sugar.
- To make the donuts more flavorful, you can add a bit of vanilla extract or cinnamon to the dough.
Conclusion
Making glazed donuts from scratch is a fun and rewarding process that requires just a few ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment. With these simple steps, you can create delicious glazed donuts that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, we hope this article has inspired you to try making glazed donuts from scratch.
Table: Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Whole milk | 1/2 cup |
| Active dry yeast | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Unsalted butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Powdered sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk | 1/4 cup |
Table: Glaze Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk | 1/4 cup |
| Corn syrup | 1 tablespoon |
Table: Donut Frying Instructions
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Heat oil to 350°F (180°C) |
| 2 | Fry donuts for 2-3 minutes on each side |
| 3 | Remove donuts from oil and place on paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil |
| 4 | Brush glaze onto donuts using pastry brush |
| 5 | If glaze is too thick, add milk. If glaze is too thin, add powdered sugar |