Description
This Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts recipe guides you through making soft, airy, and perfectly glazed doughnuts at home. Using a yeast-based dough, these treats are fried to golden perfection and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, offering an authentic bakery experience in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable shortening
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, vegetable shortening, salt, and eggs. Mix until well combined. Add the yeast mixture and 2 cups of flour to the bowl and mix on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. This process develops the gluten structure, essential for the doughnut’s texture.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. This rise makes the dough light and airy.
- Shape the Doughnuts: Once risen, roll the dough on a floured surface to about ½ inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (one large and one small) to cut out doughnuts. Re-roll scraps to cut more shapes.
- Second Rise: Place the cut doughnuts and holes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes to ensure fluffiness when fried.
- Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a thermometer is important to maintain the correct frying temperature.
- Fry the Doughnuts: Carefully add a few doughnuts to the oil and fry 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the Doughnuts: While doughnuts are warm, dip each into the glaze to coat fully. Place on a wire rack to allow glaze to set and harden slightly as it cools.
Notes
- Maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F is crucial to avoid greasy or undercooked doughnuts.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet during frying to keep oil temperature steady.
- Use a thermometer to accurately measure dough temperature and ensure proper yeast activation.
- Warm the milk to about 110°F — too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it.
- Allow doughnuts to cool slightly before glazing to prevent glaze from melting off.
