These homemade doughnuts are soft, airy, and incredibly satisfying—just like the ones from your favorite bakery. The touch of nutmeg adds that unmistakable classic flavor, and the simple glaze makes them shine. Whether you’re baking on a quiet morning or treating family and friends, this is a recipe worth repeating.
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Bakery-style texture: Pillowy soft with a slightly crisp edge from frying.
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Simple ingredients: Everything is pantry-friendly.
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That glaze! Sweet, buttery, and sets beautifully.
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Perfect for weekends, holidays, or anytime you’re craving something special.
Ingredients
Doughnuts:
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1¼ cups whole milk, warmed (about 110°F / 43°C)
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2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
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3½ cups all-purpose flour
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⅓ cup granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended)
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3 tablespoons shortening (or neutral oil), melted
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1 large egg
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Oil, for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
Glaze:
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⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 cups powdered sugar
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1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
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4 tablespoons milk (or water), warmed
Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
In a small jug or bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, whisk together:
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Flour
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Sugar
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Salt
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Nutmeg
Set aside.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients
To the foamy yeast mixture, add:
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Melted shortening
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Egg
Whisk together until fully combined.
4. Make the Dough
Add the wet mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients in the stand mixer.
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Mix on low speed until the dough begins to form.
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Increase to medium-high speed and knead for 5–7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky.
Tip: The dough should pull away cleanly from the bowl but still feel soft.
5. First Rise
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Lightly oil a large bowl.
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Transfer the dough to the bowl, turning once to coat.
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Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel.
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Let it rise in a warm place for 1½ to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the Doughnuts
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Lightly flour your work surface.
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Roll out the dough to ½ inch thickness.
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Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small) to cut out doughnut rings.
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Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Optional: Save the doughnut holes and fry them too!
7. Second Rise
Cover the shaped doughnuts with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for 30–45 minutes, or until puffy and nearly doubled.
8. Prepare the Glaze
In a bowl, combine:
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Melted butter
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Powdered sugar
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Vanilla
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Warm milk
Whisk until smooth and set aside.
Tip: For a thinner glaze, add an extra tablespoon of milk. For a thicker coating, reduce the milk slightly.
9. Fry the Doughnuts
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In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat at least 2 inches of oil to 360°F (182°C).
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Carefully lower 2–3 doughnuts at a time into the oil.
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Fry for 1–2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
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Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a cooling rack set over a tray or paper towels.
10. Glaze the Doughnuts
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While still warm, dip each doughnut into the glaze.
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Let excess drip off and return to the rack.
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Allow glaze to set for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips & Variations
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Nutmeg: It’s subtle but gives that “classic doughnut shop” aroma and taste.
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Flavored glaze? Try swapping vanilla extract for almond, maple, or lemon.
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Filled doughnuts: Skip the center hole and fill cooled doughnuts with custard, jam, or Nutella.
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Baked version: These are best fried, but you can bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, then glaze.
️ Storage
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Best enjoyed fresh!
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Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days.
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Glazed doughnuts don’t freeze well, but the unglazed, fried doughnuts can be frozen and reheated.
Nutrition (Per Doughnut – Approximate)
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Calories: ~250
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Carbs: ~30g
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Protein: ~4g
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Fat: ~12g
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Sugar: ~15g
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Sodium: ~180mg
❤️ Final Thoughts
These doughnuts are more than just a treat—they’re a baking experience. From that pillowy rise to the buttery glaze, every step brings bakery-quality results right to your kitchen.
Let me know if you’d like this turned into a printable PDF or paired with a chocolate or maple glaze alternative!
✨ Enjoy every fluffy bite!
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