Making Homemade Krispy Kreme Donuts at home is a dream for donut lovers! While you might not have the exact same machinery that Krispy Kreme uses, you can definitely make soft, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth donuts that come close. Here’s a recipe for homemade donuts with a glaze similar to the iconic Krispy Kreme flavor!
Ingredients:
For the Donuts:
- 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup water (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional for flavor)
- Vegetable oil for frying (enough to fill a deep pot or fryer)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk (more if needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir lightly and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, water, vanilla extract, and nutmeg (if using) to the flour mixture.
- Pour in the activated yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour (but don’t add too much, as the dough should remain soft).
2. Let the Dough Rise:
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
3. Shape the Donuts:
- Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness.
- Use a round cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out the donut shapes. For the holes in the middle, use a smaller cutter or a bottle cap to make the center hole. (You can also make filled donuts by skipping the hole and adding filling later).
- Place the shaped donuts on a floured baking sheet or tray, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffed up and nearly doubled.
4. Fry the Donuts:
- In a large pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). You want the oil deep enough to submerge the donuts completely.
- Carefully drop a few donuts into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. They should puff up quickly, so keep an eye on them.
- Remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
5. Prepare the Glaze:
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Add more milk if needed to get the desired glaze consistency (it should be thin enough to dip the donuts, but not too runny).
6. Glaze the Donuts:
- While the donuts are still warm, dip each one into the glaze, making sure it’s coated evenly. For a thicker glaze, dip the donuts twice. Let any excess glaze drip off.
- Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to let the glaze set.
Tips:
- Make the Donuts Light & Fluffy: Be careful not to overwork the dough, as it can result in dense donuts. Handle the dough gently and let it rise properly.
- Glaze Variation: You can add a bit of maple extract to the glaze for a maple glaze version, or try a chocolate glaze for a different twist.
- Filling Options: If you want to make filled donuts, pipe your choice of filling (like cream, jelly, or custard) into the donuts after they’ve been fried, using a piping bag with a small nozzle.
Enjoy!
These homemade Krispy Kreme-style donuts are incredibly soft, fluffy, and have that perfect glaze that everyone loves. It’s a treat that’ll be hard to resist fresh out of the fryer! Would you like any specific variations or tips for decorating?
