These old fashioned donuts are soft, fluffy, and perfectly golden with a lightly crisp exterior and sweet vanilla glaze. If you’ve ever wondered how to make donuts from scratch or how to make doughnut dough at home, this easy homemade donut recipe walks you through every step, from making donut dough to glazing donuts like a bakery.

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New to cooking from scratch? I’ve put together a page that explains what I share here and where to start.

Craving hot glazed donuts but don’t want to run to town? This easy doughnut recipe shows you exactly how to make old fashioned donuts at home using simple pantry doughnut ingredients. Once you learn how to make doughnut dough from scratch, you’ll never look at store-bought donuts the same way again.

How to Make Old Fashioned Donuts From Scratch

There’s something nostalgic about making donuts the old-fashioned way. No mixes. No shortcuts. Just real ingredients, a little kneading, and the reward of warm, fluffy glazed donuts cooling on parchment paper.

If you’ve ever asked:

• How do I make homemade donuts?
• How do you make homemade donuts from scratch?
• What’s the best donut recipe ever?

This is the doughnut dough recipe you’ve been looking for.

These homemade yeast donuts are light and airy, not dense, with that classic bakery-style texture and glossy vanilla glaze.

Why I Love This Old-Fashioned Glazed Donut Recipe

• Truly fluffy glazed donuts, not heavy or dense
• Easy homemade donuts with simple ingredients
• Teaches you how to make doughnut dough step-by-step
• A tested doughnut dough recipe that turns out every time
• Better than any original glazed donut recipe from the store
• This recipe of making donuts feels old-fashioned in the best way. Simple, homemade, and comforting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make the best old-fashioned glazed donuts:

For the Dough:

• ¾ cup water – warm, not hot, to activate the yeast.
• 1 ½ teaspoons yeast – active dry or instant.
• 2 tablespoons sugar – just enough sweetness for the dough.
• 2 tablespoons butter (softened) – adds richness and flavor.
• ¾ teaspoon salt – balances sweetness.
• 2 cups + 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour – the perfect amount for soft, fluffy donuts.

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Coconut oil for frying. You can substitute for lard, shortening, or any of your favorite frying oils.

Ingredient Tips

• Water temperature matters: 105–110°F is ideal. Too hot and it kills the yeast.
• Yeast: Make sure it’s fresh and foamy before proceeding.
• Flour: Add gradually so your dough doesn’t become dense.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla gives the best flavor when glazing donuts.
• Shortening vs oil: Traditional old fashioned donuts were often fried in shortening, but neutral oil works perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Donut Dough

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.

If it doesn’t foam, start over. This step ensures your doughnut dough recipes turn out light and fluffy.

Step 2: Make the Doughnut Dough

Add butter, salt, and flour.

Mix until combined, then knead for:

• 6–8 minutes by hand
• 4–5 minutes with a stand mixer

The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky, not sticky.

Kneading properly is key to how to make great donuts.

Step 3: First Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise 30 minutes – 1 hour or until doubled.

This develops that airy structure that keeps donuts from becoming dense.

Step 4: Shape the Donuts

Roll dough to about ⅓-inch thickness.

Cut using a donut cutter or round cutters. Place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

Step 5: Second Rise

Cover loosely and let rise again for 30–40 minutes or until doubled in size.

This step ensures fluffy glazed donuts and helps them cook evenly.

Step 6: Fry the Donuts

Heat oil to 350°F.

Carefully fry 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.

Do not overcrowd the pan, that helps them cook evenly.

Transfer to a wire baking rack to drain.

Step 7: Glazing Donuts

To make glaze for donuts:

Whisk confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Dip warm donuts into glaze and place on parchment paper or wire rack.

Let set for several minutes.

Now you have hot glazed donuts, bakery style.

Substitutions & Variations

• Bake instead of fry: Preheat oven to 375°F and bake 10–12 minutes (texture will differ).
• Cinnamon sugar coating: Skip glaze and toss in a cinnamon sugar mixture after frying.
• Chocolate glaze: Add cocoa powder to the glaze mixture.
• Maple glaze: Swap vanilla for maple extract.
• Dairy-free: Use plant milk and dairy-free butter.

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Best within:

• 24 hours for peak freshness
• Up to 2 days

After that, they may become slightly dense.

Reheating Tips

To bring donuts back to life:

• Microwave 8–10 seconds
• Or warm in oven at 300°F for 5 minutes

This helps restore that soft texture.

FAQs

Other Recipes You’ll Love

If you love the sweet, nostalgic taste of these old-fashioned glazed donuts, here are a few more recipes from my kitchen that I know you’ll enjoy:

• Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks – Soft, fluffy, and brushed with buttery garlic parmesan goodness. Perfect for pairing with pasta night!
• Cinnamon Peach Preserves – Sweet, spiced peaches in a jar that taste like summer. Delicious spread over biscuits or warm bread.
• Fresh Milled Pizza Dough – The ultimate homemade pizza crust recipe, chewy on the inside with a crisp golden edge.
• Triple Chocolate Sourdough – Rich, fudgy, and loaded with chocolate flavor. A decadent treat you’ll want on repeat.
• Best Homemade Meatloaf Recipe – A savory, classic comfort food dinner that’s juicy, flavorful, and always a family favorite.

There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about a homemade old-fashioned glazed donut. Simple ingredients, a little time, and you can have the most soft, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth donuts right in your own kitchen. They’re perfect for weekend baking, sharing with family, or just treating yourself to a sweet bite of comfort.

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