Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – Light, Fluffy & Glazed to Perfection

🎉 Introduction

Craving the soft, melt-in-your-mouth magic of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but want a homemade, pork-free, alcohol-free version? You’re in for a treat! These Homemade Krispy Kremes are pillowy, sweet, and airy, finished with that iconic glossy glaze that gently cracks with every bite.

No pork gelatin. No alcohol-based extracts. Just simple pantry ingredients and a foolproof recipe that brings the bakery to you. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack!

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional but recommended)
• Rolling pin
• Doughnut cutter or round cutters
• Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
• Cooking thermometer (for oil)
• Wire cooling rack
• Slotted spoon or spider strainer
• Baking sheet lined with paper towels

🛒 Ingredients

🍩 For the Doughnuts

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tablespoons warm water (110°F)
• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

🍯 For the Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free if needed)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk, sugar, salt, butter, and egg.
• Add in the frothy yeast mixture.
• Gradually add flour, ½ cup at a time, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
• Knead by hand for 5–7 minutes (or with a stand mixer dough hook for 3–5 minutes) until dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Roll & Cut Doughnuts

• Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface.
• Roll out to about ½-inch thickness.
• Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small) to cut out doughnuts and holes.
• Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Second Rise

• Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

Step 6: Prepare the Glaze

• In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 7: Fry the Doughnuts

• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry doughnuts in batches, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 8: Glaze the Doughnuts

• While still warm, dip each doughnut face-down into the glaze.
• Place on a wire rack to allow excess glaze to drip and set.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Yield: 12 doughnuts + holes
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Rising Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room Temperature:
  Best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Freezing:
  Freeze unglazed doughnuts for up to 1 month. Reheat and glaze fresh.
• Reheating:
  Microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore softness.

🥄 Variations

• Chocolate Glazed: Dip in a simple chocolate ganache instead of vanilla glaze.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Toss freshly fried doughnuts in cinnamon sugar.
• Filled Doughnuts: Inject with jam, custard, or cream before glazing.
• Maple Glazed: Swap vanilla for maple extract in the glaze.
• Vegan Version: Use almond milk, vegan butter, and flax egg substitute.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (texture will be slightly different).
• Matcha Glaze: Mix in matcha powder for a green tea-flavored glaze.
• Mini Doughnut Holes: Fry doughnut holes for bite-sized treats.
• Baked Version: Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes (texture will be more like a fluffy bread roll).
• Drizzle with Caramel: For an indulgent twist, drizzle caramel sauce after glazing.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I bake these instead of frying?
   Yes, but baked doughnuts will be more bread-like than the traditional airy fried texture.
2. Why are my doughnuts dense?
   Make sure the yeast is active and you allow enough rising time.
3. Do I need a doughnut cutter?
   No, use a large glass and a bottle cap for cutting.
4. Can I use bread flour?
   You can, but all-purpose flour will keep them lighter and softer.
5. How do I get the glaze to set shiny?
   Dip while warm and let them sit on a wire rack to drip and dry.
6. Is this the same as Krispy Kreme’s exact recipe?
   This is a homemade version inspired by their light, airy doughnut texture.
7. Can I make the dough the night before?
   Yes, let it rise in the fridge overnight for a slow-proof method.
8. Do I need to double fry for extra crispiness?
   Not for Krispy Kreme-style doughnuts; they’re known for their soft, tender texture.
9. Can I reduce the sugar in the dough?
   Slightly, but the glaze brings the main sweetness balance.
10. Can I make these without a stand mixer?
    Absolutely! Hand kneading will take a bit more effort but works fine.

🏁 Conclusion

These Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are light, fluffy, and dripping with a perfect vanilla glaze that cracks delicately when you take a bite. It’s the ultimate at-home indulgence that proves you don’t need pork gelatin or alcohol to enjoy bakery-quality doughnuts.

Perfect for weekend treats, family gatherings, or anytime you want to recreate that “Hot Now” Krispy Kreme magic in your own kitchen.

Adam

Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – Light, Fluffy & Glazed to Perfection

Craving the soft, melt-in-your-mouth magic of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but want a homemade, pork-free, alcohol-free version? You’re in for a treat! These Homemade Krispy Kremes are pillowy, sweet, and airy, finished with that iconic glossy glaze that gently cracks with every bite. No pork gelatin. No alcohol-based extracts. Just simple pantry ingredients and a foolproof recipe that brings the bakery to you. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Rising Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 doughnuts

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍩 For the Doughnuts

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
• 2 tablespoons warm water 110°F
• ¾ cup warm milk 110°F
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 large egg
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
• Vegetable oil for frying

🍯 For the Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract alcohol-free if needed

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional but recommended)
• Rolling Pin
• Doughnut cutter or round cutters
• Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
• Cooking thermometer (for oil)
• Wire cooling rack
• Slotted spoon or spider strainer
• Baking sheet lined with paper towels

Method

 

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

1. In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk, sugar, salt, butter, and egg.
2. Add in the frothy yeast mixture.
3. Gradually add flour, ½ cup at a time, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
4. Knead by hand for 5–7 minutes (or with a stand mixer dough hook for 3–5 minutes) until dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

1. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Roll & Cut Doughnuts

1. Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface.
2. Roll out to about ½-inch thickness.
3. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (one large, one small) to cut out doughnuts and holes.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Second Rise

1. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
2. Step 6: Prepare the Glaze
3. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 7: Fry the Doughnuts

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry doughnuts in batches, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown.
3. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 8: Glaze the Doughnuts

1. While still warm, dip each doughnut face-down into the glaze.
2. Place on a wire rack to allow excess glaze to drip and set.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Room Temperature:
Best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezing:
Freeze unglazed doughnuts for up to 1 month. Reheat and glaze fresh.

Reheating:
Microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore softness.

🥄 Variations

Chocolate Glazed: Dip in a simple chocolate ganache instead of vanilla glaze.

Cinnamon Sugar: Toss freshly fried doughnuts in cinnamon sugar.

Filled Doughnuts: Inject with jam, custard, or cream before glazing.

Maple Glazed: Swap vanilla for maple extract in the glaze.

Vegan Version: Use almond milk, vegan butter, and flax egg substitute.

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (texture will be slightly different).

Matcha Glaze: Mix in matcha powder for a green tea-flavored glaze.

Mini Doughnut Holes: Fry doughnut holes for bite-sized treats.

Baked Version: Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes (texture will be more like a fluffy bread roll).

Drizzle with Caramel: For an indulgent twist, drizzle caramel sauce after glazing.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, but baked doughnuts will be more bread-like than the traditional airy fried texture.

Why are my doughnuts dense?
Make sure the yeast is active and you allow enough rising time.

Do I need a doughnut cutter?
No, use a large glass and a bottle cap for cutting.

Can I use bread flour?
You can, but all-purpose flour will keep them lighter and softer.

How do I get the glaze to set shiny?
Dip while warm and let them sit on a wire rack to drip and dry.

Is this the same as Krispy Kreme’s exact recipe?
This is a homemade version inspired by their light, airy doughnut texture.

Can I make the dough the night before?
Yes, let it rise in the fridge overnight for a slow-proof method.

Do I need to double fry for extra crispiness?
Not for Krispy Kreme-style doughnuts; they’re known for their soft, tender texture.

Can I reduce the sugar in the dough?
Slightly, but the glaze brings the main sweetness balance.

Can I make these without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! Hand kneading will take a bit more effort but works fine.

🏁 Conclusion

These Homemade Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are light, fluffy, and dripping with a perfect vanilla glaze that cracks delicately when you take a bite. It’s the ultimate at-home indulgence that proves you don’t need pork gelatin or alcohol to enjoy bakery-quality doughnuts.

Perfect for weekend treats, family gatherings, or anytime you want to recreate that “Hot Now” Krispy Kreme magic in your own kitchen.