If you’ve ever wished you could bring that iconic melt-in-your-mouth experience home, you’re in for a treat: Homemade Krispy Kreme doughnuts are shockingly achievable—and taste like sweet nostalgia in every bite. Picture a cloud-light yeast dough, perfectly golden, dressed in a glossy vanilla-scented glaze that cracks ever so gently when you take a bite. This is the ultimate guide to recreating those celebrated doughnuts from scratch, right in your own kitchen, with amazing results that just might have you skipping the donut shop altogether.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When it comes to the magic of Homemade Krispy Kreme, the ingredients are humble, but each one brings vital character to the final doughnut. Let’s walk through how these pantry staples come together to create something undeniably special.
- Active dry yeast: This is the secret to those fluffy, airy doughnuts—make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
- Warm water (110°F): Crucial to waking up the yeast, just warm enough to touch but not hot.
- Warm milk (110°F): Adds rich flavor and helps make the dough tender and soft.
- Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough for genuine donut shop flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors—never skip it!
- Egg: Provides structure and helps the dough stay light.
- Shortening: Gives that classic, melt-in-your-mouth crumb (substitute with butter if you prefer, but shortening nails the texture).
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough; measure carefully for just the right amount of lift.
- Vegetable oil (for frying): Light, neutral oil ensures your doughnuts fry up golden and crisp without overwhelming flavor.
- Powdered sugar (for the glaze): Dissolves into creamy perfection, blanketing every doughnut in sweetness.
- Whole milk (for the glaze): Creates a smooth glaze that coats each doughnut beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (for the glaze): Rounds out the glaze with warm, comforting aroma.
How to Make Homemade Krispy Kreme
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start your Homemade Krispy Kreme journey by dissolving the active dry yeast in warm water. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, until it looks foamy and alive. This little miracle is what gives your doughnuts their legendary pillow-soft texture, so don’t rush! If the yeast doesn’t foam, it might be time for a new packet.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening, and just one cup of your flour. Pour in the freshly bubbled yeast mixture and stir until everything is silky smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour a little at a time, mixing gently, until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms. It should be elastic without sticking all over your hands.
Step 3: First Rise
Cover the mixing bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place it somewhere cozy and draft-free. Now let the magic happen: the dough rises for an hour to an hour and a half, or until doubled in size. You’ll know it’s ready when you gently press a finger into the dough and it barely springs back. This patient pause is what develops that incredible yeast flavor.
Step 4: Roll & Cut the Doughnuts
Dust your counter lightly with flour and turn out your dough. Using a rolling pin, flatten it to a half-inch thickness. Take a doughnut cutter or a pair of biscuit cutters (one large, one small) and cut out those classic doughnut rings and holes. Gently place them on parchment paper, giving them enough space to puff up again. The leftover dough can be rerolled once or twice for extra rings or just keep them as doughnut holes!
Step 5: Second Rise
Drape a towel loosely over the doughnuts and let them relax and rise again for another 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise ensures every Homemade Krispy Kreme doughnut fries up light as air and beautifully puffed. You’ll see them expand and get silky smooth on the surface.
Step 6: Fry the Doughnuts
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Carefully lower a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil, letting them cook for about a minute on each side until golden and delectable. Flip them using chopsticks or a slotted spoon for a gentle touch, and watch as they turn that iconic, irresistible golden color. Drain them briefly on paper towels.
Step 7: Glaze to Perfection
While the doughnuts are still just warm, whisk together powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla until you’ve got a glossy, pourable glaze. Dip each doughnut quickly—covering both sides for that ultimate Krispy Kreme experience—and set them on a wire rack to set. Resist the urge to touch them until the glaze sets into that all-too-familiar, delicate sheen.
How to Serve Homemade Krispy Kreme
Garnishes
A fresh, homemade Krispy Kreme is so good it barely needs help—but if you’re feeling playful, a few creative touches can make them extra special. Try a scattering of rainbow sprinkles while the glaze is still sticky, or dust a few with powdered sugar. Craving a fancier finish? Dip half into melted chocolate or white chocolate and add some crushed nuts or freeze-dried raspberries for a gourmet flair.
Side Dishes
Serve these heavenly doughnuts with a tall glass of icy cold milk or a piping hot mug of coffee—the choices that make every bite even dreamier. For a fun brunch, pair your Homemade Krispy Kreme doughnuts with fresh fruit salad or classic scrambled eggs for a sweet-savory balance your friends and family will love.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving these for a party or brunch, pile the doughnuts high on a pretty cake stand or stack them in a doughnut tower for major wow-factor. Individual paper sleeves or mini boxes tied with ribbon make adorable favors for birthdays and showers. And don’t forget the little ones: serve doughnut holes in colorful paper cups so everyone gets in on the fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While Homemade Krispy Kreme doughnuts are truly at their best fresh, they’ll keep nicely in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. Simply line your container with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture and keep the texture soft and luscious.
Freezing
For longer storage, let the doughnuts cool completely and skip glazing until you’re ready to eat. Lay them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to two months. When you’re craving a doughnut, just thaw at room temperature and whip up a quick fresh glaze—you’ll be back in doughnut heaven in minutes.
Reheating
Nothing beats a warm doughnut! To revive a stored or thawed Homemade Krispy Kreme, microwave each doughnut for about 10 seconds until just warm, or pop them in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This gentle warming restores their pillowy texture and helps the glaze get just a tad gooey, just like when they’re freshly made.
FAQs
Can I make the dough the night before?
Absolutely! After the first rise, cover the dough and place it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, roll, cut, and let the doughnuts rise for their final puff before frying. This trick fits perfectly into a busy schedule and actually lets the flavors develop more fully.
What if I don’t have a doughnut cutter?
No doughnut cutter? No problem. Use a wide-mouthed glass or jar for the outsides and a smaller bottle cap or shot glass for the holes. Your Homemade Krispy Kreme doughnuts will still come out wonderfully authentic in taste and texture.
Can I bake instead of fry these doughnuts?
For true Krispy Kreme magic, frying is key for that delicate golden crust and signature flavor. Baking will yield a soft, bready roll rather than a classic doughnut, but if you must, bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, then dip in glaze while still hot.
How do I get that perfectly smooth glaze?
Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until totally silky, with zero lumps. If your glaze seems too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time. If too thin, a touch more powdered sugar does the trick. Dip doughnuts while they’re still warm for flawless glaze coverage!
What can I do with the doughnut holes?
Those doughnut holes are just as irresistible as the rings. Fry them until golden, toss in glaze or cinnamon sugar, and serve in little bowls or bags for the ultimate poppable treat. Kids (and adults!) will swoon.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like making a batch of Homemade Krispy Kreme doughnuts to fill your kitchen with happiness and the sweet scent of fresh pastry. Give this recipe a try, share it with your loved ones, and savor every warm, sugary bite—you’ll discover just how easy and joyful homemade doughnuts can be!
Print
Homemade Krispy Kreme Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 doughnuts plus holes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious homemade Krispy Kreme style glazed doughnuts with this easy recipe. These fluffy and sweet treats are perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Doughnuts:
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons warm water (110°F)
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 2½ tablespoons shortening
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
- vegetable oil for frying
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening, and 1 cup of the flour. Add the yeast mixture and mix until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
- Rise the dough: Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape and fry: Roll out the dough, cut out doughnut shapes, let rise again, then fry in oil until golden brown.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Dip the warm doughnuts in the glaze and let set on a wire rack.
Notes
- For a chocolate glaze, substitute 2 tablespoons of milk with unsweetened cocoa powder.
- These doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
