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Home || Recipes || Dessert || Donuts || Donut Glaze

Donut Glaze

May 17, 2023 · Leave a Comment

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If you’re making homemade donuts, finish the job right with a delicious glaze. Opulent and simple, this donut glaze recipe gets top marks.

Aerial view of glazed donuts on a wire cooling rack.

Donut Glaze Recipe

Remember those childhood (or last weekend-hood) visits to the local bakery where you would wait in long lines just to sink your teeth into a sugary glazed donut? This glazed donut recipe is your ticket to recreate those memories from the comfort of your own kitchen. The best part is the donuts are always warm, you don’t have to stand in line, and your favorite donut is never sold out.

If you’re ready to enjoy warm, gooey, fluffy donuts at your leisure, this glaze recipe for donuts is one you’ll need in your arsenal.

Side view of freshly glazed donuts on a wire rack.

4 simple ingredients needed for this donut glaze recipe

  • Butter – You can also use margarine if you’d prefer. 
  • Powdered sugar – You have to use powdered sugar here! No other sugar will get the job done. 
  • Vanilla extract – This recipe is amazing because you can flavor it with whatever extract you’d like. I love vanilla, but you could also do almond, cake batter, lemon – the possibilities are endless! You can also add food coloring if you’d like. 
  • Heavy cream, milk or water (you choose!) Do you know Krispy Kreme actually uses water in their glaze? I personally like to use heavy cream because it gives your donuts a thicker coating of glaze, but don’t be afraid to try the other options!
Donut glaze ingredients prior to being heated up in the microwave.

How to make this donut glaze recipe

  1. In a microwave safe bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine the melted butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
  2. Add a small amount of liquid (heavy cream, milk or water) to help bring the mixture together, mixing until smooth.
  3. Add more liquid to thin the glaze. The glaze should be too thin to hold shape if you were to try and pipe it, but still thick enough that it wouldn’t spill off the sides of a cupcake.
  4. Place the glaze in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  5. Stir smooth and glaze your donuts while the glaze is warm and thin. The glaze will harden on your donut after about 5 minutes. 
  6. If you need a good homemade donut recipe, try my homemade fried donuts!
A donut sits in a bowl of glaze.

How do I store my donut glaze and how long will it last?

Store your donut glaze in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. When you are ready to use it, reheat it in the microwave and you’re good to go!

How do I get my donut glaze to be shiny and smooth?

Air bubbles will naturally happen when heating up the icing. Stirring slowly will help pop the bubbles before you glaze your donuts.

Close up of a glazed donut on a glass plate. The donut has one bite out of it. At the top it says "Donut glaze"

Recipes Like Glaze for Donuts

  • Fried Donuts
  • Cinnamon Roll Icing without Cream Cheese
A glazed donut with a bite out of it on a wire cooling rack. In the background you can see additional donuts.

Donut Glaze

If you’re making homemade donuts, finish the job right with a delicious glaze. Opulent and simple, this donut glaze recipe gets top marks.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Donut Glaze Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 -16 Donuts
Calories: 94kcal
Author: Karli Bitner

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Heavy cream, milk or water as needed

Instructions

  • In a microwave safe bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine the butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
  • Add a small amount of liquid (heavy cream, milk or water) to help bring the mixture together, mixing until smooth.
  • Add more liquid to thin the glaze. The glaze should be too thin to hold shape if you were to try and pipe it, but still thick enough that it wouldn’t spill off the sides of a cupcake.
  • Place the glaze in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Stir smooth and glaze your donuts while the glaze is warm and thin.
  • If you need a good donut recipe, try my homemade fried donuts!
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingwithkarli or tag #cookingwithkarli!

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg

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This blog is a little glimpse into my kitchen, family & life. I hope you’ll giggle the days away with me and enjoy the craziness that goes on at my house. There isn’t ever a shortage of crazy. I can promise you that! Buckle up, keep your hand and legs inside at all times and enjoy the ride! Read more...

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This blog is a little glimpse into my kitchen, family & life. I hope you’ll giggle the days away with me and enjoy the craziness that goes on at my house. If you are Cookie obsessed like I am, check out my Sister Site, Cookies for Days.

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