The perfect donut glaze recipe is essential to any home baker and with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be on your way!
There are few things better than a good glazed donut. That sweet layer of sugary goodness makes a good donut simply irresistible. This donut glaze recipe is easy to prepare and oh so delicious. The best part – you can switch it up into a variety of flavors by replacing the milk with your favorite fruit juice or swapping the vanilla with other extracts or citrus zest.
Why This Recipe Works
- Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the glaze.
- A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
I’ve used this recipe for years on my 5 Star rated Chocolate Glazed Donuts. It’s one of the most popular recipes on the site, it’s been shared on social over 8000 times!
Pictured: my chocolate glazed donuts.
Ingredient Notes
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, confectioner’s sugar, or icing sugar, can all be used interchangeably.
- Milk: I use full fat milk, but you can use anything from skimmed milk to cream or non dairy milk alternatives.
- Vanilla Extract: You can use any vanilla you like such as vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, but please note that some vanilla extracts or flavoring will add a brown hue to the glaze, so if you want a pure white glaze, use clear vanilla (paid link).
- Salt: I use a pinch of salt in my recipe for donut glaze as I like the way it cuts the sweetness ever so slightly. This is an optional ingredient.
How To Make Donut Glaze
Start with adding the confectionery sugar to a bowl. If your’s is a little lumpy, you can sift it into the bowl to eliminate any lumps in your glaze.
Next, add the milk or cream.
Followed by the vanilla.
Then mix until smooth and fluid.
Use to glaze your favorite donuts.
Make ahead and Freezing Instructions
- You can make this donut glaze ahead, just cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you need to use it. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before use and stir to loosen before using.
- I do not recommend freezing donut glaze.
Tips & Variations
- If you prefer a pure white glaze, use a clear vanilla extract.
- Be sure to sift your confectioner’s sugar before combining it with the milk and vanilla extract, this will ensure you have no lumps.
- You can switch this recipe into a variety of flavors by replacing the milk with your favorite fruit juice or swapping the vanilla with other extracts or citrus zest.
FAQs
If your glaze is lumpy, this might be that the powdered sugar had clumps, it’s best to sift the sugar before using to avoid this.
Yes, donut glaze does harden. Once you’ve glazed the donuts, leave them for a while for the glaze to set.
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Let’s Make Donut Glaze Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Confectionery sugar sifted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 10 to 12 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix until smooth.
To Glaze Donuts:
- Place baking paper under wire racks (to catch the excess glaze). Coat the donuts with the glaze by dunking them into the glaze. Place the glazed donuts on the wire rack to set.
Carol Lina Wilson says
Just came across your page and was curious if there would be a way to add some chocolate powder to this recipe to make it into a chocolate glaze instead?
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Carol! Glad you found me! 😊 You can definitely add chocolate powder to the glaze to make a chocolate version! I’d recommend starting by adding 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the glaze ingredients. Mix it in with the confectionery sugar before adding the milk or cream, and adjust the amount of liquid as needed to reach the desired consistency. This will give you a delicious chocolate glaze that’s perfect for your donuts! Please let me know how they turn out!
Zach says
overall good recipe. the portions are WAY off though. had to add double the cream to get the right consistency. great result once I did though!
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Zach. Thank you so much for the feedback! I am glad you loved the recipe after getting the desired consistency.
Mike K says
easy to make and delisious,I make a batch once a week and this glaze rocks
Erren's Kitchen says
Mike, that is AWESOME!! It is great that you love them so much to make them often. Thank you for giving them a try and leaving feedback!
Mike K says
my wife won’t make glazed doughnuts?so I make them?this glaze is easy to make and tastes perfect
Erren's Kitchen says
So glad you love the taste!! Thank you for giving it a try and taking the time to leave feedback! 😊
John Mitchell says
I like the recipe and it made it look so easy
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you, John! So glad you like it!
JadedFan says
Because the recipe contains milk, do I need to refrigerate my donuts after glazing?
Erren's Kitchen says
Great question! The glaze in this recipe contains milk, but since the amount is relatively small and the glaze is sugar-based, it is not strictly necessary to refrigerate the donuts after glazing.
If you intend to keep the glazed donuts for an extended period or if your kitchen tends to be warm, you may choose to refrigerate them to prolong freshness. Before serving, you can bring them back to room temperature or warm them up slightly.
Enjoy!!
Sam Preissler says
Never could get glaze to harden. Even when pasty it ran. off donuts. Why won’t it harden?
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Sam. I am sorry it did not work out for you. The glaze might not be hardening because it’s too thin. To help it set properly, try these tips:
Make sure the glaze is thick enough. If it’s too runny, add more confectioner’s sugar a little at a time until it reaches a thicker, paste-like consistency. This will help it stick to the donuts better.
Ensure the donuts are completely cool before glazing. If the donuts are warm, the glaze can melt and run off.
After glazing, let the donuts sit for a bit on a wire rack so the glaze has time to harden. You can even pop them in the fridge to speed up the process.
Making these adjustments should help the glaze stay on and harden properly! Please let me know if you give them another try!
Olivia Mann says
This recipe was great! Easy and delicious!
Erren Hart says
Thank you for your wonderful feedback on the recipe! It’s great to hear that you enjoy it so much!
Donna Bell says
I love this recipe so much
Erren Hart says
I appreciate your feedback, Donna and I’m glad the recipe worked well for you.
Giovanni Crotti says
This was so perfect and easy to do. Thank you so much for this recipe, whole family loved it on our mini donuts!
Erren Hart says
Your positive feedback is much appreciated, Giovanni! I’m glad the recipe worked out for you. 🙂