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Home / Icing & Frosting

Donut Glaze Recipe

Smother your home baked donuts in this perfect sugary glaze, it may look simple, but it tastes fantastic!

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

03/25/2025
4.79 from 32 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 12
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 0 minutes mins
A bowl with a whisk filled with white donut glaze and a baked donut dipped in the glaze.

a close up image of a donut covered in an icing glaze

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The perfect donut glaze recipe is essential to any home baker and with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be on your way!

donut glaze dripping from a whisk into a bowl
Pin This Recipe For Later!

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!

two glazed donuts on a cooling rack

Pictured: my chocolate glazed donuts.

Ingredient Notes

Powdered sugar, vanilla, milk and salt
  • 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.

a pile of powdered sugar in a bowl

Next, add the milk or cream.

milk being poured onto powdered sugar

Followed by the vanilla.

a spoon of vanilla over a mixing bowl with powdered sugar in it.

Then mix until smooth and fluid.

donut glaze dripping from a whisk into a bowl

Use to glaze your favorite donuts.

a donut covered in an icing glaze

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

Why is my glaze lumpy?

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.

Does donut glaze harden?

Yes, donut glaze does harden. Once you’ve glazed the donuts, leave them for a while for the glaze to set.

Rate This Recipe

Click here to leave a star rating!

a close up image of a donut covered in an icing glaze

Recipe

Donut Glaze Recipe

Smother your home baked donuts in this perfect sugary glaze, it may look simple, but it tastes fantastic!
4.79 from 32 votes
Print
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Serves 12

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.

Tips

This recipe makes enough to glaze 12 to 15 donuts.
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Created by Erren Hart
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4.79 from 32 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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49 responses

  1. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    03/13/2023

    Thank you for leaving a comment about this recipe. Your feedback is appreciated, and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future recipes. Thanks again for trying it out and sharing your thoughts!

    Reply
  2. Maya Avatar
    Maya
    03/10/2023

    This donut glaze recipe is a game-changer! I’ve been looking for the perfect glaze recipe to top my homemade donuts, and this one did not disappoint. The glaze was easy to make and came together quickly, and the end result was a shiny and delicious glaze that perfectly coated my donuts. I especially loved the versatility of this recipe, as I could customize it with different flavors and colors to match my different batches of donuts. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe. It has definitely become a staple in my kitchen!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      03/13/2023

      Hi Maya, Thank you so much for trying out the donut glaze recipe and for sharing your wonderful feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that the glaze was easy to make and came out shiny and delicious, perfectly coating your homemade donuts. I’m glad to hear that you found the recipe versatile and could customize it with different flavors and colors to match your different batches of donuts. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe. I hope you continue to enjoy making delicious homemade donuts with this glaze recipe in the future!

      Reply
  3. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn
    03/01/2023

    Best glaze ever!!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      03/02/2023

      That’s wonderful to hear, Dawn! I appreciate the feedback! Happy baking!

      Reply
  4. Jade Avatar
    Jade
    10/24/2022

    Thank you Erren for this delicious recipe! I just made a batch and they turned out perfect. The glaze is the perfect balance of sugar and flavor.

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      10/24/2022

      I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you for trying out this recipe and for leaving such a positive review. We’re glad you enjoyed it and hope you’ll come back again soon!

      Reply
  5. Dee Hayes Avatar
    Dee Hayes
    09/23/2022

    Love It !! This recipe is perfect…. I use canned biscuits cut a hole and fry, even the flaky ones work with it …LOL glues them together. Quick & simple.

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      09/23/2022

      Thank you, Dee for your five-star review of our donut glaze recipe! We’re so happy you love it! Thanks again for sharing your feedback.

      Reply
  6. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    04/30/2022

    I love to hear that! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!!

    Reply
  7. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    04/02/2022

    So glad you enjoyed it!

    Reply
  8. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    03/15/2022

    Lovely to hear! Thanks for the terrific feedback!

    Reply
  9. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    03/15/2022

    Yay! So amazing to hear! Thanks for letting me know!

    Reply
  10. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy
    02/21/2022

    I love the look of this, just need to make your donuts and then this glaze, the diet might have to wait a week!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      02/21/2022

      LOL Sorry, Sandy!

      Reply
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