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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. Tom Avatar
    Tom
    12/14/2024

    this didn’t work when I started mixing it turned into a large lump looking like glue

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      12/16/2024

      Hi Tom. Thank you for your feedback, and I’m sorry to hear the glaze didn’t turn out as expected. It sounds like the mixture may have been too thick, which can sometimes happen depending on how the confectioners’ sugar is measured or how much liquid is added.

      Here are some tips to help troubleshoot:

      Sifting the Sugar: Make sure to sift the confectioners’ sugar before mixing. If it’s not sifted, clumps can form, leading to a lumpy consistency.

      Adding Liquid Gradually: When mixing, start with the lower amount of liquid (10 tablespoons) and add more, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is smooth and pourable. If too much liquid is added at once, it can form lumps or become overly sticky.

      Mixing Technique: Use a whisk to mix the glaze rather than a spoon. A whisk helps incorporate the liquid evenly and prevents clumping. If the mixture still seems lumpy, try microwaving it for a few seconds and whisking again to smooth it out.

      Consistency Check: The glaze should be thick but still fluid enough to coat the donuts. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash of milk or cream and mix again until the desired consistency is achieved.

      I hope these tips help, and I’d love to hear how it works out if you give it another try. Thank you again for sharing your experience!

      Reply
  2. Carol Lina Wilson Avatar
    Carol Lina Wilson
    08/14/2024

    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?

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      08/15/2024

      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!

      Reply
  3. Zach Avatar
    Zach
    07/28/2024

    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!

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      07/29/2024

      Hi Zach. Thank you so much for the feedback! I am glad you loved the recipe after getting the desired consistency.

      Reply
  4. Mike K Avatar
    Mike K
    04/08/2024

    easy to make and delisious,I make a batch once a week and this glaze rocks

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      04/09/2024

      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!

      Reply
  5. Mike K Avatar
    Mike K
    02/29/2024

    my wife won’t make glazed doughnuts?so I make them?this glaze is easy to make and tastes perfect

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      03/01/2024

      So glad you love the taste!! Thank you for giving it a try and taking the time to leave feedback! 😊

      Reply
  6. John Mitchell Avatar
    John Mitchell
    02/18/2024

    I like the recipe and it made it look so easy

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      02/18/2024

      Thank you, John! So glad you like it!

      Reply
  7. JadedFan Avatar
    JadedFan
    02/11/2024

    Because the recipe contains milk, do I need to refrigerate my donuts after glazing?

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      02/11/2024

      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!!

      Reply
      1. Sam Preissler Avatar
        Sam Preissler
        09/07/2024

        Never could get glaze to harden. Even when pasty it ran. off donuts. Why won’t it harden?

      2. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
        Erren’s Kitchen
        09/09/2024

        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!

  8. Olivia Mann Avatar
    Olivia Mann
    09/17/2023

    This recipe was great! Easy and delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      09/19/2023

      Thank you for your wonderful feedback on the recipe! It’s great to hear that you enjoy it so much!

      Reply
  9. Donna Bell Avatar
    Donna Bell
    05/30/2023

    I love this recipe so much

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      06/04/2023

      I appreciate your feedback, Donna and I’m glad the recipe worked well for you.

      Reply
  10. Giovanni Crotti Avatar
    Giovanni Crotti
    05/27/2023

    This was so perfect and easy to do. Thank you so much for this recipe, whole family loved it on our mini donuts!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      06/04/2023

      Your positive feedback is much appreciated, Giovanni! I’m glad the recipe worked out for you. 🙂

      Reply
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