Old-Fashioned Glazed Cake Donuts From Scratch
Make fluffy, moist, bakery-style cake donuts at home. This recipe delivers classic old fashioned cake donuts with a simple vanilla glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 10-12 donuts 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 3 tablespoons milk or water (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the granulated sugar and eggs until pale and slightly fluffy.
- Whisk in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until a thick, soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle.
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182 degrees Celsius). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two different-sized round cutters to cut out the donuts and donut holes.
- Carefully place 2 or 3 donuts into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the donuts and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- While the donuts are cooling slightly, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of milk or water, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more liquid, a teaspoon at a time, if the glaze is too thick.
- Dip the tops of the warm donuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Place them back on the wire rack to set the glaze.
- Serve your homemade cake donuts immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- For old fashioned cake donuts with craggy edges, gently press the dough slightly after cutting before frying.
- If you prefer baked cake donuts, place the cut dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 8-10 minutes, then cool before glazing.
- You can substitute cinnamon sugar for the glaze by tossing the warm donuts in a mixture of 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg