Homemade Krispy Kremes Recipe

The Best Homemade Krispy Kremes Recipe for Sweet Breakfast Bliss

Crafting delectable homemade Krispy Kremes transports you to a world of sugary nostalgia and pure indulgence.

Soft, pillowy doughnuts straight from your kitchen promise an irresistible experience.

Sweet memories of childhood treats come flooding back with each golden, glazed bite.

Warm aromas of freshly fried dough will drift through your home, tempting everyone nearby.

Professional bakery quality meets personal passion in this surprisingly simple recipe.

Comfort and joy await as you embark on this delightful culinary adventure.

Roll up your sleeves and prepare to create doughnut magic that rivals any bakery shelf.

Ways to Make Donuts More Fun

  • Gluten-Free Doughnuts: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
  • Vegan Krispy Kremes: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace egg with a flax egg or applesauce. Choose plant-based glaze ingredients.
  • Baked Doughnut Option: Skip frying and bake doughnuts in a preheated 375F oven for 12-15 minutes. Brush with melted butter and coat with granulated sugar or lighter glaze.
  • Chocolate Glazed Variation: Add cocoa powder to the glaze or melt dark chocolate for dipping. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or rainbow sprinkles for extra texture and visual appeal.

Sharing Homemade Donuts the Fun Way

  • Doughnut Breakfast Companion: Pair these homemade Krispy Kremes with a steaming cup of fresh coffee or rich hot chocolate for a delightful morning treat.
  • Sweet Party Platter: Arrange the glazed doughnuts on a decorative tray with fresh berries and mint leaves for an eye-catching dessert display at gatherings.
  • Weekend Brunch Star: Serve these warm, golden doughnuts alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit for a crowd-pleasing weekend breakfast spread that everyone will love.
  • Kids' Dessert Fun: Create a DIY doughnut decorating station with different colored glazes, sprinkles, and chocolate chips, letting children customize their own sweet creation.

Keep Homemade Donuts Fresh Without Fuss

  • Store glazed doughnuts in an airtight container lined with paper towels. Consume within 2 days for best taste and texture. Refrigeration helps prevent staleness and maintains freshness.
  • Wrap individual doughnuts in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Avoid freezing glazed doughnuts as sugar coating may become soggy.
  • Warm briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore slight crispness.

FAQs

  • How difficult is this Krispy Kreme recipe for home bakers?

The recipe requires intermediate baking skills. Beginners might need some practice with yeast dough handling and frying techniques, but it’s manageable with patience and careful following of steps.

  • What kind of yeast works best for these doughnuts?

Active dry yeast or instant yeast are perfect for this recipe. Make sure the yeast is fresh and not expired to ensure proper rising of the dough.

  • Can I use a stand mixer instead of kneading by hand?

Absolutely! A stand mixer with a dough hook makes kneading easier and more consistent. Mix on low speed for 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Homemade Krispy Kreme Vibes

  • Craft Sweet Memories: Recreate the iconic Krispy Kreme experience right in your kitchen, transforming an ordinary day into a delightful treat that sparks joy and nostalgia.
  • Master Bakery-Style Technique: Learn professional doughnut-making skills with simple steps, gaining confidence to create restaurant-quality pastries without advanced culinary training.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Bring family and friends together with these homemade doughnuts, creating delicious moments of connection and shared happiness around a freshly glazed batch.
  • Weekend Baking Adventure: Enjoy a fun, rewarding cooking project that fills your home with warm, sweet aromas and provides a delectable reward for your kitchen creativity.

Homemade Donut Ingredient Lineup

Yeast Base:
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for helping the dough rise and creating a light, fluffy texture.
  • Warm Water: Activates the yeast and supports its fermentation process.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with yeast activation.
  • Milk, Egg, Melted Butter: Contribute to rich flavor and tender doughnut texture.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the doughnut.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla: Create a smooth, sweet coating that adds a classic doughnut finish.
Frying Ingredient:
  • Vegetable Oil: Enables deep-frying and creates the signature golden-brown exterior.

How to Make Homemade Krispy Kremes

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Sprinkle yeast into warm water and let it bloom for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and alive with bubbling potential.

Step 2: Create the Magical Dough

Combine these ingredients to form the perfect dough:
  • Sugar
  • Milk
  • Melted butter
  • Salt
  • Egg
  • Flour

Mix everything together until a soft, pillowy dough emerges, ready to transform into delicious doughnuts.

Step 3: Knead and Nurture the Dough

Work the dough with your hands for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest and rise for 1 hour in a warm, cozy spot.

Step 4: Shape the Doughnut Dreams

Roll out the risen dough to about 12-inch thickness.

Use a doughnut cutter or two different-sized circular cutters to create perfect doughnut shapes.

Let the cut doughnuts rise again for 30 minutes, becoming puffy and light.

Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F.

Carefully lower the doughnuts into the hot oil, frying each side for 1-2 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown color.

Step 6: Drain and Rest

Transfer the fried doughnuts to paper towels to remove excess oil and allow them to cool slightly.

Step 7: Glaze with Sweet Happiness

Whisk together:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla

Dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze, letting the sweet coating set and create a spectacular finish.

Serve immediately and enjoy the homemade magic!

Donut Prep Notes That Help

  • Ensure warm, draft-free spot for dough rising to help yeast activate perfectly and create fluffy texture.
  • Use candy thermometer when frying to maintain exact 350F oil temperature for consistent golden-brown doughnuts without burning.
  • Pour warm glaze over hot doughnuts for smooth, even coating that sets beautifully and creates classic Krispy Kreme shine.
  • Avoid over-kneading dough – stop when it becomes smooth and elastic to prevent tough, dense doughnuts.
  • Enjoy doughnuts within 2-3 hours of making for ultimate softness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Homemade Krispy Kremes Recipe

Homemade Krispy Kremes Recipe


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4.7 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Krispy Kreme-inspired donuts deliver sweet, pillowy perfection from home kitchens. Glazed rings promise indulgent comfort, drawing memories of classic bakery treats you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (0.25 ounces) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg

Liquid and Fat Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Seasoning and Sweet Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast in lukewarm liquid, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until a cohesive, soft dough develops.
  3. Gently knead the dough on a lightly floured surface, working it until smooth and elastic, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  4. Place dough in a greased container, cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rise in a warm environment until doubled in size, roughly 1 hour.
  5. Punch down the risen dough and roll out to a uniform 1/2-inch thickness on a floured workspace.
  6. Use circular cutters to shape doughnuts, creating classic ring shapes with a central hole.
  7. Allow shaped doughnuts to proof for an additional 30 minutes, becoming puffy and light.
  8. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to precisely 350°F.
  9. Carefully lower doughnuts into hot oil, frying each side until achieving a rich golden-brown color, approximately 45-60 seconds per side.
  10. Remove doughnuts using a slotted spoon, draining excess oil on absorbent paper towels.
  11. Whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth and slightly translucent.
  12. Dip warm doughnuts into glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then place on a wire rack to set.

Notes

  • Ensure water temperature for yeast is precisely between 105-110°F to activate without killing the microorganisms.
  • Proofing environment matters: place dough in warm, draft-free area like inside a turned-off oven with light on for consistent rising.
  • Use a deep, heavy-bottomed pot for frying to maintain consistent oil temperature and prevent burning.
  • Gluten-free alternative: substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for celiac-friendly version.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 185
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 110 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Amanda Bennett

Amanda Bennett

Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography

Education

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
​Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.​

Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling


Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.

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