Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe

If you’re craving something sweet, soft, and perfectly indulgent, you’re going to flip for this Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe. Seriously, these donuts are like little bites of maple-flavored heaven—crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside, then drenched in a sticky, shiny maple glaze that’s just the right amount of sweet. I’ve made these a handful of times now, and each batch is like a warm hug on a plate. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail these beauties at home, even if you’ve never tackled donuts before!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients because each one plays a role in crafting flawless donuts. This recipe balances yeast-leavened dough with a sweet, smooth maple glaze that sticks beautifully without getting soggy.

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast so your dough rises perfectly every time.
• Active Dry Yeast: Leavens your dough for that fluffy, airy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and feeds the yeast to create a lively dough.
• Butter-Flavored Shortening: Keeps donuts tender and helps achieve a light crumb; you can swap regular shortening if needed.
• Egg Yolks: Enrich the dough, giving your donuts a subtle richness and color.
• Vanilla: Brings warmth and depth to the dough’s flavor.
• Bread Flour: The higher protein content provides the right chew without being tough, but if you don’t have it, all-purpose flour is a fine substitute.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Baking Powder: Gives a light lift, ensuring donuts aren’t too dense.
• Peanut Oil: Ideal for frying because it has a high smoke point and imparts a neutral flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: For that smooth, sweet glaze that sets perfectly.
• Light Corn Syrup: Keeps the glaze glossy and prevents crystallization.
• Maple Extract: The star flavor—adds that unmistakable maple punch without the heaviness of real syrup.
• Hot Water: Loosens the glaze to a perfect dipping consistency.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like these donuts just as they are, but it’s fun to personalize. Maple glaze is forgiving, so you can boost or dial back the sweetness and maple intensity depending on your mood.

• More Maple Power: I often add an extra half teaspoon of maple extract to the glaze for a more pronounced flavor—don’t be shy here; it’s the star!
• Glaze Variations: Try swapping in a bit of bourbon or cinnamon for a warm twist, especially in the fall.
• Healthier Option: Use vegetable oil instead of shortening and bake instead of fry, though frying gives that unbeatable crust you want.
• Shape Play: Feel free to cut the donuts into circles or even donut holes if you’re short on time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up Your Yeast

Start by mixing warm water with yeast and a bit of sugar. After 5 minutes, the mixture should be bubbly and frothy — this is your sign the yeast is alive and kicking. If nothing happens, your yeast might be expired or the water too hot. Don’t skip this step!

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add sugar, shortening, egg yolks, and vanilla to your yeast. Beat them together but don’t worry if the shortening doesn’t fully blend; that’s okay. Then, gradually add flour with salt and baking powder sprinkled on top—starting by stirring the dry ingredients lightly and beating to combine.

Step 3: Knead and Rise

Switch to a dough hook or knead by hand, adding flour carefully—you want a slightly sticky dough for tenderness but not so sticky it’s unmanageable. Knead about 5 minutes until smooth. Then shape into a ball and set it on a floured baking sheet to rise in a warm, humid environment (I warm my oven briefly and use a pan of boiling water beneath) for about an hour or until doubled.

Step 4: Cut Your Donuts

Once risen, gently tip the dough onto a floured surface and roll to a gentle rectangle. Use a pizza cutter to slice into 12 long rectangular donuts. If you want perfect edges, trim ends—but I usually go rustic and save scraps for a bonus donut!

Step 5: Second Rise

Place the cut donuts onto floured baking sheets, spaced nicely so they can puff again. Repeat the warm, humid rising method for another 45 minutes or until doubled in size—this step makes all the difference for fluffy donuts.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat peanut oil to 350°F in a deep pot. Fry donuts in small batches, 30-40 seconds per side, until golden brown. Move quickly but gently so you don’t deflate their puff. Drain on paper towels and let them cool completely — glazing warm donuts is a no-go since the glaze won’t stick.

Step 7: Dip in Delicious Maple Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, corn syrup, salt, vanilla, maple extract, and hot water into a shiny, pourable glaze. Taste and add more maple if you want that punch. Dip each donut’s top side, let excess drip off, and let stand on a wire rack until glaze firms up—about 15-20 minutes. Then brace yourself for amazingness!

How to Serve Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the maple glaze, but for a bit of texture and fun, try sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top. They add a lovely crunch and an extra hint of fall flavors that complement maple perfectly.

Side Dishes

These donuts shine with a hot cup of black coffee or chai tea. On brunch days, I love pairing them with fresh fruit like sliced apples or berries—it balances out the sweetness and keeps things fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Once I made these for a birthday party and arranged them on a wooden board with a small bowl of maple syrup for extra dunking, alongside fresh flowers and rustic linen napkins. It felt like a little maple-themed celebration in every bite! You can also stack them in a tower for a fun donut “cake” centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and yummy for about 2-3 days, which is usually just enough time before they mysteriously disappear!

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before with great success—just freeze them unglazed, then thaw and dip in glaze fresh. This way, you keep that fresh-fried taste without sacrificing texture.

Reheating

To reheat, pop donuts in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to regain their freshly-fried crispness. Once cooled a bit, glaze again if needed, or just enjoy as is. Microwave isn’t my favorite here because it makes them chewy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe has become my favorite weekend project because it’s the kind of treat that feels fancy but is surprisingly approachable. There’s something so satisfying about frying up a batch yourself and watching those golden donuts come alive under a sweet maple glaze—it just can’t be beat. If you’re looking to bring some cozy vibes and delicious smells into your kitchen, give this recipe a shot. I promise you’ll love every sticky, maple-sweet bite, and maybe start craving donuts on demand like I do!

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