Light, airy glazed donuts with a shiny sweet coating are an iconic American breakfast treat. Making them at home brings the whole family together for a fun weekend project.
Warm 0.75 cup whole milk to around 105°F (warm, not hot), sprinkle over the active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar from the recipe. Let stand for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, remaining granulated sugar, eggs, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth, then gradually add all-purpose flour and salt until a sticky dough forms.
Knead the dough on a well-floured surface for 5-7 minutes, until very soft and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Roll out the dough to about ½ inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two different sized round cutters to cut out donut shapes. Re-roll scraps and repeat. Place cut donuts on parchment-lined sheet, cover lightly, and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Heat vegetable oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (medium-high heat, monitor using a thermometer for accuracy). Fry donuts in batches, about 1 minute per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly.
For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and 0.25 cup milk until smooth. Dip each warm donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then return to the rack for the glaze to set and become shiny.