Krispy Kreme Doughnut Recipe (Copy Cat) — Light and fluffy donuts topped with a rich glaze on top that will melt in your mouth. Tastes as good as the store-bought Krispy Kremes!
Raise your hand if you have ever waited in line for a Krispy kreme doughnut. Now, raise two hands if you have made a u turn when the green light, lights up for- hot now! I raised my hands to both questions. Don’t feel guilty about it and I even got in trouble for it.
Yes, I was late for work that day, but guess what? My boss didn’t seem upset after I handed him some Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
I had to bribe him.
But wait, can you believe I still got dinged for it! Even after he gobbled down almost half a dozen. Bummer!
There is nothing quite like biting into a warm Krispy Kreme donuts- It melts in your mouth, leaves you wanting more and more. I have to muster every will power in me to stop at two. But to date, it has been an impossible task.
I don’t know what is it about these doughnuts ;
Is it the definite crackle from the doughnut?
or the melt in the mouth sensation you get
or just maybe the fact that, it is deep-fried.
Your guess is just as good as mine
What ever it is, nothing tempts me more like a Krispy Kreme doughnut. That is why; I came across this doughnut and decided to give it a try .
I know you are saying, what is the point of making these at home when the store bought version is cheap and good. I find these curiously satisfying to make at home.
This is going on the menu for Father’s Day Weekend. I know hubby and mini hubby would be thrilled !
Although they may look unprofessional and uneven, they do have an edge compared to the store-bought version.
If you can make a cake you can make these. They are not that difficult to make. You can even make it without a mixer.
ENJOY!!!!
This recipe has been updated with new photos and tips . Originally posted November 2013
Light and fluffy donuts topped with a rich glaze on top that will melt in your mouth. Tastes as good as the store-bought Krispy Kremes!
- 2 packs 1/4 ounce packages yeast or 4-½ teaspoon yeast
- 1/3 cup water 105-115F / 40-46C
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup butter or shortening 95 grams or 3.5 ounce
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- Canola oil for frying
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 5-7 tablespoons evaporated milk
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In a standing mixer, combine lukewarm water and yeast. Let it sit until dissolve for about 5 minutes.
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Meanwhile in a microwave safe medium bowl, heat milk for about 2 minutes. Remove and let it cool.
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Add, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening or butter and 2 cups of flour to bowl of yeast.
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Mix for 2 minutes at medium speed. Add the remaining 3 cups of flour and continue mixing dough. Scraping down sides.
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Place dough in a large greased bowl. Cover loosely with a clean clothe and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 2 hours or until doubled.
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Roll dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into doughnuts using a donut cutter or cookie cutter about one 1-inch and one 3 or 4-inch .Let stand for about 10 minutes.
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In a large sauce pan, pour vegetable oil until it is at least 3 inches (or about 5 centimeters) high and place on medium heat until oil is 375 degrees.
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Carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil, only a few at a time. Fry, turning once, for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on prepared paper towels.
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In a microwave safe bowl melt the butter.
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Remove and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until everything comes together
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Then evaporated milk (or sub water) until you have reached desired consistency
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Dip doughnuts in glaze and let it drip on the rack.
TIPS AND NOTES
- In order for your these doughnuts to be airly they have to double in size. So be patient with it . It might take more than the recommended hours . It all depends on the weather
- If the dough is too difficult to handle or place in the fridge for about 30 minutes before cutting them out . DO NOT add more flour .
- Key factor here is the oil temperature, too low and is going to soak up a tons of oil, so make sure it is warm enough, about 360 degrees. It’s better to add doughnuts to slightly warmer-than-desired oil, the dough usually brings down the oil temperature , a few degrees, than to cool oil.
- For best results get a reliable candy/deep-fry thermometer, equipped with a clip – helps stick to a pot. It’s readily available at most grocery stores and chain retailers for around $10.
- When Doughnuts are fried place on a cookie rack so they can drain for a few minutes before placing on paper towel .
- For the glaze add small amounts of water or milk as you mix until you get the right consistency. This helps prevent lumps and/ or runny glaze
- You can alternatively roll in sugar . Do so immediately after removing from the fryer If you are going to sugar your doughnuts, be sure to roll them in sugar quickly after they’re fryer to ensure the sugar sticks to the doughnuts.
Recipe adapted here
In a standing mixer combine lukewarm water and yeast. Let it sit until dissolve for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile in a microwave safe medium bowl, heat milk for about 2 minutes. Remove and let it cool.
Add, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening or butter and 2 cups of flour to bowl of yeast. Mix for 2 minutes at medium speed. Add the remaining 3 cups of flour and continue mixing dough. Scraping down sides.
Place dough in a large greased bowl. Cover loosely with a clean clothe and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 2 hours or until doubled. Roll dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut into doughnuts using a donut cutter or cookie cutter about one 1-inch and one 3 or 4-inch. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
In a large, sauce pan pour vegetable oil, until it is at least 3 inches (or about 5 centimeters) high and place on medium heat until oil is 375 degrees. Carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil, only a few at a time. Fry, turning once, for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on prepared paper towels.
Donut Glaze: In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Remove and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until everything comes together. Then evaporated milk (or sub water) until you have reached desired consistency. Dip doughnuts in glaze and let it drip on the rack.
Can you use 1%milk instead of whole milk
Yes you can.
Can I make dough and let it set refrigerator overnight?
Yes you can.
Turned out better than I expected considering I don’t have a stand mixer and it was very difficult to mix the dough by hand. Canned milk tasted awful for the glaze so I used whole milk. Also, I rolled the dough out thicker than 1/4 inch and let them stand for 45 minutes, not 10 minutes, and this made a big difference to how much they puffed up before going in the oil.
I tried and kind of failed at this recipe. I think I may have added too much milk. Is it 1.5 cups of milk or 1 half cup of milk? My mix was soo wet I had to pipe the mix into the oil making what I now call doughnut worms!
So sorry to hear about this .It’s 1 and 1/2 cup milk . It makes for a soft batter . Sometimes it’s best to chill before shaping .
I was wondering how well these keep and how to store them for best freshness? In my past experience making donuts they do not keep very well so have to be eaten almost immediately, unfortunately my family isnt home during the day like i am.
It’s best to store in the fridge (wrap with napkins and store in a paper bag) reheat in the microwave in 15 seconds intervals.
Hello from the home of Krispy Kreme in Winston-Salem, NC! These were awesome and to me taste just like them. Instead of watching donuts on the line in the window like when i was younger, i can watch them in my FryDaddy at home 🙂 Glad i found this and it will be going in my ‘Best Family Recipes’ cookbook, thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much, Christy! It’s an honor to be included in your family cookbook. 🙂
The pictures of the donuts are awesome, I’m going to try it but please can you tell me what is the measure of a cup with grams.
Hi, Abdo. In the recipe box, please click on the highlighted word “METRIC”, down below the ingredients list, to view the measurements in grams. Happy cooking!
Greetings,
It’s Noxy all the way from Johannesburg SA.
Just a quick question, can you make these without using a mixer?
I really wanna try them but I don’t have one.
Greetings Noxolo! Yes, you can. You can start mixing with a wooden spoon and finish off with your hands. Be sure to oil your hands to keep the dough from sticking to it .
Hi, also heard whey can be used in domuts receipes. How to incorporate whey in this receipe?
Sorry I can’t say exactly how- not yet tried it.
Hi I wanted to ask what kind of yeast? Does it matter?
It really doesn’t . I have use instant and rapid and they both work just fine.
Hi! I just wanted to ask that in what type of bowl should i but the dough to rise? glass or plastic? thnxx
I’ve had success with glass and stainless steel bowl.
I just tried this and it came out so airy and light. I’ve fiddle with different recipes and this one is the best, thank you..
Thanks Shirley!
Hello! We are Krispy Kreme’s big fans, the thing is that we live in Venezuela so we just eat Krispy Kreme when we go to USA, and they taste like heaven… I am very excited to make this recipe, but I just want to know if I can substitute the evaporate milk for regular milk, as you may know in Venezuela is very dificult to find some things.
Absolutely! Regular milk works as well . Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks!
Hi, Imma. I want to make these, but my son can’t consume anything with cow milk (or animal milk). Can I use water or almond milk instead?
Hi! Yes you can. Go with almond milk.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your recipes. One last question, I am trying to make all sorts of recipes from my favourite recipe creators, like you, and posting them on my blog for others to see that an amateur like me can also do it. Could I use your recipes, and link back to your website?
Hey! Well I tried this recipe today and the dough was very sticky but I continued on.i let the dough rest for 2 hours and rolled it .5 cm thick and cut it out with a cookie cutter. Then i cur out holes with a bottle cap and out them in the fryer but they came out very dark and brown not burnt tho and the inside of the doughnut seemed a bit doughy
Sorry to hear this Armani, you have to reduce the temperature of the oil. It’s too high. It must be the culprit
Hello Emma, thank you for posting this great recipe. May I substitute the yeast with instant dry yeast?
Hi Dellareece ! You sure can.
SIMPLY AWESOME, IT WAS GREAT OF U TO SHARE THE RECIPE……..THANKS MUCH
Thanks for giving it a try!
Just found this recipe looks great! And read baking tastes great to! Will surprise my husband with these when he gets home from work today! He has been begging me for months to make him Krispy Kreme doughnuts ☺️ Thanks
Hi Shannon! Hubby would be super happy, everyone is..when they take a bite at Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Best donut recipe hands down, I find shortening makes it m0ist and light. A+.
Thanks Joanne!
hey i tried sooo hard to find a dounut recipe for 5 years but none were just right until i found this one and it was just right thank yuu sooo much it was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aww thank you Kewther-Glad you found this!
I tried this recipe and it was WOW! Thanks so much
Glad you enjoyed it Maryam!
Hi! Was wondering if I could use homemade buttermilk instead of regular milk to make this even more moist. Not sure if the vinegar will affect the yeast… I will be baking them. Thanks!
Hi Stacy! I have previously used buttermilk and yeast before and it did not affect the yeast. Would be curious to know if it makes it even more moist. Do tell will you please . Thanks.
Thanks for all ur wonderful posts + pictures. U inspire me everyday to try sumthing new and different with food and my family adores it.
Aww thanks! So glad to hear this. Do let me know which ones you try thanks.
Aww, thank you so much shalle! Glad you to hear you really enjoy making my recipes
Hi Immaculate, although I’ve really been going through your recipes, I must confess this is going to be the first am going to follow cause I and colleagues love doughnuts. Quick one please: is your cup measurement the standard 250ml?
Thanks so much for the amazing work. Remin blessed
Hi Floxy! Glad you are going to try this. Yes, it is standard measuring cups. Do let let me know how it works out for you. Thanks!
Is this just your standard biscuit or pizza dough recipe? Can this dough be made in a bread machine?
Hi Susan, this dough is quite different from a standard dough. I have never made this in a bread machine before However, I have it several times without using a mixer- the deal is not to over mix it. Mix it just enough for it to come together. Hope this helps.
Hi, I was wondering is the dough fairly sticky when all mixed up?
Hi Jeanee, yes the dough is fairly sticky . Let it rest in the fridge for about 30 or more minutes to make it manageable. Please let me know how it works for you. Thanks.
When you are mixing everything do you use a dough hook?
Jamie, I use the paddle hook. Just mix enough for the dough to come together. let me know how you like it!
We made these this morning and they taste almost the same as the real thing, actually better if you ask my family. Thanks! We will definitely be saving this recipe.
Oh, and I used almond milk instead of condensed milk.
Hi i will be trying this recipe this weekend my girls cant wait to try these just one question i was reading all the comments befor and notice one was missing where you had changed one ingredient instead of milk replace it with water? I couldnt see it in the comments. Wanted to know to use water instead of milk?
Tarn, yes you could replace milk with water when making the icing, not the actual doughnuts.Let me know how it works for you. I know your girls are going to love it!!!
Ok thanks shall keep you updated 🙂
Well we gave it a go it turn out very good. Nearly the same as krispy kreme . Its so yummy eating straight from the deep fryer dipping it in the glazed icing .even the next day its still good i just put it in microwave for 15seconds and its like you just made it on that day. Definitely keeping this recipe . Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
I have made these about 5 times now… my family AND friends are always asking for me to make them… I am going to try to bake some today… hope they taste as good.. or even close to the fried version, thanks so much for sharing this recipe! 🙂
Shanna, I have made the baked ones several times and they do taste great! Always glad to get feedback. Thanks
Yum !!! Can i bake these ? if yes how ? and do i need baking powder?
Yes, brush with butter or oil, then bake at 375 degrees for about 8-12 minutes, until lightly brown.You do not need baking powder.
The donuts featured are the same donuts floating on the oil. Give it a try and see. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow,wow.thnks for sharing the recipe,this is the best I have ever made. God bless you.
Aww, thank you Ella. And may God bless you too!
I haven’t tried this recipe, but the pictured doughnuts don’t have the characteristic light proof line in the middle. That means they are too heavy and did not float on the oil while frying.
ImmaculateBites- I am going to try making these with my kids this afternoon. I can’t wait! But really I wanted to drop a note because in reading the comments I just felt that you must be a very kind person. Crazy I know, but something about your responses compelled me to let you know how I felt.
Aww Josh, that is such a kind thing to say- just by reading the comments. It means a lot to me. Hope you and your kids have fun while making these.Whenever, I make them my son says, I am the best mummy in the whole wide world. Happy New Year.
i just wanted to say May GOD give u a great reward. we moved from missouri to a very small french island last year and they dont sell doughnuts here. im pregnant missing home with fie kids and i reallllllllly needed a pick me up that reminded me of home~even feel like crying now- lol; but this just reminded me, sometimes in someways you have to bring home with you! thanks so much!
I know how you feel pregnant and missing home- I have been there. Glad to know that these doughnuts will cheer you up. Eat as much as you want – you are eating for two. God bless!
Amazing!! Now how do I store them before I finish them all?!
Rose, I know what you mean. It doesn’t taste as good the next day. However, I usually just leave them in the fridge and warm them up in a oven for a few minutes before eating. Do not heat if you have glazed them already.
Thank you!! Will let you know how it turned out!
Hi! Making these now! Do I wait until the donuts are completely cooled before I dip them in icing?
Rose, allow to cool about 1 – 2 minutes then dip top half in glaze while it is still warm.
Icing tastes NOTHING like Krispy Kreme glaze. It tastes like butter-flavored runny powdered sugar. Blech.
Am sorry to hear it wasn’t to your taste. Maybe try a simple glaze next time.
Just stumbled on to these as I was looking at cabbage patch hats. Your ears will be ringing later as my Husband declares you as the Inspirational Doughnut goddess! Thank you!
Dee, I can’t wait!
Making these today! Questions: If I don’t have a standing mixer do you recommend mixing by hand or with a handheld mixer? Also, should butter be room temp or does It not matter? Thanks!
Jade, butter should be at room temperature. Hand mixer or hand works fine- try not to over-mix. Let me know how it works for you.
I’m so thankful for this recipe.
I’m a German girl and I lived in North Carolina for an exchange year. I used to love these Krispy Kreme doughnuts so much! 🙂
They turned out great!
Actually I already found it but I’d like to share if that’s okay. If you just put 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of corn starch in a blender you can make substitute powdered sugar.
What can you use as a substitute when you don’t have powdered sugar? I live in China and can’t find it anywhere and I know regular granulated sugar won’t work because it would be like hard candy when melted and cooled.
Try a ganache. Melt some chocolate chips in heavy cream and dip the tops of the doughnuts in it and let cool.
Use a spice grinder to powder granulated sugar
Thanks for sharing Mariam
Blend the sugar in a blender until fine.
Thanks for the tip kathleen
I remember when they first came out in Denver. I had my first bite and I was hooked. I can’t wait to try these. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Bev, let me know how you like it. Thanks for stopping by!
Bev, let me know how these compare to the original.Thanks for stopping.
Just made these and they are delicious – cannot stop eating it !
Definatly wont help my weightloss attempts. I wanted to eat the whole plate. Yum
Cori, I know what you mean. It is an occasional treat for me! Thanks for the feedback.
Are they ok the next day? Also can you freeze them?
You can make dough freeze , then when ready to eat. Bring to room temperature,let it rise before frying. They are ok, not great! They definitely lose their crisp texture the next day.
Fantastic! I used to work right next to a Krispy Kreme and loved the smell when I left at night. This is a wonderful recipe!
The smell always gets me – every time! Thanks for stopping by!
On #3 of your instructions, it says to add the “shortening” . I don’t see shortening listed in your ingredients. Have I missed something? The recipe looks awesome!
No you have not, you can either use butter or shortening . I have updated recipe. Thanks .
I want to thank you for sharing this recipe. We are big Krispy Kreme Doughnut fans in this house, but live a ways from their nearest store – about 30 miles or so. We usually stop off at a place near my in-laws 200 miles south of here when we visit them but that’s not often. They have a shop about a mile from their house and we always arrive with a big box of doughnuts for breakfast. We are very popular 🙂
Denise, bringing krispy kreme Donuts anywhere , will definitely make you popular . Thanks for leaving a comment and let me know how you like this recipe.
Thanks for the recipe I have been looking for doughnut recipe for a long time
Awesome! Do let me know how it works out for you.
Just made these doughnut (half fried and the other baked) . They both taste great. Will bake them from now on. Just so I can eat more. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback Sandra. You rock!
Compared to the fried, what would you say is the difference in texture and taste? Did it turn out just as soft?
It’s not as soft as the fried version. It tastes just as good.
What awesome doughnuts. Just stumbled across your blog and its lovely.
Thanks Jocelyn.
Can you bake these?
If so how long and what temp.
Looks yum
You sure can.They do taste pretty good baked.Brush with butter or oil, then bake at 375 degrees for about 8-12 minutes, until lightly brown.