These maple glazed donuts use my favorite dough base, then are dipped in a pink maple glaze for the perfect Valentine’s Day donut.

The Best Maple Glazed Donuts

There’s something undeniably comforting about biting into a warm, fresh donut. And when that donut is dipped in a maple glaze? Pure bliss. Maple glazed donuts are the a favorite and we made these Valentine’s Day themed by adding some of my favorite dye free coloring (affiliate). Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a donut enthusiast looking to try something new, you will love these maple glazed donuts.

Why I love this recipe!

I love a recipe that is multipurpose! The base of this donut dough is the same as my sandwich bread, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, and so much more! If you don’t want 24 donuts, you can easily take half of the dough and make something else with it!

What’s in Homemade Maple Donuts?

Flour – All Purpose is preffered for a fluffier loaf, but Bread Flour is totally fine also. You will just have a chewier loaf.
Yeast – I like to use Dry Active Yeast
Milk – This is the my favorite for a fluffy donut, you can swap for water if needed.
Butter – Adds buttery flavor to the dough. If you need a dairy free option I have swapped the butter for avocado oil.
Egg – I have left out the egg before because I ran out, but the egg gives the dough extra structure and fluffiness.
Sugar – this is used to help activate the yeast.
Powdered Sugar – for the maple glaze.
Maple Syrup – for the maple glaze.

How to make fluffy homemade donuts

Combine 1/4 cup warmed water with yeast and sugar. Set aside until foamy. If your yeast does not foam up, do not proceed to the next step. This means your yeast is not active.
Once the yeast mixture is foamy combine all yeast mixture, milk, butter, egg, salt, and 5 cups of flour. Mix to combine, adding in additional flour until the mixture pulls away from the bowl.
Knead mixture for 7-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth. Shape into a ball, place back into bowl, cover, and let rise for an hour, until doubled.
Place dough onto counter and divide into 2 sections. Roll each section into a rectangular shape and cut out your donuts. I use a large mouth mason jar ring and then a piping tip for the inside hole. You can also purchase a donut cutter.
Place dough onto individual parchment squares, cover, and let dough rise for another 30-60 minutes.
While dough is rising heat your oil in a large pan to 350F. Use a candy thermometer to ensure your oil is at the perfect temperature.
Gently place 2-3 donuts into hot oil at a time (you don’t want to crowd the donuts) and fry for 2-3 minutes, before flipping and frying for an additional 2-3 minutes. The donuts should be nice and golden brown.
Remove donuts to a cooling rack to allow extra grease to drain and to cool.
In a small bowl combine maple glaze ingredients. Once donuts have cooled enough to handle dip into maple glaze and place back onto the cooling rack.
Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Share Your Experience

I would love to hear about your experience making and enjoying my Maple Glazed Donuts for Valentine’s Day! Feel free to tag me on Instagram or leave a review below. Your feedback helps me improve our recipes and provides inspiration to fellow home bakers.

Save this recipe for later by simply using the pin button on the recipe card or any of the photos above. Happy cooking!

Ingredients

Donuts

2 1/4 tsp yeast
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup water warmed
1 1/2 tsp salt
5 tbsp butter
1 egg
6 cups flour
2 cups milk

Maple Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp maple syrup
red food coloring

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Combine 1/4 cup warmed water with yeast and sugar. Set aside until foamy. If your yeast does not foam up, do not proceed to the next step. This means your yeast is not active.
Once the yeast mixture is foamy combine all yeast mixture, milk, butter, egg, salt, and 5 cups of flour. Mix to combine, adding in additional flour until the mixture pulls away from the bowl.
Knead mixture for 7-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth. Shape into a ball, place back into bowl, cover, and let rise for an hour, until doubled.
Place dough onto counter and divide into 2 sections. Roll each section into a rectangular shape and cut out your donuts. I use a large mouth mason jar ring and then a piping tip for the inside hole. You can also purchase a donut cutter.
Place dough onto individual parchment squares, cover, and let dough rise for another 30-60 minutes.
While dough is rising heat your oil in a large pan to 350F. Use a candy thermometer to ensure your oil is at the perfect temperature.
Gently place 2-3 donuts into hot oil at a time (you don't want to crowd the donuts) and fry for 2-3 minutes, before flipping and frying for an additional 2-3 minutes. The donuts should be nice and golden brown.
Remove donuts to a cooling rack to allow extra grease to drain and to cool.
In a small bowl combine maple glaze ingredients. Once donuts have cooled enough to handle dip into maple glaze and place back onto the cooling rack.
Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Nutrition