Learn How to Make Glaze for Donuts in just a few simple steps. Just mix the ingredients, dip in the glaze, then let it set and enjoy! Use our versatile powdered sugar and chocolate glaze recipes as a base to create your own tasty flavors!
Our glaze varieties are packed with rich flavor. Enjoy them on traditional donuts or try them on our uniquely delicious mochi donuts. You can also use these glazes for cookies, cakes, breads, and pancakes. Just make some to enjoy with your donuts then save the rest for later!
In the recipe card, we share both powdered sugar glazes and chocolate glazes. The powdered sugar glazes are soft and sweet, and are most common for donuts. In comparison, a glaze with a chocolate base has a snap when you bite into it. Both will make your donuts delicious!
Jump to:
About Donut Glazes
- Taste - The glazes are sweet with a wide range of flavors.
- Texture - The glazes are light but thick enough to stay on donuts and add a nice bite.
- Effort - All you need to do is mix the ingredients then dip the donuts in it or store it for later.
- Time - It takes just a couple minutes to mix the ingredients then dip the donuts.
Ingredients
- Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar is the sweet base for these glazes.
- Milk - Milk provides the moisture in the glazes.
- Vanilla bean extract - Vanilla adds the classic vanilla flavor to the glaze . Use high-quality vanilla extract for a distinct vanilla flavor.
- Matcha powder - Matcha powder provides a distinct earthy flavor. We suggest culinary grade matcha because it is the most economical while still offering a rich matcha flavor.
- Nutella - Nutella is a delicious blend of chocolate and hazelnuts.
- Chopped hazelnuts - Hazelnuts add a rich crunch.
- Strawberry Jam and dehydrated strawberries - Strawberry jam and dehydrated strawberries add berry flavor.
- High quality chocolate chips - We prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips because they are the perfect balance of sweet and rich. But you can also use dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate depending on your preference.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cinnamon sugar - Cover the donuts with cinnamon sugar to make them like a churro.
- Sprinkles - Top the donuts with sugary sprinkles after for a classic topping.
- Oreos - Sprinkle the donuts with crushed Oreos or your other favorite crushed cookies for a nice crunch.
Instructions
- Make glaze - Make the glaze(s) of choice by whisking the ingredients in clean, dry medium mixing bowls that are wide enough to dip the donuts in. For the vanilla bean glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. For the Nutella glaze, whisk powdered sugar, dutch processed cocoa powder, Nutella, and milk together until smooth. For the strawberry glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, milk or water, and strawberry jam until smooth.
- Glaze donuts - Dip each donut in a glaze and sprinkle with desired toppings. For the Nutella glaze, top with toasted chopped hazelnuts. For the strawberry glaze, top with chopped dehydrated strawberries. You can also toss the donuts in a cinnamon sugar mixture, like a churro. Let the glaze set and dry on the donuts on a wire rack, then enjoy.
Pro tip - Once you've glazed your donuts, give the glaze time to harden to prevent it from smearing or dripping off the donuts.
Recipe FAQs
There are tons of different donut glaze flavors. The most common ones are a vanilla sugar glaze or chocolate glaze. We love to get creative with flavors like matcha, nutella, and black sesame.
Yes, but it may change the flavor slightly.
The glaze should be pourable enough to cover the donuts but also thick enough that it clings to the donuts and doesn't drip off.
If you want to make a glaze thicker, add a little more powdered sugar. If you want to make it thinner, add a little more milk or water.
This can occur if the glaze is too runny or there isn't enough powdered sugar. If your glaze seems too thin, add powdered sugar.
Storage
Store leftover glaze in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best results. After 1 week, the glaze will lose its texture. You can also freeze the glaze in a freezer safe bag for up to 1 month.
Top Tips
- Sift the powdered sugar and whisk the ingredients thoroughly so there aren't any clumps.
- If you need to make the glaze thicker or thinner, start with small amounts of powdered sugar or milk so it doesn't drastically change the texture of the glaze.
Related Recipes
Did You Like This Recipe?
Love this easy donut glaze recipe? Please leave a 5-star ????? rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment below. Thanks!
Sign up for THP's newsletter and keep in touch on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, tag #theheirloompantry so we can see your dougnut glaze!
How to Make Glaze for Donuts (5 Types)
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
Vanilla Bean Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Nutella Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon Dutch process cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoon Nutella
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or heavy whipping cream plus more if necessary; do not use water or the chocolate will seize
- toasted hazelnuts or sprinkles chopped, for topping
Strawberry Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon strawberry preserves room temperature
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or water plus more if necessary
- dehydrated strawberries crushed, for topping
Matcha White Chocolate Glaze
- 1 cup high-quality white chocolate or baking chips
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
Nutella Chocolate Glaze
- â…“ cup high quality chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Nutella
Instructions
Powdered Sugar Glaze
- Make glaze - Make the glaze(s) of choice by whisking the ingredients in clean, dry mixing bowls that are wide enough to dip the donuts in. For the vanilla bean glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. For the Nutella glaze, whisk powdered sugar, dutch processed cocoa powder, Nutella, and milk together until smooth. For the strawberry glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, milk or water, and strawberry jam until smooth.
- Glaze donuts - Dip each donut in a glaze and sprinkle with desired toppings. For the Nutella glaze, top with toasted chopped hazelnuts. For the strawberry glaze, top with chopped dehydrated strawberries. You can also toss the donuts in a cinnamon sugar mixture, like a churro. Let the glaze set and dry, then enjoy.
Chocolate Glaze
- Make glaze - Make the glaze(s) of choice by whisking the ingredients in clean, dry mixing bowls that are wide enough to dip the donuts in.
- Matcha white chocolate glaze - For a matcha white chocolate glaze, mix 1 cup high-quality white chocolate or baking chips with 1 tablespoon matcha powder. Use a double boiler or microwave to melt ⅔ of the chocolate. If you microwave the chocolate, place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave in 20 second increments at 50% power and stir in between each interval until melted and smooth. This will help melt the chocolate and prevent the chocolate from burning. Gradually stir in the remaining ⅓ chocolate in small amounts at a time until the chocolate is completely melted. Sift matcha powder and add to the chocolate. Stir until incorporated and smooth, then dip the donuts in the chocolate.
- Nutella chocolate glaze - Add chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 30 second increments and stir in between until the chocolate is melted. Alternatively, heat chocolate in a double boiler. Add the Nutella to the chocolate and mix until completely combined, then dip the donuts in the melted chocolate.
Video
Notes
Notes
Chocolate Glaze versus Powdered Sugar Glaze - Powdered sugar glazes are soft and sweet, and are most common for donuts. In contrast, a glaze with a chocolate base has a snap when you bite into it.Top Tips
- Once you've glazed your donuts, give the glaze time to harden to prevent it from smearing or dripping off.
- Sift the powdered sugar and whisk the ingredients thoroughly so there aren't any clumps.
- If you need to make the glaze thicker or thinner, start with small amounts of powdered sugar or milk so it doesn't drastically change the texture of the glaze.
Leave a Reply