Bringing Treats

Donuts are delicious, but they look, feel, and taste that much more polished with a nice glaze or dip. The dip is what I picture when I think of a classic bakery donut with the shiny colourful top, but the glaze is what I expect when I go to a cafe and see that shiny clear coating surrounding a donut.

These dip and glaze recipes are very easy to play around with to get the exact consistency, flavour, or colour you’re looking for. The measurements listed here are what I typically use, and further variations can be found below.

Use the dip recipe to show off colourful and flavourful decoration on the tops of your donuts. Use the glaze recipe to polish off already beautiful donuts with a nice shine, subtle flavour, and keep the interior donut moist.

• Prep Time: 5 min
• Set Time: 5 min
• Total Time: 10 min
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups, enough for 12 large donuts

Basic Donut Dip

Use this dip for the classic thick, opaque, shiny coating on the top half of donuts. It’s sweet, easily flavoured, and shows off bright colours. Top with sprinkles quickly before it sets! This is a really easy dip that looks impressive.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup (190g/ 6oz) powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk, or other liquid
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
• 2-3 drops food colour (optional)

Method

1. In a 2-cup measuring cup, whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth and lump-free.
2. Adjust the thickness by adding more icing sugar or liquid. To make the dip thicker and more opaque, add more icing sugar 2 tbsp at a time. The dip should be thick but spoonable, like a soft putty that can drip slowly from a spoon.
3. Spoon and spread a small amount of the dip over the tops of donuts, and add any sprinkles as soon as possible before it hardens. Set the donuts on a wire rack with parchment underneath to catch any drips. It will set up within a few short minutes.

Basic Donut Glaze

Use this glaze for the classic thin, crinkly, shiny coating surrounding donuts. It’s sweet, easily flavoured, and sets with a slight crisp texture. Top with sprinkles quickly before it sets! This is a really easy glaze that looks impressive.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup (190g/ 6oz) powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons milk, or other liquid
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
• 2-3 drops food colour (optional)

Method

1. In a 2-cup measuring cup, whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth and lump-free.
2. Adjust the thickness by adding more icing sugar or liquid. To make it thinner and clearer, add more liquid 1 tsp at a time. The glaze should be pourable, the consistency of white craft glue.
3. Dunk the tops of donuts in the glaze or pour over tops. Immediately cover in any sprinkles or extra toppings. Set the glazed donuts on a wire rack with parchment underneath to catch the drips. It will set within a few minutes.

Variations

• Chocolate: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder, and 1 extra tsp of liquid.
• Espresso: Add 1 tbsp instant espresso powder, use hot water as the liquid instead of milk
• Maple: Use maple syrup as the liquid instead of milk
• Honey: Use honey as the liquid instead of milk.
• Sour Cream: Replace half the liquid with sour cream or yogurt. Vegan or coconut yogurt can also be used.
• Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese as the liquid instead of milk. Vegan or coconut cream cheese can also be used. 
• Lemon: Use lemon juice as the liquid instead of milk.
• Earl Grey: Use strongly steeped Earl Grey tea as the liquid.
• Coconut: Use coconut milk or coconut water as the liquid, and sprinkle sweetened flaked coconut over the donuts before the glaze or dip sets.

Notes

1. Vanilla: If you want a bright white donut dip, use clear immitation vanilla, or other clear extract, so there’s no colour to turn the dip that soft beige colour. Alternatively, just leave the extract out altogether. The dip will still be sweet and delicious!