How to make a donut glaze for donuts, long johns and finger buns
A simple glaze recipe to elevate all your sweet baked goods
Want to know how to make donut glaze that’s glossy, smooth, and perfect for donuts, long johns and finger buns? This easy donut glaze recipe is ideal for bakeries looking to finish their sweet goods with a professional touch.
Whether you’re baking ring donuts, fried long johns or iced finger buns using Suprima’s versatile Sweet Dough Base, this simple glaze recipe works beautifully across all of them.
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Glaze recipe for bakeries and wholesale baking
This simple glaze recipe is designed for easy scaling, consistent results, and multi-use application across donuts, long johns, finger buns and more.
Donut glaze recipe: How to make donut glaze for your bakery
Ingredients (batch size for approx. 40–50 pieces):
- 1 kg icing sugar (sifted)
- 250–300 ml water (or milk for a creamier glaze)
- 10 ml vanilla extract (or other flavouring)
Method:
- Combine icing sugar and liquid in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.
- Add flavouring and mix until smooth and pourable.
- Use immediately to dip or drizzle onto baked or fried products.
Commercial tip: Use water for longer shelf life and easier cleanup. Add milk if you’re glazing on-demand and want a slightly richer finish. For a thicker glaze, reduce liquid slightly or allow it to rest before application.
Glaze flavour ideas to try
While vanilla is a classic, there’s plenty of room to get creative with your flavours and colour variations. Here are a few bakery favourites.
- Chocolate glaze – Add 1–2 tbsp cocoa powder
- Maple glaze – Use maple extract instead of vanilla
- Citrus glaze – Add lemon/orange juice and zest
- Berry glaze – Blend and strain berries, then mix into the glaze
- Coffee glaze – Add 1 tbsp brewed espresso or coffee extract
Use natural food colouring to create seasonal glazes or themed variations for holidays.
Pair it with Suprima’s sweet dough base
Suprima’s Sweet Dough Base is ideal for creating donut-like goods, long johns and finger buns — all of which pair perfectly with this glaze. Because you’re working from a consistent base, you can confidently apply this same glaze across multiple products.
- For donuts – Dip while still slightly warm
- For long johns – Glaze after cooling or drizzle over a filled centre
- For finger buns – Let cool before applying glaze or icing
From prep to finish, this one dough gives you endless creative potential and that includes glazing and decorating.
Want to try it for yourself? Ask us about samples or speak to our team about how this versatile product can fit into your bakery or foodservice operation
Need inspiration? Our team can help with flavour suggestions, finishing techniques and display ideas.
A Versatile Solution
The same sweet dough base you use to make donuts can also be used to create long johns, finger buns, scrolls, and other sweet baked favourites.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this glaze across different products?
Yes. This versatile glaze works well on donuts, long johns, finger buns, scrolls, and other sweet baked goods. It adheres smoothly to both fried and baked products.
How do I make donut glaze for commercial baking?
To make donut glaze, whisk icing sugar with water or milk and add your preferred flavouring like vanilla or cocoa. Adjust the consistency so it coats evenly. This simple donut glaze recipe works across donuts, long johns and finger buns.
Should I use water or milk in the glaze?
Use water if you want a longer shelf life and a cleaner glaze for batch production. Use milk for a richer flavour and creamier texture if you’re glazing to order or for same-day service.
Can I scale this glaze for large batches?
Absolutely. The recipe can be scaled up easily — no need to adjust ratios. For example, 1 kg of icing sugar and 250–300 ml of liquid will glaze approximately 40–50 items, depending on size and coating thickness.
How should I store leftover glaze?
Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week. Stir or whisk before reuse. For water-based glazes, you may need to rehydrate slightly after refrigeration.
Can I flavour the glaze for seasonal or custom offerings?
Yes. Add natural extracts, citrus zest, berry purées, coffee or cocoa powder to create unique flavours that suit your menu or theme.
