Nothing says “holiday season” like the smell of freshly baked Christmas donuts wafting through the house. These delicious holiday treats have been my family’s favorite December tradition since I was little – my mom would always make a big batch on Christmas Eve morning while we decorated the tree. I can still picture her flour-dusted apron as she pulled those golden rings from the oven!
What makes this Christmas donuts recipe so special is that perfect balance of soft, cake-like texture with just the right amount of sweetness. The cinnamon and nutmeg give them that warm, festive flavor we all crave this time of year. And that simple vanilla glaze? It’s like edible snow topping each fluffy donut. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or just want to surprise your family with a special breakfast, these baked donuts come together in no time and disappear even faster!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Donuts
Oh, where do I even begin? These little rings of holiday joy have become my go-to treat for every December occasion—and once you try them, you’ll understand why:
- Impossibly easy: No fancy techniques—just mix, bake, and dunk in glaze. Even my 8-year-old niece helps!
- That cozy spice blend: Cinnamon and nutmeg make your kitchen smell like Santa’s workshop.
- Instant holiday vibes: Pile them on a platter at cookie swaps—the sprinkles alone get everyone smiling.
- Kid-approved magic: Let the little ones go wild with red/green sprinkles or crushed candy cane toppings.
Seriously, one bite of that fluffy crumb with the crackly glaze, and you’ll be making these every winter. Promise!
Ingredients for Christmas Donuts Delicious Holiday Treats Recipe
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these festive treats – and trust me, every ingredient plays a special role in creating that perfect holiday donut. I’ve learned through many Christmases that quality matters here!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level it – don’t scoop! Too much flour makes dense donuts.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the spices.
- 1 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp baking soda: Our rising dream team for fluffy texture.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors – don’t skip it!
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg: The holiday spice duo that makes your kitchen smell amazing.
- 1 large egg: Room temperature blends better – take it out 30 minutes early.
- 3/4 cup whole milk: The fat content gives richness, but 2% works in a pinch.
- 1/4 cup melted butter: Cooled slightly – I microwave for 20 seconds then let it sit.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Pure vanilla makes all the difference here.
For the glaze (because what’s a holiday donut without it?):
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Sift if yours is lumpy!
- 2 tbsp milk: Start with 1 tbsp and add more slowly.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Just a kiss of extra flavor.
- Sprinkles/crushed candy canes: Optional but oh-so-festive!
The Must-Have Tools for Perfect Christmas Donuts
Now let’s talk gear – but don’t worry, you don’t need anything fancy! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen cabinets when making these holiday treats:
- Donut pan: My trusty non-stick one gets used more in December than all year!
- 2 mixing bowls: One for dry ingredients, one for wet – keeps everything organized.
- Whisk and spatula: The whisk blends beautifully, and the spatula scrapes every last bit of batter.
Bonus tip: No piping bag? Just spoon the batter into the molds or use a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. Easy peasy!
How to Make Christmas Donuts Delicious Holiday Treats Recipe
Okay, let’s get baking! This is where the magic happens – turning simple ingredients into fluffy holiday happiness. I’ve made these dozens of times, and trust me, following these steps carefully makes all the difference between good donuts and “oh-my-goodness-I-need-another-one” donuts.
Preparing the Batter
First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab two bowls. In the first, whisk together all your dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give it a good mix so those spices distribute evenly.
In the second bowl, whisk the egg until it’s nice and smooth, then add the milk, melted (but slightly cooled) butter, and vanilla. Here’s my secret – pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients all at once, then stir gently just until combined. A few lumps are totally fine! Overmixing makes tough donuts, and nobody wants that.
Baking the Donuts
Now for the fun part – filling your greased donut pan. I use a spoon to dollop batter into each mold, filling them only halfway. They puff up beautifully in the oven! Slide them in and set your timer for 10 minutes.
At the 10-minute mark, do the toothpick test – it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If needed, give them another minute or two. Watch closely though – overbaked donuts lose that perfect tenderness.
Glazing and Decorating
While the donuts cool for 5 minutes (seriously, don’t skip this or your glaze will melt right off!), whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for the glaze. You want it thick but pourable – like heavy cream. If it’s too thin, add more sugar; too thick, a splash more milk.
Now the best part – dunk each warm donut into the glaze, let the excess drip off, then immediately add sprinkles or crushed candy canes. The glaze sets quickly, so decorate right away! Pro tip: Place them on a wire rack over parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Donuts
After making these holiday treats more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks that guarantee bakery-worthy results every time:
- Watch the clock: Set a timer! Even 1 minute too long in the oven dries them out.
- Cool completely: Resist the urge to glaze warm donuts – they’ll absorb it instead of forming that pretty coating.
- Glaze control: Start with less milk and add gradually. You want it to slowly drip off the whisk.
- Storage secret: Keep them in a single layer – stacking makes the glaze smudge.
Follow these simple tips, and your Christmas donuts will be the talk of every holiday gathering!
Variations for Christmas Donuts Delicious Holiday Treats Recipe
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up for different holiday flavors! Here are some of the variations I’ve tried over the years that always impress:
- Citrus sparkle: Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the batter and use orange juice in the glaze instead of milk.
- Gingerbread twist: Swap the cinnamon for ground ginger and add a tablespoon of molasses to the wet ingredients.
- Chocolate lovers: Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with the butter, or make a chocolate glaze by adding cocoa powder to the sugar.
- Peppermint party: Stir crushed candy canes right into the batter and use peppermint extract instead of vanilla in the glaze.
The possibilities are endless – that’s what makes these Christmas donuts so much fun to bake year after year!
Serving and Storing Christmas Donuts
Oh, these donuts are absolute perfection fresh out of the oven – that’s when the glaze is still slightly soft and the crumb is at its fluffiest! I always plan to bake them right before serving if possible. But let’s be real – holiday mornings get crazy, so here’s my tried-and-true storage method: let them cool completely, then layer them gently in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh for 2 days (if they last that long!). Want to revive them? Just 5 seconds in the microwave brings back that just-baked magic!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating Christmas donuts for their health benefits! But since you asked, here’s the scoop on what’s in each fluffy ring (based on my exact ingredients – yours might vary slightly):
- Calories: About 180 per donut
- Sugar: 12g (that glaze is worth every grain!)
- Fat: 6g
Remember, these are estimates – the actual numbers depend on your specific brands and how generous you are with those sprinkles!
FAQs About Christmas Donuts Delicious Holiday Treats Recipe
Can I make these donuts fried instead of baked?
Absolutely! While I love the ease of baked donuts, you can fry them too. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) and drop spoonfuls of batter in. They’ll puff up beautifully – just flip them once golden brown. Drain on paper towels before glazing. Fair warning though – fried versions disappear even faster!
What’s the best gluten-free alternative?
My sister makes these with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill) and they turn out great! Just add an extra tablespoon of milk since GF flour tends to absorb more liquid. The texture stays wonderfully light and fluffy.
Any creative topping ideas beyond sprinkles?
Oh, let me count the ways! Crushed peppermint sticks, toasted coconut flakes, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate look gorgeous. Last year I did crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a pop of color – the kids went wild for them!
Can I prep the batter ahead of time?
I don’t recommend it – the baking powder starts working right away. But you can mix all the dry ingredients the night before and just add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to bake. Fresh is always best with donuts!
Share Your Holiday Creations
Nothing makes me happier than seeing your Christmas donut masterpieces! Snap a photo of your festive creations and tag me – I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. Leave a rating below if you tried the recipe, and don’t forget to tell me about your favorite holiday twist!
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Irresistible Christmas Donuts Recipe – 10-Minute Holiday Magic
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas donuts perfect for holiday treats. These festive donuts are soft, fluffy, and topped with a sweet glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp milk (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
- Sprinkles or crushed candy canes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir until just mixed.
- Spoon batter into the donut pan, filling each mold halfway.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let donuts cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze.
- Dip each donut into the glaze and add sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
- Let glaze set before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep donuts fluffy.
- Adjust glaze thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: christmas donuts delicious holiday treats recipe