There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into freshly made Christmas Doughnuts—soft, pillowy, and shimmering with glaze. These festive treats pack the warm spices of the season and come loaded with bursts of color from red and green sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies. Whether you’re making a batch for a Christmas morning breakfast or sharing them at your holiday party, these doughnuts add a little extra magic to the festivities. There’s so much to love about this recipe, from its cozy flavors to its irresistible holiday charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how a handful of everyday ingredients come together to create something so special! Each component in these Christmas Doughnuts is essential—adding to their tender crumb, rich flavor, and festive look. Let’s give every layer of deliciousness its credit.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the doughnuts their perfect structure and fluffiness.
- Baking powder: Helps the doughnuts puff up with a light, airy texture.
- Baking soda: Adds extra lift and a gentle golden color during frying or baking.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every flavor note.
- Ground cinnamon: Lends that classic holiday warmth that makes these doughnuts irresistible.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a dash boosts the seasonal spice profile.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with browning.
- Brown sugar: Adds a lovely depth of flavor and a touch of moisture.
- Eggs: Help bind everything together and create a rich, tender crumb.
- Buttermilk: Brings slight tang and makes the doughnuts super moist.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness—melted so it mixes smoothly with the wet ingredients.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the doughnuts with a comforting, aromatic sweetness.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Gives you crisp, golden exteriors if you’re taking the classic route.
- Powdered sugar: The base for that dreamy, sweet glaze.
- Milk: Helps thin the glaze to that perfect dunkable consistency.
- Red and green sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies: The ultimate festive finish for Christmas Doughnuts—use whichever fits your holiday mood!
How to Make Christmas Doughnuts
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. This creates the foundation for your Christmas Doughnuts and ensures that the spices are evenly distributed in every bite, so you never miss a hint of that cozy holiday flavor.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until everything is beautifully smooth and combined. This magic mixture brings sweetness, richness, and a hint of tang that makes the doughnuts downright addictive.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Now, gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry using a spatula or wooden spoon. You want to mix just until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Overmixing is the enemy of fluffy doughnuts, so stop as soon as you see it all come together!
Step 4: Roll and Cut the Dough
Lightly flour your countertop and roll out the dough to about ½-inch thickness—think puffy clouds rather than pancakes. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (a wide glass and a bottle cap work in a pinch) to shape classic doughnuts. Gather any scraps, re-roll, and cut until you’ve used every last bit.
Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Gently slide the doughnuts into the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry each side for 1–2 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them onto a paper towel-lined tray so they drain and stay crisp.
Step 6: Glaze and Decorate Your Christmas Doughnuts
When the doughnuts are cool but still slightly warm, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl to make your glaze. Dip each doughnut into the glaze, letting the excess drip off briefly. Before the glaze sets, shower them with red and green sprinkles or a shimmering dusting of crushed peppermint candies. Give them just 10 minutes to set, and they’re ready to steal the show!
How to Serve Christmas Doughnuts
Garnishes
The right garnish turns these Christmas Doughnuts into true holiday showstoppers. Don’t hold back: pile on the festive sprinkles, dust with powdered sugar, or crown them with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint. For a grown-up twist, add a sparkly drizzle of white chocolate or a dusting of edible glitter.
Side Dishes
These doughnuts shine on their own but get even better with a cup of creamy hot chocolate or spiced chai tea. If you’re serving a holiday brunch, set them beside fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, or even a big bowl of cinnamon whipped cream for dipping. Every bite feels like a festive party!
Creative Ways to Present
Impress your guests by stacking Christmas Doughnuts on a tiered stand, arranging them in the shape of a Christmas tree, or threading them onto pretty skewers for a playful treat display. Individually wrapping them as edible gifts or adding a handful to your cookie trays will light up anyone’s holiday season—and your table will look fabulous, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with leftover Christmas Doughnuts (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Slip a sheet of wax paper between layers to keep the glaze looking picture-perfect.
Freezing
To freeze, skip the glaze and decorations, then wrap cooled doughnuts individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep their fresh-from-the-oven flavor for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and adding those festive touches.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked warmth, pop doughnuts in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or heat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. If you’re reheating frozen doughnuts, let them thaw first, then warm and glaze for maximum joy.
FAQs
Can I bake Christmas Doughnuts instead of frying?
Absolutely! Just bake them at 375°F for 10–12 minutes on a parchment-lined tray. They won’t be quite as crisp but will be just as flavorful and festive—plus, you get to skip the oil splatter.
How do I keep the doughnut holes from getting tough?
A gentle touch is key—don’t overmix the dough and fry the holes in small batches, turning once for even color. They cook quickly, so watch them like a hawk!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You can mix the dough and refrigerate it (covered) for up to 12 hours before shaping. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before rolling and cutting to make it easier to handle.
What flavors can I add to the glaze?
Try mixing in a little peppermint or vanilla extract for bonus holiday cheer, or add a splash of almond extract for something unique. Food coloring is fun, too—go wild with candy cane stripes or snowflake blues!
How can I make these Christmas Doughnuts gluten-free?
Use a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and make sure your other ingredients are gluten-free. The result is just as festive and tasty, though the texture might be a bit different—nobody will notice when they see that holiday glaze!
Final Thoughts
There’s so much heart—and holiday spirit—packed into every batch of Christmas Doughnuts. If you love sharing fresh, homemade treats with friends and family, these should be your go-to recipe for the season. Give them a try, have fun with the decorations, and spread some extra sweetness this Christmas!
Print
Christmas Doughnuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 doughnuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Doughnuts are a delightful holiday treat that will bring festive cheer to your table. Light and fluffy, these doughnuts are fried to perfection, glazed with a sweet icing, and decorated with colorful sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies.
Ingredients
Doughnuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- vegetable oil for frying
Glaze and Decoration:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- red and green sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies for decoration
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Doughnut Shaping: Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Cut into doughnut shapes using a doughnut cutter or two round cutters.
- Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry doughnuts in batches, 1–2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Glazing and Decorating: Whisk together powdered sugar and milk to make a glaze. Dip cooled doughnuts into the glaze and decorate immediately with sprinkles or crushed peppermint. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.
In a separate bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
Notes
- For baked doughnuts, bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes instead of frying.
- You can customize the glaze with peppermint or vanilla extract for extra holiday flavor.
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