If you’re looking to add a bit of holiday magic to your breakfast or dessert table, this Christmas Donuts Recipe is a festive treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether you’re making it for a cozy Christmas morning or as a sweet surprise for a holiday party, these donuts bring warm spices and cheerful colors that feel just right this time of year.
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Why You’ll Love This
This Christmas Donuts Recipe combines nostalgic holiday flavors with a light, fluffy texture that’s simply irresistible. The warm spices and a hint of orange make every bite feel like a little festive celebration.
- Reliable Texture, Great Flavor: The balance of baking powder and soda ensures don’t these donuts come out fluffy but still slightly crisp on the outside with spices dancing on your palate.
- Crisp–Golden Finish: Baking these donuts in a pan creates that perfectly golden edge, unlike fried versions that can be heavier.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You’ll appreciate that most ingredients are staples, plus a splash of orange juice to add a festive zing, but it’s completely optional.
- Weeknight Easy, Weekend Worthy: You don’t need tons of time or fancy tools—this recipe fits nicely into busy holiday routines or leisurely brunches alike.
Ingredient Snapshot
Choosing good-quality ingredients will make your Christmas donuts taste even better. I recommend fresh spices and real buttermilk for that rich but tender crumb.
- All-purpose flour: Make sure it’s fresh and sifted for light, airy donuts.
- Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar works best to caramelize gently while baking.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Freshly ground if possible to elevate those warm holiday notes.
- Buttermilk: Adds tenderness and a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
- Orange juice (optional): Fresh juice gives a subtle brightness — feel free to skip if you prefer classic flavors.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Christmas Donuts Recipe
Step 1 — Set Up & Season
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your donut pan lightly with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine your dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You’ll notice how the spices fill the air with that unmistakable holiday scent — it’s the perfect start! Mixing the dry ingredients well at this point helps the flavors to distribute evenly throughout your donuts.
Step 2 — Sear, Toast, or Mix
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and orange juice if you’re using it. Adding the wet ingredients gradually into the dry, stir gently until just combined. You want a batter that’s slightly lumpy but not dry — overmixing can lead to tough donuts, and that’s the last thing we want during the holidays! Using a piping bag or even a zip-top bag with the corner cut off helps you fill the donut cavities neatly.
Step 3 — Finish for Best Texture
Bake the donuts for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and when a toothpick comes out clean, they’re ready. After removing from the oven, let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes so they firm up a bit, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step keeps them from getting soggy, which I’ve learned the hard way! Once cooled, dip the tops in a glossy vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, then decorate with red and green sprinkles to bring out that Christmas cheer.
Smart Little Tips
Over the years, I’ve found these handy tips really help nail the perfect Christmas donuts every time. From knowing exactly when they’re baked through to the best glazing tricks, it’ll boost your confidence in the kitchen.
- Doneness Cue: Donuts are done when tops spring back lightly and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Temperature Trick: Using room temperature eggs and butter helps the batter blend smoothly for tender donuts.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can bake the donuts a day ahead and glaze just before serving to keep them fresh.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don’t overfill your pan’s cavities—filling about three-quarters full prevents overflows and maintains their perfect shape.
Serving Ideas
Finishing Touches
For that classic Christmas look, I love the simple vanilla glaze paired with red and green sprinkles. The glaze gives just the right amount of sweetness and a glossy finish that’ll catch your eye on the holiday table. If you want to dress them up even more, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate works beautifully too.
Pair It With
These donuts go wonderfully with a cup of spicy chai tea or a rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. The warm spices in the donuts complement those flavors, making every bite and sip feel extra cozy and festive. For a brunch spread, a sharp cheddar or cream cheese spread balances the sweetness nicely.
Easy Plating Upgrades
For casual holiday gatherings, simply stack the donuts on a festive plate with sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly nearby to add color and aroma. If you’re going for more of a wow factor, place the donuts on a tiered stand and scatter edible gold glitter or crushed peppermint candy around them. It’s an effortless way to impress without tons of fuss.
Make-Ahead, Store & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Christmas donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep them soft and fresh. If your kitchen tends to be warm, the fridge also works but can dry them out a bit—just let them come back to room temperature before eating.
Freezing Tips
This Christmas Donuts Recipe freezes quite well if you want to prep ahead. Wrap each cooled donut individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep up to 2 months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for about an hour or gently warm them in the oven—faster than scrambling breakfast on a busy morning!
Reheating Christmas Donuts Recipe Without Drying Out
To reheat donuts while keeping them soft, I recommend warming them for about 15-20 seconds in the microwave with a small glass of water beside them (it creates moisture). Alternatively, you can heat them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes wrapped loosely in foil. If you have an air fryer, 3-4 minutes at 320°F works beautifully for restoring that fresh-baked feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, simply combine regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using. It won’t alter the flavor much but keeps the texture tender.
Since these are baked, they contain less oil and are lighter than traditional fried donuts. Still, they’re a sweet treat, so enjoy in moderation — but it’s a nice option for holiday indulgences!
Absolutely, you can omit the orange juice or use a teaspoon of orange zest instead. It adds a fresh citrus note but isn’t essential to the recipe’s success.
Make sure the donuts are completely cool before glazing. Also, use a glaze that’s smooth and slightly runny—too thick can crack when it hardens. Let them set at room temperature rather than in the fridge to keep the glaze shiny and soft.
Final Thoughts
PrintPrint Recipe
Delicious Recipe
This festive Christmas Donuts recipe features soft, spiced donuts with a sweet vanilla glaze and optional holiday sprinkles, perfect for celebrating the season with a delightful homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice (optional, for a festive flavor)
For the Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon milk (or heavy cream for a richer glaze)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and green sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or lightly spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the Donut Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and orange juice if using. Gradually combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon the donut batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. For a cleaner look, use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the tip cut off to pipe the batter.
- Bake the Donuts: Bake the donuts for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the donuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and glossy.
- Glaze the Donuts: Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Place them back on the wire rack to set for a few minutes.
- Decorate (Optional): Sprinkle red and green sprinkles or holiday decorations on the glaze while it is still wet for a festive touch.
Notes
- Use buttermilk for tender, moist donuts; substitute with milk and a teaspoon of vinegar if unavailable.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep donuts light and fluffy.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, use a muffin pan and adjust baking time accordingly.
- For a richer glaze, substitute milk with heavy cream.
- Add orange juice for a subtle citrus flavor that enhances the festive spices.
- Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best freshness.
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