Christmas Donuts

Add some holiday cheer to your breakfast or brunch with these festive Christmas Donuts! Baked instead of fried, they’re soft, flavorful, and so easy to make. Whether you’re decorating them with sprinkles, edible wreaths, or a string of candy lights, they’re a creative and delicious way to celebrate the season. Perfect for sharing with family and friends or as a fun holiday baking project!

Let’s make some Christmas donuts! 

I was recently putting together a list of unique holiday party ideas and I thought a donut decorating party could be fun! Everyone could gather in their PJs and decorate donuts over coffee, cocoa, or cocktails. Put on a Christmas movie or Christmas music in the background, and it’s a party. 

I didn’t want to mention this idea without having a recipe to accompany it, so I created this Christmas donut recipe along with two delicious donut glazes. 

To make this recipe easy and approachable, we’re skipping the fried donut variety and we’re going with cake donuts. Don’t worry, they are equally as delicious and maybe a bit healthier. (This may be wishful thinking, but it’s Christmas, after all!) 

They are the perfect Christmas breakfast or brunch treat. Don’t you think?

As you can see, I had SO MUCH FUN decorating these donuts. Some got a plaid pattern, and others were turned into wreaths, to some I added a “string of lights” with mini M&Ms, and for others, I took the easy route and added sprinkles. 

No matter how you decorate and serve them, these Christmas donuts make for a fun and merry holiday treat. I know you’re going to love them. 

Let me walk you through the recipe here and then I’ll share a few tips and tricks to ensure that this recipe is a success! 

Why I Love this Recipe

• These Christmas donuts are a festive twist on a classic favorite, making them perfect for adding a splash of holiday cheer to your breakfast or brunch. Their vibrant decorations and soft, cake-like texture are guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone at the table.
• Unlike fried donuts, these baked cake donuts are simple to prepare and a bit lighter, making them an approachable recipe. Plus, they’re made with pantry staples, so there’s no need for a last-minute grocery run.
• The decorating possibilities are endless and a lot of fun! Whether you prefer plaid designs, mini wreaths, or a playful “string of lights,” you can let your creativity shine. It’s a great activity to do with kids or to make your holiday gatherings extra special.
• These donuts are perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply treating yourself during the busy holiday season. The joy of homemade treats combined with festive flair makes these donuts a must-have for your Christmas celebrations.

Ingredients

You might be surprised to find that you likely have many or all of these ingredients already in your kitchen. You can whip up these Christmas Donuts anytime you need them.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for soft and tender donuts.
• Baking Soda: Helps the donuts rise for a light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• Sugar: Sweetens the donuts and contributes to their golden-brown finish.
• Butter: Adds moisture and a rich, buttery flavor to the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to both the donuts and glazes.
• Almond Extract: Brings a subtle nutty flavor to complement the holiday spirit.
• Milk: Ensures a smooth batter and provides the perfect glaze consistency.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: The base for smooth, sweet glazes and decorative details.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds a rich chocolate flavor to the glaze.
• Sprinkles: Adds festive color and flair to your holiday donuts.
• Food Coloring: Optional, but perfect for creating vibrant, seasonal designs.

How to Make

We are ready to bake! I’m going to walk you through the steps here to make these Christmas donuts. There’s also a printable recipe card with an ingredient list at the end of this post. 

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. 
2. Spray a donut baking pan with baking spray. Set aside. 
3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 
4. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until smooth.
5. Add in the melted butter and the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix to combine. 
6. Add half the flour mixture and begin to mix. Then add in the milk and mix a bit more. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and mix just until smooth. 
7. Add the batter to a pastry bag and pipe it into the prepared pan. 

8. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
9. Let the donuts cool for five minutes in the pan, then remove them to finish cooling. 
10. Mix up the white and chocolate glazes. Add the ingredients for each into separate bowls and whisk to combine. Add food coloring to the white glaze if desired. 
11. Dip each donut into the desired glaze. Allow the excess glaze to drip off, then place the donuts on a cooling rack to let the glaze set. If using sprinkles, add them now before the glaze sets. 

12. Leftover glaze can be used to decorate your donuts. If needed, mix in a touch more confectioners’ sugar to thicken the glaze to make decorating easier. Add the thickened glaze to a piping bag, then decorate the donuts. 
13. Allow the decorative glaze to set, then enjoy the donuts or pack and store to enjoy later. 

And that’s it, you’re ready to enjoy! 

These donuts are proof that the best treats are the ones made with love, laughter, and a touch of creativity. I hope this recipe inspires you to bring a little extra magic to your holiday table this year!

How to Store

You can keep these donuts at room temperature in an air-tight container and out of direct sunlight for about five to six days. 

You can also freeze these donuts for up to three months. I recommend an airtight container. If you plan to layer, use pieces of wax paper between the layers. 

Christmas Donut Party

As I mentioned above, I’m always looking for unique ways to celebrate with friends and family during the holiday season. Why not host a Christmas Donut Decorating Party!? Bake up a bunch of donuts and invite folks to decorate them. 

Have a variety of colorful glazes and sprinkles on hand and let your guests create their own festive donuts. Looking for more Christmas party ideas? Check out this post HERE. 

Variations

You may love these Christmas donuts as they are, but you can also make them your own. Here are a few ideas to mix up this recipe. 

• Try a different design. Make your Christmas donuts into a Santa, snowman, or reindeer. Use different sprinkles, candies, or glaze colors. 
• Add flavors. Use different extracts to flavor your donuts and/or glazes.
• Create a filled donut. Use a different baking pan to create a donut that you can fill with frosting, jam, custard, etc. 
• Try a different cake base. Instead of vanilla do chocolate, red velvet, gingerbread, etc. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make fried Christmas donuts?

Of course! I don’t have a recipe for fried donuts, so you’ll have to search elsewhere, but you can certainly make a fried Christmas donut. Use my glaze recipe and design ideas to decorate. 

Do I need a donut pan?

Yes. The recipe requires a donut pan to give you that classic ring shape. I recommend THIS donut pan. (This is different then the pans you’ll see in this post as I would not recommend them.)

Can I customize the flavors in the donuts or glaze?

Definitely! You can swap almond extract for peppermint extract for a holiday twist, or add a bit of citrus zest to the batter for a bright, festive flavor. For the glaze, you can infuse it with a few drops of peppermint or orange extract to complement the season.

How long do the decorated donuts stay fresh?

Decorated donuts are best enjoyed within one to two days. The glaze will set, but if stored too long, it may lose its shine or texture. Keep them covered in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

More Christmas Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

• Cranberry Sweet Rolls
• Everything Bagel Overnight Breakfast Casserole
• Breakfast Strata Cups
• Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
• Mascarpone Cranberry French Toast

And that’s a wrap! These Christmas Donuts aren’t just a treat; they’re an experience. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh out of the oven, sharing them as part of a holiday breakfast spread, or gifting them to friends and family, they’re sure to spread joy and sweeten the season

Enjoy!  

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This Christmas donut recipe is adapted from Nordicware Baking, The First Year Blog, and Krispy Kreme.