Name: Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (240g) all purpose flour; ¼ tsp nutmeg; ½ cup (99g) granulated sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp (148ml) milk (skim used); 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp (89ml) vegetable oil; 2 cups (227g) powdered sugar; 2 Tbsp milk (skim used); Red and green food coloring; 1 ½ cups (169g) powdered sugar; ¼ cup (21g) cocoa powder; 3 Tbsp milk (skim used); 1 Tbsp vanilla extract; Christmas jimmie sprinkles; Christmas nonpareils; Mini M&Ms; Candy eyeballs; Pretzels

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 55 reviews

If you’re looking to bring some extra joy to your holiday baking this year, then you’re going to want to stick around for this Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe. These donuts are not only adorable with their fun, colorful glazes and sprinkles, but they also turn out perfectly soft and fluffy every single time. I absolutely love how this recipe captures the magic of the season in each bite, and I know you’ll enjoy making (and eating) them just as much as I do!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Follow: The straightforward ingredient list and clear steps mean even beginners will succeed without stress.
Customizable Festive Glazes: You get to play with colors and decorations that make these donuts truly special for Christmas.
Light and Fluffy Texture: My family goes crazy for these donuts thanks to their soft crumb that melts in your mouth.
Fun for the Whole Family: Decorating together becomes a joyful tradition that brings everyone closer during the holidays.

Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these Christmas donuts is partly in the simple yet perfectly balanced ingredients. I like to use staple pantry items that come together beautifully — and the glaze ingredients let you get as creative as you want with colors and toppings.

Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe - Ingredients

All purpose flour: Make sure it’s fresh for the lightest donuts; I always sift it to avoid lumps.
Nutmeg: A tiny pinch adds just the right holiday warmth, so don’t skip it!
Granulated sugar: Use regular sugar — it helps the donuts brown evenly.
Baking powder: This is the secret to your donuts’ fluffiness, so check it’s fresh.
Salt: Just a little enhances all the sweet flavors beautifully.
Milk: I use skim milk here, but whole milk works great too for creamier donuts.
Eggs: They give the donuts structure and richness — don’t substitute.
Vanilla extract: Loads of holiday cheer comes from this — real vanilla is best.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the donuts moist without overpowering the flavor.
Powdered sugar: Essential for silky smooth glazes — be sure to use the finest.
Cocoa powder: For the chocolate glaze; I prefer unsweetened Dutch-process.
Food coloring: Red and green make your glazes pop with holiday spirit.
Sprinkles and decorations: Think Christmas jimmies, mini M&Ms, candy eyeballs, and pretzels for that festive flair.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe my own by switching up the glazes and decorations depending on the mood or the crowd. You can totally customize these to match your style or dietary needs!

Gluten-Free Version: I’ve tried substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and the texture still comes out surprisingly great—just watch the baking time closely.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk, and swap the vegetable oil for coconut oil for a subtle twist.
Flavor Twists: Adding orange zest to the batter adds an extra festive zing that our family adores.
Spicy Kick: I once added a dash of ground cinnamon and ginger to the batter for a cozy warmth that felt perfect for winter evenings.

How to Make Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Donut Pan

First things first, preheat your oven to 350ºF. While it’s warming up, don’t forget to grease your donut pan thoroughly. I like to spray it with a non-stick cooking spray and then go over each cavity with a paper towel to catch any extra — this little trick helps the donuts release perfectly without sticking!

Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

In a smaller bowl, mix your flour, nutmeg, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Getting these well blended upfront makes the batter smoother, and the nutmeg adds a subtle, cozy flavor that just screams Christmas!

Step 3: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

In a larger bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until combined. Slowly add your dry ingredients, folding gently with a spatula just until you don’t see any dry patches. Be careful not to overmix — that’ll keep your donuts tender rather than tough.

Step 4: Fill Those Donut Wells

Spoon your batter evenly into the donut pan’s wells. I find using a small spatula to smooth out the tops helps the donuts bake evenly and come out looking beautiful. Try not to overfill; the donuts puff up nicely with just the right amount.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the donuts for 11-12 minutes — you’re looking for a golden color and a clean toothpick test in the center. I like to let them cool right in the pan for about 10 minutes before flipping it upside down and gently tapping the pan to release them. This little patience-paying-off moment is key for donuts that keep their shape perfectly!

Step 6: Whip Up Your Festive Glazes

For the white glaze, mix your powdered sugar and milk until smooth. I divide it into three bowls: one stays classic white, one gets a drop of red food coloring, and the other a touch of green. For the chocolate glaze, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla until silky. Dipping the donuts into these glazes is my favorite part — watch that excess drip back into the bowl for even coverage!

Step 7: Add Your Festive Decorations

Once glazed, sprinkle on your Christmas jimmies, mini M&Ms, candy eyeballs, or even little pretzel antlers for reindeer donuts. I love using the decorations like a palette, creating playful designs that always bring smiles around the kitchen table.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: I used to whisk until everything looked smooth, but that made my donuts dense—mix until just combined for tender results.
Test Your Donuts Early: Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness a minute or two before the timer.
Use Gel Food Coloring: It gives much richer color without thinning your glaze, which I learned after trying liquid food coloring first.
Allow Glaze to Set Naturally: Resist the urge to rush frosting; letting it sit at room temp helps the glaze harden just right.

How to Serve Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe

Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually stick with colorful Christmas jimmies and sprinkle on mini M&Ms because they add such a nice crunch and brightness. Pretzels are my go-to for reindeer antlers—super cute and salty balance! Sometimes I add candy eyeballs for fun faces that are a real hit with kids (and adults, honestly).

Side Dishes

I like pairing these donuts with a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate or a creamy eggnog latte — it’s the perfect holiday combo that makes the kitchen feel cozy instantly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these donuts on tiered serving platters with festive ribbons and pine garlands around. Another fun idea is serving them in mini gift boxes tied with twine — practical and adorable for gifting neighbors or coworkers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which I hope you do!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I’ve found that glazing them just before serving keeps their texture fresh and inviting.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unglazed donuts wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. They hold up well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw fully and then apply your festive glazes and decorations.

Reheating

To warm leftover donuts, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly toast in a toaster oven. Just be sure to add the glaze and toppings fresh after warming if possible to keep them looking crisp and colorful.

FAQs

Can I make these Christmas donuts without a donut pan?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can pipe the batter into muffin tins or use a silicone donut mold. Just adjust baking time slightly and keep an eye for doneness. The shape may differ, but the taste stays just as festive and delicious.
What’s the best way to get the glaze smooth and shiny?

Using powdered sugar sifted before mixing helps avoid lumps. Also, whisk your glaze well and add milk gradually to get a smooth consistency. For shiny glaze, letting it sit at room temperature to set naturally is key — avoid refrigerating the glazed donuts right away.
Can I make these donuts in advance for a party?

Definitely. You can bake the donuts a day or two ahead and store them wrapped airtight. Apply the glaze and decorations just before serving to keep everything fresh and festive-looking.
What if I’m allergic to nuts or other common ingredients?

This recipe doesn’t include nuts, so it’s naturally nut-free. However, always check your decorations and glazes for allergens, especially store-bought sprinkles. To be safe, pick allergy-friendly toppings and always read labels.

Final Thoughts

I truly believe this Christmas Donuts with Festive Glazes Recipe is a wonderful way to add laughter, creativity, and deliciousness to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re making them with your kids or bring them to a cookie exchange, these donuts never fail to impress and brighten the mood. Give them a try — I promise you’ll be hooked on how fun and rewarding holiday baking can be!