Christmas Donut Recipe with Classic Glazes Recipe

If you’re looking to up your holiday baking game, this Christmas Donut Recipe with Classic Glazes Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these donuts come out soft, buttery, and perfectly glazed — they add such a festive touch to any Christmas morning or brunch. Plus, the glazes are super simple but finish the donuts with that shiny, irresistible look that everyone always asks about. Stick around because I’m sharing all my tips to make sure your donuts come out picture perfect and delicious every single time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here come together in a way that keeps the donuts tender, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and a hint of almond. Shopping tip: make sure you have good quality extracts because they really shine in this recipe.

• All-purpose flour: This gives the donuts structure but keeping it all-purpose ensures a soft crumb.
• Baking soda: Leavens the donuts gently for a tender texture.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and intensify flavor.
• Eggs: They add richness and help hold everything together.
• Sugar: I use granulated sugar here to get that classic donut sweetness.
• Butter (melted and cooled): Adds moisture and a delicious buttery depth to the batter.
• Vanilla extract: Classic flavor booster you can’t skip.
• Almond extract: A little goes a long way and makes these feel so festive.
• Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and tender.
• Sprinkles: For that fun, Christmas sparkle on top.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Essential for making smooth, glossy glazes.
• Cocoa powder (unsweetened): For the chocolate glaze, a good quality powder makes all the difference.
• Food coloring (optional): If you want to add some holiday hues to your glaze.

Variations

I like to mix things up depending on the occasion or who I’m baking for since this Christmas Donut Recipe with Classic Glazes Recipe is a great base for creativity. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

• Gluten-Free Version: I once swapped in a gluten-free flour blend, and while texture was a tad different, the flavor remained fantastic—just watch the baking time.
• Spiced Donuts: Adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of cloves to the dry ingredients gives these a cozy warming note perfect for the holidays.
• Maple Glaze: Instead of vanilla in the glaze, try maple extract for a unique twist that my family went crazy for last Christmas.
• Vegan Adaptation: You can replace the eggs and butter with plant-based alternatives; I’ve had success with flax eggs and coconut oil, but the donuts are softer and more cake-like.

How to Make Christmas Donut Recipe with Classic Glazes Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Start by heating your oven to 375°F. I always spray my donut pan with a good baking spray to make sure the donuts pop right out. Trust me, this avoids scrapes and broken donuts! Set it aside while you mix your batter.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step is crucial because it evenly distributes the leavening, so your donuts rise beautifully every time.

Step 3: Beat Eggs and Sugar

In a larger bowl, use your electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar until smooth and somewhat fluffy—this helps bring air into the batter for a lighter finish. I’ve noticed that rushing this step can result in denser donuts, so take your time.

Step 4: Add Butter and Extracts

Mix in the melted butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract. The almond extract is my secret ingredient here—it adds that unmistakable Christmas-y warmth that lifts the whole recipe.

Step 5: Combine Flour and Milk

Add half the flour mixture and mix gently. Then pour in the milk and mix again. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients, stirring just until smooth. Be careful not to overmix — that’s what I learned the hard way after a dense batch!

Step 6: Fill the Pan and Bake

Pour the batter into a pastry bag to pipe it into the donut cavities neatly; if you don’t have one, a spoon works fine—just be careful not to overfill. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and springy to the touch.

Step 7: Cool the Donuts

Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes—this lets them set so they don’t break when you remove them. Then transfer them to a rack to cool fully before glazing.

Step 8: Prepare the Classic Glazes

While the donuts cool, whisk together the ingredients for both the white glaze and the chocolate glaze in separate bowls. I like to add a few drops of food coloring to the white glaze to get that festive red or green glow. If the glaze feels too thin, add a bit more confectioners’ sugar until it’s perfect for dipping and decorating.

Step 9: Dip and Decorate

Once cool, dip each donut into your chosen glaze, letting the excess drip off before setting them on a rack. Add sprinkles right away for maximum color and crunch. Use leftover glaze in a piping bag to create fun designs or personalized touches—you’ll love seeing your creativity come alive!

How to Serve Christmas Donut Recipe with Classic Glazes Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for bright red and green sprinkles—especially ones with tiny edible stars or snowflakes. Sometimes I even sprinkle crushed peppermint candy for an extra festive crunch. It’s these little details that make the donuts look like a holiday party on a plate.

Side Dishes

Serving these donuts alongside a steaming cup of eggnog or a rich hot chocolate is one of my favorite morning indulgences. Fresh fruit like sliced oranges or berries brighten up the plate and balance the sweetness. For brunch, I usually add some savory bacon or sausage to mix sweet and salty flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the donuts on a festive tiered stand and added some fresh pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks around them for that cozy holiday look. You can even fill a large glass jar or basket with donuts as a gift—they make a thoughtful and delicious surprise for neighbors or coworkers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and sometimes there are none!), store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I like to layer them with parchment paper so the glaze doesn’t stick, keeping them fresh and ready to enjoy.

Freezing

Freezing works well too! Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. The glaze might get a little soft, but a quick dip in fresh glaze can refresh the look.

Reheating

To warm up leftover Christmas donuts, I pop them into a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or heat gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This revives that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness without melting the glaze too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Donut Recipe with Classic Glazes Recipe is one of those holiday treats that always brings people together in my kitchen. Every time I serve these up, I’m reminded why I love baking for the season—the joy, the vibrant colors, and the smiles after that first bite. If you want to create something sweet that’s both classic and a little extra special, I really encourage you to try this out. Once you nail the balance of soft donuts with that perfect glaze, you’ll be the holiday brunch MVP for sure!

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