Christmas Donuts Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate the season with these festive Christmas Donuts, topped with colorful red and green vanilla frosting and holiday sprinkles. They’re soft, fluffy, and perfect for sharing with family and friends during your holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or paste from 3 vanilla beans)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or paste from 2 vanilla beans)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring
• Assorted Christmas or holiday sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Liberally spray your donut pan with non-stick cooking spray or grease it with butter.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla bean paste.
4. Step 4: Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture in. Stir well until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Fill each cavity of the donut pan 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when pressed gently.
6. Step 6: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7: To make the frosting, beat the softened butter and half of the powdered sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until creamy.
8. Step 8: Add vanilla bean paste, salt, and remaining powdered sugar. Continue beating until crumbly, about 2 minutes.
9. Step 9: While mixing on high, add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
10. Step 10: Divide frosting into two bowls. In one bowl, add red food coloring until you get your preferred shade. Leave the other bowl for green food coloring.
11. Step 11: Add green food coloring to the remaining frosting until desired color is achieved.
12. Step 12: Put the green frosting in a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe it onto the cooled donuts to form wreaths.
13. Step 13: Decorate with assorted sprinkles for a festive look.
14. Step 14: Use the red frosting in a piping bag to pipe a bow shape on each wreath donut to complete the Christmas theme.
15. Step 15: Serve immediately and enjoy your festive Christmas donuts!

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, substitute half of the milk with buttermilk or sour cream.
• If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract works as a good substitute.
• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm holiday spice twist.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make these donuts gluten-free.
• You can also dip the donuts in colored glaze instead of frosting for a lighter finish.

Storage

Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Because of the frosting, they are best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or enjoy them cold.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin for donut-hole style treats or use a round cutter to shape baked sheets, but baking times may vary.

How do I get the frosting to the right consistency for piping?

Add milk one tablespoon at a time while beating until the frosting is smooth but still thick enough to hold shapes when piped.

Christmas Donuts Recipe

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4.8 from 125 reviews

Festive Christmas Donuts made from scratch with a soft, fluffy texture and decorated with vibrant red and green vanilla bean frosting and holiday sprinkles, perfect for the holiday season celebrations.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 donuts 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Donuts

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or the paste from 3 vanilla beans)

Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or the paste from 2 vanilla beans)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring
• Assorted Christmas or holiday sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your donut pan by liberally spraying it with non-stick cooking spray or greasing it with butter to ensure the donuts do not stick.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla bean paste together until smooth.
4. Combine Batter: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients bowl, pour in the wet mixtures, and stir thoroughly until the batter is fully combined and smooth.
5. Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into each cavity of the prepared donut pan, filling approximately 3/4 full to allow room for rising during baking.
6. Bake Donuts: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15–17 minutes or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed, indicating they are cooked through.
7. Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
8. Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with half of the powdered sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until light and creamy.
9. Add Remaining Ingredients to Frosting: Mix in the vanilla bean paste and salt, then gradually add the remaining powdered sugar. Continue beating until the mixture becomes crumbly, about 2 minutes.
10. Adjust Frosting Consistency: With the mixer running on high, add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency perfect for piping.
11. Color Frosting: Transfer 1/4 cup of the frosting to a separate bowl and add red food coloring, mixing until you achieve the desired color. Add green food coloring to the remaining frosting and mix well.
12. Pipe Green Frosting: Spoon the green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton star tip and pipe the green frosting onto the cooled donuts, creating a wreath shape.
13. Decorate Donuts: Sprinkle assorted Christmas or holiday sprinkles over the green frosting to add festive flair.
14. Create Red Bow: Using a piping bag with the red frosting, pipe a decorative red bow onto each donut wreath for a beautiful finishing touch.
15. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Christmas wreath donuts immediately and enjoy the festive flavors and charming presentation.

Notes

• Use vanilla bean paste for the frosting for a richer vanilla flavor, but vanilla extract can be substituted if needed.
• Don’t overfill the donut cavities to prevent batter from spilling over during baking.
• Ensure donuts are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
• If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a resealable plastic bag with a small corner cut off.
• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Christmas donuts, holiday donuts, vanilla bean frosting, festive donuts, baked donuts, holiday dessert