When the holiday season rolls around, I love surprising my family with something special and unexpectedly fun for breakfast. These Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe are exactly that—colorful, soft, and perfectly sweet treats that bring instant joy to the table. If you’re looking to brighten up your Christmas morning and impress everyone without hours in the kitchen, this recipe will become your new holiday favorite. Trust me, you’ll find these donuts both festive and ridiculously delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, Festive Glazes: They instantly bring that holiday cheer and make the donuts look irresistible.
- Soft, Fluffy Donuts: The texture is spot-on—light but comforting, perfect for a Christmas morning treat.
- Easy to Make at Home: Using a donut pan and simple piping tricks, you’ll get bakery-quality donuts quickly.
- Fun for Everyone: Kids and adults alike love decorating their own with colorful sprinkles and glazes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for common baking staples that you probably have on hand—but the magic is combining them just right for those festive bright glazes and perfectly soft donuts. When shopping, grab good-quality extracts and fresh eggs for the best flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base of your donut dough—makes for a tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps your donuts rise and stay light.
- Salt: Balances sweetness to enhance the flavors.
- Eggs: They give the donuts structure and richness.
- Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning.
- Butter (melted and cooled): For moistness and a wonderful buttery taste.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, comforting notes.
- Almond extract: A little goes a long way for that subtle, festive twist.
- Milk: Softens the dough and keeps it light.
- Sprinkles: The fun part—adds color and crunch.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Used for the bright, shiny glaze that coats your donuts.
- Cocoa powder (for chocolate glaze): Gives you a rich chocolate version of the glaze.
- Food coloring (optional): For that extra pop of festive color on your white glaze.
Variations
I’ve played around quite a bit with this Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe, and the beauty is how adaptable it is. Feel free to tweak it to match your family’s tastes or dietary needs—you can even switch up how you decorate them to match any holiday vibe.
- Gluten-free Version: I’ve swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with great results—just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
- Vegan Adaptation: I experimented with flax eggs and plant-based milk; the texture changes a bit but still yields tasty donuts.
- Spiced Donuts: Adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter gives a cozy flavor twist that’s perfect for cold mornings.
- Holiday Colors: Use natural food coloring like beet juice or spinach powder for pretty and wholesome glazes.
How to Make Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Donut Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. While that warms up, spray your donut pan generously with baking spray to make sure the donuts pop out easily. This little step can save you a lot of frustration—I learned that the hard way after my first batch stuck like glue!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix will ensure the soda and salt distribute evenly, which makes every bite consistent and perfectly balanced.
Step 3: Beat Eggs and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until smooth and well combined. This step adds air to the batter, making your donuts delightfully fluffy. When I skip this, my donuts turn out dense, so don’t miss it!
Step 4: Add Butter and Extracts
Now pour in the melted, cooled butter along with the vanilla and almond extracts. Mixing these in while the eggs are still fluffy helps evenly distribute the rich flavors.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Add half of your flour mixture and start mixing gently. Next, pour in the milk, and then add the remaining flour. Mix just until smooth—overmixing can make the donuts tough, and nobody wants that! The batter should be thick but easy to pipe or spoon.
Step 6: Fill the Donut Pan
For neat, evenly-sized donuts, I love using a pastry bag to pipe the batter into the pan. But if you don’t have one, just spoon the batter in carefully. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full to give your donuts room to puff up without overflowing.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the donuts for 12-15 minutes until they’re golden and spring back when lightly pressed. Let them cool in the pan for five minutes—this helps them set—and then pop them out to finish cooling completely on a rack. Don’t skip cooling fully or your glaze might slide right off.
Step 8: Mix Your Bright Glazes
Whisk together your white glaze with confectioners’ sugar, milk, a pinch of salt, and vanilla. This is where you can add a few drops of food coloring for vibrant holiday hues. For a chocolate glaze, just mix in cocoa powder too. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar until it’s the right dipping consistency.
Step 9: Glaze and Decorate
Once your donuts are cool, dip the tops into your glaze, letting the excess drip off. Quickly add sprinkles before the glaze sets if you want that extra festive crunch. If you’re feeling creative, use the thicker glaze to pipe patterns or write holiday messages on the donuts—it’s super fun to do with kids!
Pro Tips for Making Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe
- Don’t Skip Cooling Completely: I learned the hard way that dipping warm donuts causes the glaze to slide off—patience pays off!
- Use a Pastry Bag: It saves mess and gives your donuts a clean, professional shape in the pan.
- Adjust Glaze Thickness: Adding powdered sugar little by little helps you reach the perfect glaze consistency for dipping or piping.
- Don’t Overmix Batter: Overworking the dough makes donuts dense; mix just until everything is combined for tender results.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep things classic and colorful with red and green sprinkles, but sometimes I add crushed peppermint candy or edible glitter for a little sparkle. Fresh cranberries on the side also make a gorgeous contrast and an extra burst of festive flair.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair perfectly with a hot cup of spiced coffee or rich hot chocolate—my family goes crazy for that combo! You could also serve them alongside a fruit salad with oranges and pomegranate seeds to brighten the plate and add freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged these donuts on a tiered cake stand decorated with pine sprigs and fairy lights—makes a stunning centerpiece. Another time, I wrapped a donut from the batch individually in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon for gifting neighbors and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After glazing, store your leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I keep mine on a cooling rack covered loosely with a clean kitchen towel to keep the glaze from getting sticky. They stay surprisingly fresh and still taste amazing the next day.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these donuts before unglazed—just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw completely and then glaze them fresh. This trick saves so much time when holiday mornings get busy!
Reheating
If you want to warm up leftover donuts, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For a bit of crispness, a quick reheat in a toaster oven works nicely too—just don’t overdo it or the glaze will soften too much.
FAQs
-
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! I’ve swapped regular flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum, and it works really well. Just watch your batter’s consistency since gluten-free flours can vary, and you might need a little more milk or adjust the baking time slightly.
-
What if I don’t have a donut pan?
If you don’t own a donut pan, you can try making donut holes by baking the batter in mini muffin tins or fry them in oil for traditional donuts. Baking times will differ, so keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick.
-
How do I prevent glaze from running off the donuts?
The key is to let the donuts cool completely before glazing. Warm donuts cause the glaze to melt and drip off. Also, make sure your glaze is the right thickness—not too thin—by adding more confectioners’ sugar if needed.
-
Can I use this recipe to make different flavored glazes?
Yes! The glaze base is super versatile. You can add peppermint extract for a holiday twist, lemon juice for a fresh zing, or swap cocoa powder for a chocolate version like I do. Get creative with colors and flavors to match your festive theme.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe turns out every time—soft, colorful, and full of sweet holiday spirit. When I first tried it, I was amazed at how simple ingredients and easy steps created something so special. Making these donuts has become my go-to Christmas morning tradition, and I’m confident you’ll have just as much fun making and enjoying them with your loved ones. So go ahead, get creative with your glazes, gather around the table, and make some magical memories this season!
Print
Festive Christmas Donuts with Bright Glazes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 62 min
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Donuts are soft, fluffy, and bursting with holiday cheer. Baked to perfection and topped with colorful glazes and sprinkles, they make a delightful treat for your breakfast or brunch celebrations. Easy to prepare and decorate, these donuts bring joy and sweetness to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter (melted and cooled)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 cup milk
White Glaze
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (plus more to thicken if needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp milk
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (optional)
Chocolate Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (plus more to thicken if needed)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Decoration
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Spray the donut baking pan with baking spray and set it aside to ensure the donuts don’t stick while baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add butter and extracts: Pour in the melted and cooled butter along with the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix everything together until well incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients and milk gradually: Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix briefly. Then, pour in the milk and continue mixing. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and stir just until the batter is smooth without overmixing.
- Fill the donut pan: Transfer the batter into a pastry bag and pipe it into the prepared donut pan, or use a spoon to fill each mold evenly.
- Bake the donuts: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for five minutes to firm up, then carefully remove them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the glazes: While the donuts cool, whisk together the ingredients for the white glaze in one bowl and the chocolate glaze in another. Add food coloring to the white glaze if desired. Adjust thickness by adding more confectioners’ sugar if needed for decorating.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip each cooled donut into your desired glaze. Let the excess drip off, then place the donuts on a cooling rack to set the glaze. If using sprinkles, add them immediately before the glaze hardens.
- Decorate: If you want to add decorative touches, thicken the glaze as needed, put it into a piping bag, and pipe designs onto the donuts. Allow the decorative glaze to set fully.
- Serve and store: Enjoy your beautiful Christmas donuts fresh, or store them in an airtight container to savor later.
Notes
- These donuts feature bright colors and festive designs, making them perfect for bringing holiday cheer to your breakfast or brunch.
- Using a piping bag to fill the donut pan ensures uniform donuts, but spooning works as an alternative.
- Make sure the butter is cooled before mixing to avoid curdling the batter.
- Leftover glaze can be refrigerated and reheated gently to maintain consistency for decorating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 498 kcal
- Sugar: 61 g
- Sodium: 423 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 82 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
