🎄 Christmas Baked Vanilla Donuts
Soft, fluffy, and topped with a cheerful holiday glaze
✨ Ingredients
Donuts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup melted butter (or oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Christmas Glaze
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Red & green food coloring
Toppings (optional but fun!)
• Holiday sprinkles
• Crushed candy canes
• Mini marshmallows
• White chocolate drizzle
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🎅 Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, mix egg, milk, butter, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Pipe or spoon batter into donut pan (about ¾ full).
6. Bake 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden and springy.
7. Cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pan.
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🎨 Decorate Like Christmas Magic
1. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Divide glaze into bowls and tint red & green.
3. Dip donuts into glaze and decorate with festive toppings.
4. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.
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❄️ Optional Variations
• Grinch Donuts: Green glaze + heart sprinkles
• Santa Donuts: White glaze + red drizzle
• Peppermint Donuts: Add peppermint extract to glaze
If you're looking to add some holiday cheer to your baking this season, these Christmas baked vanilla donuts offer a festive and delicious option that's easy to prepare right at home. Using common pantry ingredients such as all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract ensures this recipe is accessible for most home bakers. The combination of baking powder and baking soda helps create that perfect light and fluffy texture in the donuts. The Christmas glaze is a delightful finishing touch that brings holiday colors to life using red and green food coloring mixed with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. This simple glaze not only adds sweetness but also creates a visually appealing surface for additional decorative toppings. Optional toppings like crushed candy canes provide a festive crunch and a subtle peppermint flavor, while white chocolate drizzle and mini marshmallows add texture and make these donuts extra special for holiday gatherings. For an even more personalized twist, try the suggested variations such as Grinch Donuts with green glaze and heart sprinkles, Santa Donuts with white glaze and red drizzle, or adding peppermint extract to the glaze for a traditional holiday flavor punch. These variations allow you to customize the donuts to your taste and holiday theme. Baking the donuts instead of frying offers a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor or texture. Using a donut pan ensures consistent shape and even baking, and the relatively short bake time of 10–12 minutes makes this recipe convenient for holiday baking sessions. These donuts also pair wonderfully with warm beverages like hot cocoa or spiced tea, making them ideal for holiday brunches, parties, or gifting to friends and family. With this recipe, you can create a festive atmosphere effortlessly in your kitchen while enjoying delicious homemade treats that everyone will love.
