One of our favorite recipes! 

There’s something about Christmas morning that brings out every bit of nostalgia and warmth in me. The twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon, and the sound of my family laughing in the kitchen — it’s all part of the magic. But for us, there’s one tradition that truly makes the day complete: our homemade Christmas donuts.

This little ritual started years ago with my mom, who loved finding ways to make the holidays extra special. Instead of store-bought pastries or a quick breakfast, she’d spend the morning frying donuts, filling the kitchen with the sweetest smell imaginable. It became our thing — coffee and cocoa in hand, powdered sugar everywhere, and a kitchen that looked like Santa’s bakery exploded (in the best way).

Funny enough, donuts have actually been part of Christmas celebrations for centuries. Back in the 1600s, Dutch settlers made “oliekoeks,” or oil cakes, during Christmastime — golden rounds of dough fried in fat, often with dried fruit inside. Germans followed suit with jelly-filled donuts during Yuletide, and soon, these festive treats spread through Europe and America. Turns out, our family wasn’t the first to think a warm donut was the perfect way to celebrate the season!

Our Favorite Christmas Donut Recipe

Every year, we play with toppings and glazes, but this baked version has become a Valentine family staple. It’s easy, festive, and one of the most popular Christmas donut recipes searched online — for good reason.

Ingredients (makes 12–15 donuts):

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Glaze & Decorations:

• White glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 Tbsp milk, red & green food coloring
• Chocolate glaze: 1½ cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 3 Tbsp milk, 1 Tbsp vanilla
• Toppings: sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or mini M&Ms

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease your donut pan.
2. In one bowl, whisk flour, nutmeg, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another, mix milk, eggs, vanilla, and oil. Combine wet and dry ingredients — just until smooth.
4. Spoon into the donut wells (a little over halfway full).
5. Bake for 11–12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before glazing.
6. For the glaze: whisk ingredients until smooth, divide and tint red and green, then dip and decorate while still tacky.

If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can fry them instead for that traditional crispy edge — either way, they’re pure Christmas joy.

Every Christmas morning, as I watch my family gathered around the tree with warm donuts and sleepy smiles, I’m reminded why this tradition means so much. It’s not just about the food — it’s about pausing, savoring, and remembering that these little moments are the heart of the holidays.

From my family to yours, merry Christmas — and may your kitchen smell like donuts and happiness this season.