Christmas donut recipes are a fun way to make the holiday season a little sweeter.
From classic seasonal flavors like gingerbread and peppermint to donuts decorated with festive frosting and sprinkles, there are plenty of easy ideas to make for Christmas morning, holiday brunch or a December dessert.
Homemade donut recipes can be baked or fried and dressed up with glazes, powdered sugar, chocolate and all kinds of holiday toppings.
You can even turn simple donuts into reindeer, snowmen or other Christmas treats that kids will love.
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Easy Christmas Donut Recipes
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Peppermint Mocha Donuts
Chocolate and peppermint come together in these rich, festive donuts inspired by a favorite holiday coffee. They’re a great Christmas brunch treat when you want something a little more indulgent but still easy to serve alongside coffee or hot chocolate.
These soft baked donuts bring the classic flavor of eggnog into an easy Christmas breakfast treat, complete with a sweet eggnog glaze. Since they’re baked instead of fried, they’re a simple choice when you want homemade holiday donuts without dealing with hot oil.
Warm gingerbread spices and a cinnamon-sugar coating give these donuts plenty of cozy Christmas flavor. They’re easy to make and a great pick for holiday brunch when you want something festive without frosting or elaborate decorations.
Turn ordinary donuts into a show-stopping centerpiece with thiTurn simple donuts into an eye-catching Christmas tree that doubles as a fun holiday centerpiece. It’s an easy option for Christmas brunch or a party because everyone can grab a donut right from the display.s donut Christmas tree! It’s an easy, eye-catching dessert idea that doubles as a fun holiday party display.
These baked Christmas donuts pair sweet white chocolate with cool peppermint for a classic holiday combination. They look festive enough for a Christmas brunch table while being much easier to make than traditional fried donuts.
These red velvet cake donuts have a soft, cake-like texture and a sweet glaze that makes their deep red color stand out. They're an especially pretty choice for Christmas brunch when you want a donut that feels a little more special without requiring complicated decorating.
These red velvet donuts go all-in on dessert with a sweet topping and red velvet cake crumbles. The festive red color makes them perfect for Christmas, and they're a fun choice when you want your holiday brunch donuts to double as dessert.
Sugar cookie donuts combine the flavor of a classic Christmas cookie with the soft texture of a baked donut. Add festive icing and sprinkles for an easy Christmas breakfast treat that kids can help decorate.
Gingerbread Frosted Cream Cheese and Gingerbread Cookie Crumbs
Warm gingerbread donuts get an extra holiday upgrade with creamy frosting and crunchy gingerbread cookie crumbs. They're a great choice for Christmas brunch when you want a donut with plenty of seasonal flavor and a more dessert-like finish.
Turn simple donut holes into adorable Rudolph treats with just a few fun toppings! They’re perfect for kids, parties, or school celebrations during the holidays.These Rudolph treats turn donuts into cute reindeer with a bright red nose and festive decorations. They're easy to put together and a fun Christmas brunch idea when you're serving kids or want something playful on the holiday table.
These festive Christmas donuts take a simple donut and dress it up with colorful holiday decorations. They're easy to customize, making them a good choice for Christmas morning, brunch or a holiday party where you want something fun without a complicated recipe.
Inspired by Puerto Rican coquito, these cake donuts have creamy coconut flavor with warm holiday spices and rum. They're a great pick for an adult Christmas brunch when you want something different from the usual peppermint and gingerbread flavors.
One recipe gives you six different festive Christmas donut designs, making it easy to create a colorful holiday spread. They're especially fun for a family Christmas brunch because everyone can choose a favorite design or help decorate their own.
These baked donuts combine the warm cinnamon flavor of a cinnamon roll with the convenience of a donut. They're an easy Christmas breakfast option when you're craving cinnamon rolls but want something quicker and easier to serve.
Sweet apple and warm cinnamon give these baked donuts a cozy flavor, while the cinnamon-sugar coating adds just the right amount of sweetness. They're an easy make-at-home option for Christmas brunch and a nice choice if you want a holiday donut without heavy frosting.
Tart cranberry and bright orange give these donuts a fresh flavor that stands out among richer Christmas treats. The orange-ginger glaze adds a little warmth, making them a great holiday brunch option when you want something festive that isn't overly sweet.
For dessert, add frosting, chocolate, peppermint, sprinkles or other festive decorations. Decorated Christmas donuts are also an easy addition to a holiday dessert table, especially when you want something guests can pick up and enjoy without needing plates or utensils.
Gingerbread, peppermint, cinnamon, chocolate, eggnog, cranberry, orange and vanilla are all great flavors for Christmas donuts.
Can I make Christmas donuts ahead of time?
Most donuts taste best the day they’re made, but many baked donuts can be prepared a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Add glazes and decorations closer to serving when possible.
Can Christmas donuts be baked instead of fried?
Yes. Baked donuts are an easy option for Christmas morning because they can be made in a donut pan without working with hot oil.
How do you decorate donuts for Christmas?
Use red, green or white glaze along with Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy canes, powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle or small candies. You can also decorate donuts to look like reindeer, snowmen or wreaths.
Reesa Lewandowski is the creator of Momma Lew, a New Jersey-based food blog where she shares easy, family-friendly recipes inspired by everyday life. A mom of two teenagers and a self-taught cook and baker, Reesa has spent over a decade developing simple, approachable meals—from quick weeknight dinners to festive desserts—all tested in her own kitchen. Her recipes focus on comfort food with a modern twist, seasonal favorites, and stress-free baking. Drawing inspiration from her Jersey roots, Reesa’s goal is to help busy families enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
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