Christmas Doughnuts Recipe
Enjoy these festive Baked Doughnuts recipe with Christmas Sprinkles without the guilt of added calories from traditional deep-fried doughnuts!
These baked doughnuts are just as addictive as fried doughnuts with a soft and cake-like center and crispy golden outer edge. They’re topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting, and cheerful Christmas sprinkles to get you ready for the holidays!
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THESE BAKED DOUGHNUTS WITH CHRISTMAS SPRINKLES
Baking doughnuts is definitely the healthier alternative to deep frying them, and with the festive season usually being a time of overindulgence, learning how to make your favorite desserts and sweet treats with fewer calories while still tasting amazing is a huge advantage!
CAN I STORE LEFTOVER BAKED DOUGHNUTS?
Absolutely! These baked doughnuts can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for a week. I recommend wrapping these doughnuts with plastic wrap and storing them in an airtight container or if you are worried about the frosting smudging, place them in a single layer in an airtight container.
CAN I FREEZE BAKED DOUGHNUTS WITH CHRISTMAS SPRINKLES?
Yes! These doughnuts can be frozen for up to 2 months. First flash freeze them on a baking tray in the freezer for 1-2 hours, and then wrap them with plastic wrap to be stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO REHEAT LEFTOVER DOUGHNUTS?
While you can reheat doughnuts in the microwave, they can become slightly dry. A better method for reheating doughnuts is to sprinkle them with water and then cover them with foil to reheat in the oven at 350F for 3-4 minutes.
Reheating is best reserved for plain or unfrosted doughnuts as the heat will melt the frosting and any decorative sprinkles added.
WHAT IF I DON’T OWN A DOUGHNUT PAN?
You can make these doughnuts using a muffin pan! You’ll need to bake the doughnuts in the muffin pan for 115-18 minutes or until they’ve turned a light brown color.
Another option is to make your own donut pan. Cut foil into a 4×4 square and bend gently around your middle finger. Remove your finger and then press the shaped foil into a muffin or cupcake pan.
WHAT VARIATIONS CAN I MAKE TO THESE CHRISTMAS INSPIRED BAKED DOUGHNUTS?
You can make these doughnuts dairy-free by using soy milk or coconut milk instead of dairy milk.
Instead of a cream cheese frosting, drizzle a simple sugar icing over these doughnuts and add the sprinkles while the glaze is still slightly wet. However, I love everything cream cheese, but normal icing is nice!
Use this recipe to make baked doughnuts for other occasions and holidays by simply adding different sprinkles. You can enjoy these doughnuts for Valentine’s Day, Halloween, 4th of July…the options are endless!
TIPS FOR MAKING BAKED DOUGHNUTS WITH CHRISTMAS SPRINKLES
- If you’re in a rush, buy ready-baked plain baked doughnuts from the bakery section of your local grocery store and add on the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles just before serving. I promise I won’t judge you…we all need a little shortcut!
- Easily double the ingredients for more doughnuts or make mini doughnuts using mini doughnut pans, adjusting the baking time slightly since your mini donuts will cook faster than regular-sized donuts.
- You can use a cake mix to make these doughnuts, but you’ll still need to add milk, oil, egg, and cinnamon. Just know that they will have a different texture than the recipe.
- Allow the doughnuts to cool enough before adding the cream cheese frosting and sprinkles.
More Easy Recipes To Enjoy
- Fig Loaf Cake
- Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
- Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
- Lemon Ginger Bundt Cake
- Starbucks Copycat Blueberry Muffins
Christmas Doughnuts Recipe
These festive Baked Christmas Doughnuts with Sprinkles and cream cheese frosting are health-ish as they are baked and not fried but still as delicious. They are soft and cakey, dipped in a creamy cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with Christmas sprinkles. This is the perfect holiday breakfast or dessert recipe that your whole family will enjoy!
Ingredients
For Doughnuts
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ cup vegetable oil (like canola oil, melted coconut oil or melted butter)
- ½ packed brown sugar
- ½ granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup milk (I used whole milk)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- â…“ cup Christmas sprinkles
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 2oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a donut pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oil or melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Add the sprinkles and give it a mix. Don’t overmix as the sprinkles are very fragile and they might break/melt in the mixture.
- You can either spoon the batter into the donut holes or use a large piping bag or zipped-top bag which I highly recommend. Simply cut the corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut hole, filling about halfway. With damp hands press them gently to smooth them out, this also prevents from burning the tops.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. Cool donuts in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining batter.
For the cream cheese frosting: - In a medium size bowl, combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the top of the cooled donuts. Sprinkle the Christmas sprinkles over the donuts. They are best served fresh.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
-You can use any milk you like. For a dairy free version soy milk or coconut milk works best.
Cover any leftover donuts tightly and store at room temperature up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze the donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm them up a bit in the microwave.
If you don’t have a donut pan, make this recipe into muffins using a muffin pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. You can also make your own donut pan. All you need is a cupcake pan and some regular aluminum foil. Simply cut the foil into a 4x4 square and bend gently around your middle finger. Remove your finger and press the shape you are left with into the muffin pan.