22 Colorful Holiday Donut Recipes Everyone Craves

Nothing says “holiday cheer” quite like a box of freshly baked, colorfully glazed donuts. From peppermint and cranberry glazes to snow-dusted vanilla rings, these holiday donut recipes are the perfect way to bring joy to your breakfast table or dessert spread. Get ready to bake (or fry) your way through the sweetest season of the year!

1. Classic Christmas Glazed Donuts

Soft, fluffy, and topped with festive sprinkles—this is the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup sugar
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
¼ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla.
Combine wet and dry mixtures.
Shape donuts using a cutter.
Fry or bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Dip in glaze and decorate with colored sprinkles.

How to Serve It

Place on a holiday tray and sprinkle powdered sugar “snow” for a wintery effect.

2. Peppermint Frosted Donuts

Cool and minty, these donuts bring a refreshing holiday flavor to your morning.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter
½ tsp peppermint extract
½ cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients.
Blend in wet ingredients and peppermint extract.
Fill donut pan and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk, then mix in pink food coloring.
Dip donuts and top with crushed candy canes.

How to Serve It

Perfect with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and candy cane stirrers.

3. Gingerbread Spiced Donuts

Warm spices make these donuts taste like the holidays in every bite.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cloves
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup molasses
1 egg
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup melted butter

Instructions

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
Whisk wet ingredients separately.
Mix both together until smooth.
Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
Dust with cinnamon sugar while warm.

How to Serve It

Serve with a side of vanilla glaze or eggnog cream dip.

4. Cranberry-Orange Glazed Donuts

Bright and citrusy with a tangy twist, these donuts are holiday perfection.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tbsp orange zest
½ cup sugar
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter
¼ cup chopped cranberries

Instructions

Mix flour, sugar, and zest.
Blend wet ingredients and cranberries.
Combine and fill donut molds.
Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Glaze with orange juice and powdered sugar.

How to Serve It

Garnish with orange peel curls and sugared cranberries.

5. Eggnog Donuts with Nutmeg Glaze

Soft and spiced, these donuts pair perfectly with cozy December mornings.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
½ cup eggnog
1 egg
¼ cup melted butter
1 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients.
Whisk egg, eggnog, and butter.
Combine mixtures.
Bake at 350°F for 11 minutes.
Glaze with powdered sugar, nutmeg, and eggnog mixture.

How to Serve It

Dust with nutmeg and serve warm.

6. Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting

Rich, moist, and velvety—these donuts are made for festive dessert tables.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
Red food coloring

Instructions

Combine dry ingredients.
Add wet ingredients and mix well.
Pour into molds and bake 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
Frost with cream cheese icing.

How to Serve It

Top with red velvet crumbs or white chocolate curls.

7. Maple Glazed Donuts

Sweet maple and nutty crunch make this donut taste like pure comfort.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
¾ cup milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
¼ cup melted butter
1 egg
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.
Add milk, syrup, egg, and butter; mix until smooth.
Pour into donut pan and bake 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
Mix maple syrup with powdered sugar for glaze.
Dip donuts and top with crushed walnuts.

How to Serve It

Serve with extra drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

8. Hot Cocoa Donuts

Soft, fudgy, and cozy—these taste like your favorite hot chocolate in donut form.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 egg
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Combine flour, cocoa, and sugar.
Whisk in milk, egg, butter, and vanilla.
Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
Glaze with melted chocolate and top with mini marshmallows.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle with cocoa powder and serve warm.

9. Pistachio Snow Donuts

A nutty, buttery holiday donut that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup ground pistachios
½ cup sugar
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter
1 tsp almond extract

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients.
Blend wet ingredients and combine.
Bake 11 minutes at 350°F.
Frost with vanilla glaze tinted pale green.
Sprinkle crushed pistachios and powdered sugar.

How to Serve It

Add white chocolate drizzle for extra elegance.

10. Sugar Cookie Donuts

Sweet, buttery donuts that capture the taste of classic holiday sugar cookies.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
½ tsp almond extract
1 egg
½ cup milk
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix ingredients until smooth.
Bake for 10 minutes at 350°F.
Top with vanilla glaze and holiday sprinkles.

How to Serve It

Arrange with sugar cookies for a fun dessert platter.

11. Strawberry Frosted Holiday Donuts

Bright, fruity, and cheerful—these pink donuts bring the color to any celebration.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
½ cup strawberry puree
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix all ingredients until smooth.
Bake for 11 minutes at 350°F.
Make glaze with strawberry puree and powdered sugar.
Dip and sprinkle with colored sugar.

How to Serve It

Pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

12. Cinnamon Sugar Baked Donuts

Simple, warm, and classic—these are perfect for cozy mornings.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 egg
¾ cup milk
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix ingredients and pour into molds.
Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Roll warm donuts in cinnamon-sugar mix.

How to Serve It

Serve with hot apple cider or coffee.

13. Matcha White Chocolate Donuts

Delicate, earthy, and elegant—ideal for sophisticated dessert tables.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tbsp matcha powder
½ cup sugar
1 egg
¾ cup milk
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix ingredients.
Bake 11 minutes at 350°F.
Drizzle melted white chocolate on top.

How to Serve It

Garnish with gold sprinkles or white chocolate curls.

14. Pumpkin Spice Donuts

A fall-favorite flavor that fits perfectly on any holiday brunch menu.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup pumpkin puree
½ cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
¾ cup milk
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Combine ingredients until smooth.
Bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
Glaze with cinnamon sugar icing.

How to Serve It

Top with pumpkin seeds or maple drizzle.

15. Chocolate Peppermint Donuts

A minty-chocolate dream perfect for holiday dessert tables.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 egg
¾ cup milk
¼ tsp peppermint extract

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients.
Add wet ingredients and blend.
Bake 11 minutes at 350°F.
Glaze with chocolate icing and sprinkle crushed peppermint.

How to Serve It

Serve with peppermint sticks or marshmallows.

16. Apple Cider Donuts

Crisp and tangy with a hint of spice, these taste like a winter fair.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
½ cup apple cider
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Combine ingredients.
Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
Roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with hot apple cider.

17. White Chocolate Raspberry Donuts

Sweet-tart perfection that looks beautiful on festive dessert trays.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
½ cup raspberry puree
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix all ingredients.
Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
Drizzle melted white chocolate and top with raspberries.

How to Serve It

Serve chilled for a bright, refreshing treat.

18. Coconut Snowflake Donuts

Light, tropical, and wintery—these donuts look like edible snowballs.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
¾ cup coconut milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix and bake for 11 minutes at 350°F.
Frost with vanilla glaze and coat with shredded coconut.

How to Serve It

Arrange on a snowy-white serving platter for holiday parties.

19. Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts

Bright and tangy with a soft crunch from poppy seeds.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp poppy seeds
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Combine ingredients.
Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
Glaze with lemon juice and powdered sugar.

How to Serve It

Garnish with extra zest for a citrusy aroma.

20. Caramel Drizzle Donuts

Soft, buttery donuts with gooey caramel—pure holiday indulgence.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter
Caramel sauce for topping

Instructions

Mix ingredients and bake 11 minutes at 350°F.
Drizzle warm caramel and sprinkle sea salt.

How to Serve It

Pair with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

21. Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Donuts

A mix of tart fruit and rich chocolate that looks elegant and festive.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup chopped cranberries
½ cup sugar
1 egg
¾ cup milk
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Mix ingredients.
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Dip tops in melted chocolate.

How to Serve It

Top with dried cranberries for a jewel-toned finish.

22. Vanilla Confetti Donuts

Playful and cheerful—perfect for kids and holiday brunches alike.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup butter
2 tbsp colorful sprinkles

Instructions

Mix batter and fold in sprinkles.
Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
Glaze with vanilla icing and decorate.

How to Serve It

Add extra sprinkles for a bright holiday touch.

Conclusion

From frosted reds and greens to cozy spiced browns, these donuts bring sweetness and sparkle to every celebration. Try one, try them all, and fill your home with the scent of warm dough, sugar, and holiday happiness. Save this list for your next baking weekend and share the joy—one colorful donut at a time!

Madison Blake