Glazed Sprinkle Donuts
Festive Holiday Treat
If Christmas had a flavor, it would be these Glazed Sprinkle Christmas Donuts — soft, fluffy, buttery donuts topped with a sweet vanilla glaze and festive sprinkles that sparkle like holiday lights.
They’re baked, not fried (so you can totally justify a second one), and they come together in under 30 minutes using simple, dairy-free ingredients. These donuts are perfect for cozy December mornings, Christmas brunch, or any day that needs a little extra cheer.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Donuts
Baked, not fried: Light, fluffy, and easy to make — no hot oil required.
Festive and fun: Bursting with colorful sprinkles that make them pure joy to look at.
Dairy-free and simple: Made with pantry staples and a handful of ingredients.
Perfect for gifting or brunch: Cute, cheerful, and crowd-pleasing.
Glazed to perfection: The shiny vanilla icing sets beautifully with a sweet finish.
Tips for Perfect Donuts
Don’t over bake: Keep them soft and fluffy by checking at 10 minutes.
Use a piping bag: It makes filling the donut pan super clean and easy.
Cool completely before glazing: The glaze will melt if the donuts are warm.
Switch up your sprinkles: Use red, green, gold, or snowflake shapes for Christmas.
Make it pepperminty: Add crushed candy canes or a few drops of peppermint extract to the glaze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Makes about 6–8 donuts, depending on size
For the donuts:
3 tablespoons butter (vegan butter if needed)
⅓ cup sugar
½ cup applesauce
¼ cup non-dairy milk
2 teaspoons baking powder
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup almond flour
4–5 tablespoons sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons non-dairy milk (to thin)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: add a drop of peppermint or almond extract for a holiday twist.
How to Make Glazed Sprinkle Christmas Donuts
Step 1: Make the Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy. Add in the applesauce, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract, whisking again until combined.
Stir in the baking powder, all-purpose flour, and almond flour until a smooth, thick batter forms. Gently fold in the sprinkles — don’t overmix, or the colors may bleed into the batter (unless you’re going for tie-dye donuts, which is also a vibe).
Step 2: Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter evenly into your prepared pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Smooth the tops with a spatula for even baking.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and spring back when touched.
Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of non-dairy milk. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk until you get a smooth, pourable glaze.
For color, add a drop of food coloring to make festive red, green, or white icing.
Step 4: Glaze and Sprinkle
Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then immediately top with sprinkles before the glaze sets.
Place the donuts on a cooling rack to allow the glaze to harden slightly (if you can wait that long).
Why These Are the Ultimate Holiday Donuts
They’re festive, fun, and taste like holiday joy in every bite. The combination of buttery, soft donut and that glossy vanilla glaze makes these irresistible. And the sprinkles? They’re basically edible Christmas confetti.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday brunch, classroom treat, or cozy weekend morning, these donuts deliver instant cheer. They also make a fun edible gift — just box them up in a cute holiday tin or wrap individually for a sweet homemade surprise.
Variations to Try
Chocolate Glazed Christmas Donuts: Swap the glaze for melted chocolate + a touch of coconut oil.
Gingerbread Donuts: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ginger to the batter.
Candy Cane Donuts: Stir crushed peppermint candy into the glaze for crunch.
Birthday Donuts: Use rainbow sprinkles and vanilla glaze for any celebration.
How to Store
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Keep for 5–6 days — glaze may harden slightly.
Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze fresh for best texture.
Serving Ideas
These donuts pair perfectly with a cozy mug of hot cocoa, a peppermint mocha, or a chai latte by the fire. Serve them on a Christmas morning breakfast board or stack them into a “donut tower” centerpiece for holiday parties.
They’re also the ultimate excuse to bake with kids — because who doesn’t love adding too many sprinkles?
Final Thoughts
These Glazed Sprinkle Christmas Donuts are everything we love about holiday baking — cheerful, cozy, colorful, and irresistibly sweet. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like Christmas morning.
Bake a batch, pour yourself a hot drink, and enjoy a little holiday magic in donut form.
Because when in doubt, add more sprinkles. ✨🍩