The holiday season is upon us, and there’s nothing quite like the warmth of freshly baked cookies to fill your home with love and joy. Among the multitude of festive treats, Christmas Donut Cookies hold a special place in hearts and homes alike. These delightful treats combine the comforting flavors of classic cookies with a playful twist that resembles cute donuts, making them irresistibly charming and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients for Christmas Donut Cookies
To create these enchanting Christmas Donut Cookies, gather the following ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup powdered confectioners’ sugar (for the cookie dough)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered confectioners’ sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
- 4 teaspoons light corn syrup (for icing)
- Food coloring (red and green)
- Festive sprinkles
How to Make Christmas Donut Cookies
Now it’s time to dive into the fun part—making the Christmas Donut Cookies! Follow these simple steps to create your batch of festive treats.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: Begin by taking a large mixing bowl. Add the vegetable oil, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup of powdered confectioners’ sugar. Use a whisk or an electric mixer to blend these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add in the all-purpose flour, mixing continuously until the dough becomes smooth and fully incorporated. The dough might feel a bit sticky at first, but that is perfectly normal. Don’t rush this step; ensure everything is well-mixed for the best texture.
- Chill the Dough: Once your dough is nicely mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It’s essential to allow the dough to chill for at least 1 hour, but leaving it overnight will yield even better results. Chilling helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to shape.
- Preheat the Oven: After the chilling period, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Shape the Cookies: Once chilled, take a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a rope about 4 inches long and ½ inch in diameter. Then, shape this rope into a circle by connecting the ends, leaving a small hole in the center to mimic a donut shape. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden and slightly firm to the touch. Keep an eye on them as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
- Cool: After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Icing: For the icing, take two small bowls and mix ½ cup of powdered confectioners’ sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk and 2 teaspoons of corn syrup in each bowl. Stir until smooth. Then, divide the icing and add food coloring to each bowl, achieving shades of red and green.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, dip the top of each cookie into the icing or use a spoon to spread the icing on top. Don’t forget to sprinkle festive decorations immediately after icing to ensure they stick.
- Set: Allow the icing to harden before enjoying or storing your beautifully decorated Christmas Donut Cookies!
How to Serve Christmas Donut Cookies
Serving your Christmas Donut Cookies can be just as fun as making them. Here are a few delightful ideas that will add to the festive atmosphere and elevate your cookie game.
- Holiday Cookie Platter: Arrange your decorated cookies on a beautiful platter, mixing different colors and sprinkle patterns. This will create an eye-catching centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings and parties.
- Gift Packaging: Consider packaging several cookies in a decorative box or tin as a sweet gift for friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Personalize each box with a festive ribbon or a handwritten note for that extra touch.
- Cookie Decorating Station: If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, set up a cookie decorating station with extra icing and sprinkles. Your guests will love personalizing their cookies, creating memorable moments as they chat and laugh around the table.
- Pair with Beverages: Christmas Donut Cookies can be paired beautifully with warm beverages such as hot cocoa, coffee, or even traditional eggnog. The sweetness of the cookies complements the rich flavors of your drinks, making for a fantastic treat duo.
Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Donut Cookies
To ensure your Christmas Donut Cookies turn out perfectly delightful, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Chill Time is Essential: Make sure not to skip the chilling step. Chilling the dough helps it to firm up, making it easier to shape. Plus, it enhances the flavor by allowing the ingredients to meld together.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Remove them from the oven as soon as the tops begin to turn golden. They continue to cook on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven.
- Experiment with Flavors: Consider adding various extracts to the dough, such as almond or peppermint, for a delightful twist. You can even adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of powdered sugar in the icing.
- Layering Icing: For an extra special touch, consider creating layers of icing by allowing one layer to set before adding another. This can create fun patterns and textures on your cookies.
How to Store Christmas Donut Cookies
After all the hard work of baking and icing, you’ll want to ensure your Christmas Donut Cookies stay fresh and delicious. Here’s how to store them properly:
- Airtight Container: Once the icing has fully hardened, place your cookies in an airtight container. This will prevent them from drying out and help maintain their soft texture.
- Cool, Dry Location: Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid the refrigerator, as the cold can alter the texture of the cookies and icing.
- Short-Term Storage: If you plan to enjoy them within a week, they should remain fresh at room temperature. However, if you want to keep them longer, freezing them is an option.
- Freezing Cookies: If you decide to freeze your cookies, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Variation of Christmas Donut Cookies
The beauty of Christmas Donut Cookies lies in their versatility. You can easily create variations that suit your taste or the preferences of your guests. Here are a few ideas to inspire your creative baking:
- Chocolate Donut Cookies: Substitute a portion of the all-purpose flour with cocoa powder to create rich chocolate-flavored donut cookies. Pair them with a chocolate icing for double the chocolate goodness.
- Spiced Version: Add warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the dough. These spices will complement the holiday vibes and provide a cozy flavor profile.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate those with dietary restrictions. Just be sure to check that your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
- Festive Shapes: You can also play with shapes! Instead of traditional donut shapes, try forming the dough into stars, trees, or candy canes for a more whimsical holiday touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Christmas Donut Cookies?
Christmas Donut Cookies are festive, sweet treats shaped like donuts. Made with simple ingredients, they are fun to bake, decorate, and share during the holiday season.
How should I store Christmas Donut Cookies?
Store your Christmas Donut Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. For longer storage, consider freezing them layered between parchment paper in an airtight container.
Can I customize the icing on Christmas Donut Cookies?
Absolutely! You can use a variety of food coloring to create a spectrum of festive hues. Adding sprinkles or other decorations can also personalize your cookies to match your holiday theme.
Are Christmas Donut Cookies suitable for gift giving?
Yes! These cookies are perfect for gifting. Consider packaging them in decorative boxes or tins to share the joy of baking and holiday cheer with friends and family.
How long do Christmas Donut Cookies take to bake?
Christmas Donut Cookies typically bake in about 16-18 minutes until they are golden on top. Be sure to not overbake them to keep them soft and delicious.
Christmas Donut Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup powdered confectioners’ sugar (for the cookie dough)
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered confectioners’ sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 teaspoons light corn syrup
- Food coloring (red and green)
- Festive sprinkles
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by taking a large mixing bowl. Add the vegetable oil, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup of powdered confectioners’ sugar. Whisk or use an electric mixer to blend until smooth.
- Gradually add in the all-purpose flour while mixing continuously until the dough is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape the chilled dough into ropes about 4 inches long and ½ inch in diameter, then connect the ends to form a donut shape. Place them on the baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake the cookies for 16-18 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly firm.
- Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Icing and Decorating
- For the icing, mix ½ cup of powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk and 2 teaspoons of corn syrup in two small bowls. Add food coloring to each for desired colors.
- Once the cookies are cool, dip the tops in icing or spread with a spoon. Immediately add festive sprinkles while the icing is still wet.
- Allow the icing to harden before enjoying or storing.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!