Christmas Donuts made to look like reindeer (specifically Rudolph)! These cute and festive donuts are simple to make and sure to be a hit this holiday season!
author’s note
My Secret To Simplifying Christmas Morning!
My oldest son has been obsessed with maple donuts for as long as I can remember, so when our local donut shop started decorating theirs for the holidays, the idea hit me immediately. I needed to recreate something fun for Christmas morning.
Now these festive donuts are part of our Christmas season. They’re adorable on a brunch spread, fun to gift to friends, coworkers, or neighbors, and they make an easy, sweet Christmas breakfast that sets the tone for the whole morning.
How To Make Christmas Donuts At Home
If you’re interested in making donuts from scratch, try this maple donuts recipe (or for semi-homemade donuts you’ve got to try our Air Fryer Donuts or Cronut recipe).
- Chocolate: Microwave chocolate melts until smooth, then pour into a small plastic bag and snip the tip.
- Decorate Donuts: Pipe eyes on donuts and press a donut hole into the center.
- Add Nose & Antlers: Use chocolate to attach a red M&M for the nose, and press broken pretzel halves into the top for antlers.
Variations
Looking for more Christmas Donut ideas? Use leftover donut holes to make a donut hole tree–these are stunning!
Christmas Donut Ingredients
| Ingredient | Helpful Notes or Swaps |
|---|---|
| Chocolate melting wafers | I use chocolate made for melting so it sets smoothly. Baking bars work too. |
| Glazed donuts | Maple or chocolate glazed are easiest to decorate and hold toppings well. |
| Donut holes | Old fashioned or powdered both work. Use what you love. |
| Mini pretzel twists | Break in half for antlers. Leftovers are great for Chex Mix or Christmas Snack Mix. |
| Red M&Ms | They make the cutest Rudolph noses. A big round sprinkle works too. |
Storage
Like all donuts, this Christmas Donut recipe is best the same day it’s made. Fresh is always better! If you need to prepare them a few hours ahead, keep them covered once the chocolate decoration has set.
More Fun Christmas Desserts:
Quick And Easy
Christmas Snack Mix
Quick And Easy
Reindeer Treats
Christmas
Christmas Crack Recipe
Desserts
Chocolate Covered Oreo Fudge
Christmas Donuts
Video
Equipment
- Medium bowl microwave-safe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chocolate melting wafers see note 1
- 12 donuts maple or chocolate glazed
- 12 donut holes old-fashioned or powdered
- 12 mini pretzel twists
- 12 red M&M’s
Instructions
- Add chocolate melts or finely chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring between each burst until nicely melted. Once melted and smooth, use a spatula to transfer every bit of chocolate into a small plastic bag. I use a cup to hold the plastic bag open so I can scoop the chocolate right inside. Seal the bag without air and cut off the tip.
- Set out all the donuts and pipe 2 closed eye shapes on each donut.
- Gently press a donut hole into the center of each donut. Use any leftover chocolate to pipe a small amount on the back of each M&M and attach them to the center of each donut hole. Break a pretzel in half and press each half gently into either side of the donut.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
As Chelsea’s husband we made these fun donuts and they were LOVED by our kids. A fun a creative recipe!