Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Donuts Recipe

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This year, I decided to roll up my sleeves and bring the holiday spirit into my kitchen by making my own version of these delightful festive Little Debbie Christmas Donuts.

How to make Little Debbie Christmas Donuts

Little Debbie Christmas Donuts are limited-edition holiday snacks made by Little Debbie. They are mini yellow cake donuts covered in white frosting, topped with green sugar crystals and a red icing stripe to resemble Christmas decorations.

Ingredients

For the Donut Batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
• 1/4 cup sour cream (adds moisture)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorations:

• Red gel or icing for stripes
• Green sanding sugar
• Optional: white sprinkles or edible glitter (for extra fun!)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a donut pan (preferably mini donut molds for a more accurate match to Little Debbie’s).
2. Gather all your ingredients to ensure smooth preparation. Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar) in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Make the Batter

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, melted butter, sour cream, vanilla extract, and eggs.
2. Gradually combine the wet mixture with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined (do not over-mix; this keeps the donuts fluffy).
3. Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a large Ziploc bag. Cut off the tip to make piping into the mold easy.
4. Pipe the batter gently into the greased donut pan, filling each mold about 3/4 full.

Step 3: Bake the Donuts

1. Place the donut pan into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched lightly.
2. Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Prepare the Glaze

1. While the donuts are cooling, create the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the donuts but still pourable. If too thick, add a splash of milk; if too thin, mix in more powdered sugar.
2. Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, coating the tops evenly. Place the glazed donuts onto a wire rack lined with parchment paper to catch any drips.

Step 5: Add Festive Decorations

1. Once the glaze is slightly set, drizzle red gel icing diagonally across each donut for the signature stripe.
2. Sprinkle green sanding sugar generously over the top.
3. For extra pizzazz, you can add white sprinkles or edible glitter for a magical holiday finish.
4. Let the decorations set for about 30 minutes before serving so the glaze and toppings fully adhere.

Tips for the Perfect Donuts

• Use mini donut molds: It will match the Little Debbie aesthetic better than standard-size donuts.
• Don’t over-mix: Over-mixing the batter can make your donuts dense instead of light and fluffy.
• Chill the glaze: If the glaze feels too runny, refrigerate it for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Decorate quickly: The glaze hardens relatively fast, so sprinkle the decorations while the glaze is sticky.
• Experiment with flavors: You can substitute vanilla extract with almond extract or peppermint extract to give your Little Debbie Christmas Donuts a unique twist.

What to serve with

Little Debbie Christmas Donuts (or your homemade version!) are already packed with sweetness, festive flair, and a fun holiday vibe. But pairing them with complementary treats and drinks can take your holiday spread to the next level.

1. Hot Cocoa with Whipped Cream & Peppermint: Nothing says “Christmas” like a steaming mug of creamy hot cocoa! Pair your Little Debbie Christmas Donuts with rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. Add crushed peppermint candy for a festive touch. The warmth of the cocoa balances beautifully with the sweet, glazed donuts and adds extra holiday cheer.

2. Eggnog: Eggnog is a classic Christmas drink that pairs perfectly with the buttery, cakey texture of donuts. Serve chilled or warmed eggnog sprinkled with nutmeg for a flavor combo that feels indulgent yet cozy.

3. Spiced Apple Cider: A warm mug of apple cider infused with cinnamon, cloves, and orange slices complements the vanilla glaze and sugar crystals on the Little Debbie Christmas Donuts. The fruity and spiced notes provide a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the donuts.

4. Coffee or Latte: For the adults, donuts go great with freshly brewed coffee or a holiday latte. Consider making festive coffee drinks like a gingerbread latte or flavored peppermint mocha to tie in the Christmas theme. The boldness of coffee enhances the flavors of the donuts without overwhelming them.

Ingredients Substitutes

Recreating Little Debbie Christmas Donuts at home is a fun holiday project, but you might run into situations where you don’t have specific ingredients or want to customize your recipe.

Substitutes for Donut Batter Ingredients

1. All-Purpose Flour

If you’re out of all-purpose flour or need a gluten-free option:

• Cake Flour: This gives donuts a softer and finer texture, similar to the original Little Debbie donuts. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Opt for a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Replace in a 1:1 ratio.
• Whole Wheat Flour: If you’d like a slightly healthier spin, you can use whole wheat flour. However, it will make the donuts denser, so mix it with half all-purpose flour for better results (50/50 ratio).

2. Granulated Sugar

For alternative sweeteners:

• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel-like flavor to the donuts. Replace granulated sugar using a 1:1 ratio.
• Coconut Sugar: A natural alternative that works well for a slightly less sweet, slightly earthy flavor. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: Ideal if you’re cutting back on sugar. Use a sugar blend specifically made for baking to match the sweetness in a 1:1 ratio.

3. Whole Milk

If you’re looking for dairy-free or alternative milk options:

• Almond Milk: Creates a light texture and works well if you need a non-dairy substitute.
• Oat Milk: A creamier substitute that enhances the richness of the donuts.
• Coconut Milk (Canned): Perfect for adding a subtle tropical note while keeping the recipe dairy-free. Use full-fat coconut milk for extra moisture.
• Buttermilk: For a more tender and moist donut, substitute whole milk with buttermilk.

4. Unsalted Butter

If you’re out of butter or need a vegan-friendly swap:

• Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil to replace butter at a 1:1 ratio. It adds a slight hint of coconut flavor.
• Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: These oils are neutral in flavor and work great as substitutes. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
• Applesauce: A healthier substitution for butter that adds moisture without extra fat. Use unsweetened applesauce, substituting 1/2 cup of butter for 1/2 cup of applesauce.

5. Sour Cream

Sour cream helps make the donuts moist and tender, but if you don’t have it:

• Plain Greek Yogurt: Works perfectly as a replacement for sour cream and adds a subtle tang. Use a 1:1 ratio.
• Crème Fraîche: Offers a similar flavor and texture as sour cream if you’re looking for an upscale alternative.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: As a low-fat substitute, applesauce can replace sour cream while adding moisture.

6. Vanilla Extract

If you want to experiment or don’t have vanilla extract:

• Almond Extract: Adds a nutty, lightly sweet flavor. Use sparingly (about half the amount of vanilla extract to avoid overwhelming the donuts).
• Maple Syrup: Replace vanilla extract with a touch of pure maple syrup for a warm, winter-friendly flavor.

7. Eggs

Eggs bind the batter and provide stability, but you can swap them out for dietary restrictions or allergies:

• Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water per egg (let it sit for 5 minutes). This works well as a vegan-friendly alternative.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace each egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce for a moist and soft texture.
• Mashed Banana: Replace each egg with 1/4 cup of mashed banana for a slightly fruity note.

Glaze and Decoration Substitutes

8. Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar is a key ingredient for the glaze, but if you don’t have it:

• DIY Powdered Sugar: Blend granulated sugar in a high-speed blender or food processor until it becomes fine and powdery. Add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch per cup to prevent clumping.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Use sweetened condensed milk with a splash of vanilla extract to create a simple glaze.

9. Milk in Glaze

Since milk is used to thin out the glaze, you can swap it with:

• Water: For a lighter glaze with no added flavor.
• Plant-Based Milk: Almond, oat, or coconut milk work well without compromising texture.

10. Red Gel or Icing for Stripes

• Red Food Coloring: Mix powdered sugar with a small amount of milk and red liquid food coloring to make your own icing for stripes.
• Jam or Jelly: Heat raspberry or strawberry jam and drizzle it across the donuts for a fruit-infused red stripe.

11. Green Sanding Sugar

If you don’t have sanding sugar or want creative alternatives:

• Make Your Own Colored Sugar: Combine granulated sugar with green food coloring and mix until evenly colored. Let it dry before using it for decorations.
• Green Sprinkles: Use holiday-themed sprinkles to imitate the festive look.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve made your Little Debbie Christmas Donuts, the holiday charm truly comes to life. Serve them at Christmas brunch, gift them to friends and family, or enjoy them with a cozy mug of hot chocolate by the fire.

More Donuts Recipes:

• Copycat Trader Joe’s Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
• Copycat Peachy’s Donuts Recipe
• Copycat Dunkin’ Kreme Delight Donut Recipe