Can I make this recipe without a thermometer?

While a thermometer is strongly recommended for perfect results, you can test your oil by dropping in a small piece of biscuit dough. It should rise to the surface and begin bubbling immediately, turning golden brown in about 2 minutes. If it browns too quickly, your oil is too hot; if it soaks up oil and browns slowly, your oil isn't hot enough.

My donut holes are turning out too greasy. What am I doing wrong?

The most common cause is oil that's not hot enough. When oil temperature falls below 350°F, the dough absorbs more oil instead of instantly creating a barrier. Always check your temperature between batches and give the oil time to return to temperature before adding more donut holes.

Can I make this with homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite sweet dough recipe, you can use that instead. Just portion it into small balls and proceed with the frying instructions. The texture will be different but equally delicious.

How far in advance can I make this for a party?

For the best texture and presentation, I recommend making this wreath no more than 4 hours before serving. The glazed donuts will begin to soften over time. If you need to work ahead, you can fry the donut holes a day in advance, store in an airtight container, then glaze and arrange them the day of your event.

Christmas Wreath Donut Holes Recipe

Name: Christmas Wreath Donut Holes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups vegetable oil; 1 (16oz.) can flaky jumbo biscuits; 1½ cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 Tablespoons whole milk; Powdered sugar for dusting; Sprinkles

This festive Christmas Wreath Donut Holes recipe transforms simple biscuit dough into a showstopping holiday centerpiece that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. Warm, bite-sized donuts arranged in a wreath shape and adorned with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles – it’s the perfect treat for holiday gatherings, and takes just 30 minutes from start to finish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Impressively Simple: Don’t let the stunning presentation fool you – these donut holes are shockingly easy to make with store-bought biscuit dough.
Quick Holiday Magic: In just 30 minutes, you’ll create a festive centerpiece that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Crowd-Pleaser: These bite-sized treats disappear quickly at gatherings – just watch everyone’s faces light up when you bring this wreath to the table!
Customizable: The basic recipe serves as a perfect canvas for your creative holiday touches with different sprinkles and decorations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Flaky Jumbo Biscuits: The secret shortcut that makes this recipe so accessible! The flaky layers create the perfect texture for our donut holes.
Vegetable Oil: Creates that perfect golden-brown exterior and gives the donuts their authentic fried taste.
Powdered Sugar: Forms the base of our glaze and provides that classic donut sweetness we all love.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the glaze, transforming it from merely sweet to truly delicious.
Whole Milk: Gives the glaze its perfect consistency – thick enough to coat but thin enough to create that beautiful sheen.
Sprinkles: Red and green varieties bring that essential Christmas touch to your wreath – they’re not just decorative, they’re part of the holiday magic!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Glazes

Chocolate Glaze: Replace vanilla glaze with melted chocolate mixed with a touch of heavy cream for a decadent variation.
Maple Glaze: Substitute maple syrup for some of the milk and add a drop of maple extract for a cozy winter flavor.
Eggnog Glaze: Replace milk with eggnog and add a pinch of nutmeg for a truly festive holiday twist.

Decorative Touches

Holly Berry Look: Place small red candies as “berries” and cut green gummy candies for “leaves” around your wreath.
Snow-Covered Effect: Double up on the powdered sugar dusting for a fresh snowfall appearance.
Hanukkah Variation: Use blue and white sprinkles for a Hanukkah-themed dessert.

How to Make Christmas Wreath Donut Holes

Step 1: Prepare for Frying

Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat over medium-high until it reaches exactly 350°F using a candy thermometer. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place it near your frying station.

Step 2: Make the Glaze

While the oil heats, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. Stir until completely smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. The consistency should be thick enough to coat a spoon but thin enough to drip slowly.

Step 3: Prepare the Biscuit Dough

Open your can of biscuits and cut each biscuit into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece between your palms to form small balls. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly round – that adds to their homemade charm!

Step 4: Fry the Donut Holes

Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower a few donut holes into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd – this is crucial for maintaining oil temperature. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.

Step 5: Drain and Cool

Remove the golden donut holes with your slotted spoon and transfer to the paper towel-lined baking sheet. Allow them to cool just slightly – you want them warm but not too hot to handle.

Step 6: Glaze and Arrange

Working quickly while the donuts are still warm, dip each donut hole into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately arrange them in a wreath shape on a large round platter, making sure the glazed donuts touch each other so they’ll stick together as the glaze sets.

Step 7: Decorate

While the glaze is still wet, dust lightly with powdered sugar and sprinkle with red and green sprinkles. The wet glaze will help the decorations adhere to your wreath.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Oil Temperature is Everything: Maintain 350°F consistently – too cool and your donuts will be greasy, too hot and they’ll burn before cooking through.
Test Donut: Fry a single donut hole first to check if your oil temperature is right and to determine exact cooking time.
Work in Batches: Don’t rush the process by overcrowding the pot – this drops the oil temperature dramatically.
Assembly Line: Set up a streamlined process: frying station → draining → glazing → arranging, so you can work efficiently.
Keep It Fresh: For best texture and flavor, serve within a few hours of making. The freshness makes a noticeable difference!

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve this festive wreath alongside steaming mugs of hot cocoa, coffee, or holiday-spiced cider for a complete holiday treat experience.

Holiday Display

Place the wreath at the center of your dessert table, perhaps with a battery-operated candle (never real flames!) in the middle for dramatic effect.

Make It a Gift

Transfer smaller wreaths to festive platters, wrap with clear cellophane, and tie with ribbon for a delightful homemade holiday gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any remaining donut holes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The wreath structure will be lost, but the flavor remains delicious!

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the unglazed donut holes in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature and then glaze.

Reheating

For that fresh-made taste, reheat refrigerated or thawed donut holes in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes, then glaze while warm.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without a thermometer?

While a thermometer is strongly recommended for perfect results, you can test your oil by dropping in a small piece of biscuit dough. It should rise to the surface and begin bubbling immediately, turning golden brown in about 2 minutes. If it browns too quickly, your oil is too hot; if it soaks up oil and browns slowly, your oil isn’t hot enough.
My donut holes are turning out too greasy. What am I doing wrong?

The most common cause is oil that’s not hot enough. When oil temperature falls below 350°F, the dough absorbs more oil instead of instantly creating a barrier. Always check your temperature between batches and give the oil time to return to temperature before adding more donut holes.
Can I make this with homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite sweet dough recipe, you can use that instead. Just portion it into small balls and proceed with the frying instructions. The texture will be different but equally delicious.
How far in advance can I make this for a party?

For the best texture and presentation, I recommend making this wreath no more than 4 hours before serving. The glazed donuts will begin to soften over time. If you need to work ahead, you can fry the donut holes a day in advance, store in an airtight container, then glaze and arrange them the day of your event.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Wreath Donut Holes recipe is holiday magic at its finest – simple ingredients transformed into something truly special. What I love most is how it combines an easy cooking process with such a stunning presentation. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday brunch, afternoon gathering, or as a festive dessert, this donut hole wreath brings instant joy to any celebration. The combination of warm, freshly fried dough, sweet glaze, and festive sprinkles captures the essence of holiday indulgence – and isn’t that what seasonal treats are all about?