If you’re searching for the ultimate blend of cozy nostalgia and tangy flavor, look no further than Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat. Imagine golden, fried dough infused with warm gingerbread spices and the distinct character of sourdough—a merry fusion that’s simply too delightful not to share. Whether you’re serving these at a holiday brunch or just want to enjoy a whimsical baking project, these donuts will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and bring smiles all around!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe brings together pantry staples with a few unmistakable, festive touches. Each ingredient plays a starring role, ensuring your Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat taste just as magical as they look!
- All-Purpose Flour: The essential base for tender, fluffy donuts that hold their shape beautifully.
- Active Sourdough Starter (or discard): Adds gentle tang and impressive lift; a great way to use up extra starter!
- Warm Milk: Keeps the dough soft and moist while helping everything come together smoothly.
- Unsalted Butter (melted): Creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth crumb with every bite.
- Brown Sugar: Brings caramel notes that complement molasses and warm spices.
- Molasses: The secret to deep, classic gingerbread flavor and a striking color.
- Large Egg: Binds the ingredients and provides that signature soft interior.
- Vanilla Extract: Accentuates the donut’s sweetness and warmth.
- Ground Ginger: Delivers peppy spice—the heart of any gingerbread recipe!
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and coziness that’s perfect for festive treats.
- Ground Cloves: A small amount brings powerful depth and that unmistakable holiday aroma.
- Nutmeg: Subtle earthiness heightens all the other spices in every bite.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: The dynamic duo for a light, puffed texture.
- Salt: Makes every flavor pop and keeps things balanced.
- Oil for Frying (vegetable or canola): Ensures that golden, crispy donut exterior we crave.
- Powdered Sugar: The base for a simple, glossy glaze that coats the warm donuts.
- Milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze to the perfect dipping consistency.
- Vanilla Extract (for glaze): Adds a final touch of sweetness to your glaze.
How to Make Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat
Step 1: Whisk Wet Ingredients
Start your Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat adventure by combining the sourdough starter, warm milk, melted butter, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until completely smooth. This mixture becomes a fragrant base that promises a beautifully moist and flavorful donut.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. The careful blending of these dry ingredients ensures that each donut gets an even boost of spice and rise, making every bite full of holiday warmth.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Gently add the dry mixture into your bowl of wet ingredients. Stir until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. This dough should be easy to handle yet light in texture—the ideal canvas for those beloved gingerbread flavors to shine through.
Step 4: Rest and Rise
Cover your bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour. This little nap lets the sourdough starter work its magic, creating subtle tang, improved texture, and a little extra loft in your donuts.
Step 5: Shape the Donuts
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Gently roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness—just right for that classic donut puff. Use a donut cutter (or two round cutters of different sizes) to shape your treats, gathering and rerolling any scraps.
Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Carefully fry the donuts in batches, turning once, for 1 to 2 minutes per side. They should puff up and transform into golden beauties in no time. Place the fried donuts on a paper towel–lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Step 7: Glaze and Set
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze. While the donuts are still slightly warm, dip them in the glaze, letting any excess drip away, then transfer to a wire rack to set. The glaze will turn satisfyingly crackly as it cools, wrapping your Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat in sweet sparkle.
How to Serve Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat
Garnishes
For an extra pop of flair, try adding festive garnishes like a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, a dusting of powdered sugar, or tiny holiday sprinkles. Crumbled candied ginger or orange zest work beautifully for a gourmet finish, making every donut look bakery-level stunning.
Side Dishes
Pair your Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat with a mug of hot chocolate, spiced chai, or a simple cup of black coffee. For a brunch spread, serve alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a tangy citrus salad—the brightness will balance the warm, spiced donuts perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the donuts in a festive basket lined with a pretty napkin, or stack them on a fancy cake stand for a centerpiece-worthy effect. If you’re hosting a party, try threading mini donuts onto skewers for donut kabobs, or serve with shot glasses of eggnog for your most memorable dessert board yet!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Just be sure to let the glaze fully set before stacking to avoid sticking.
Freezing
After frying (but before glazing), you can freeze Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat. Cool them completely, then wrap individually in plastic and tuck into a freezer-safe bag. When a craving strikes, you’re only moments away from donut bliss.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-fryer warmth, pop the donuts in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes or zap for a few seconds in the microwave. If frozen, let them thaw at room temperature first, then warm up and glaze just before serving for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use sourdough discard instead of active starter?
Absolutely! Both active starter and discard will work for Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat. The active starter will add a bit more rise, while discard gives great flavor and helps cut down on food waste.
How do I make these donuts without a donut cutter?
No donut cutter? No problem! Use a large round cookie cutter or a glass for the outer shape, and a bottle cap for the donut hole. The rustic look only adds charm and coziness.
Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?
If you prefer to bake, you can place the shaped dough in a greased donut pan and bake at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes. They won’t be quite as crisp, but still deliver all that gingerbread joy!
How do I adjust the spices for a stronger gingerbread taste?
If you crave even bolder flavor, feel free to add a little extra ginger, cinnamon, or cloves. Taste the dough before the first rise and tweak the spices to suit your holiday spirit.
What’s the best way to make mini donuts?
Simply use a smaller cutter and shorten your frying time to about 1 minute per side. Mini Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat are perfect for party platters or gift boxes!
Final Thoughts
Baking Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat is all about infusing your home with cheer and making delicious memories. I truly hope you give this recipe a try—your taste buds (and your loved ones) will thank you! Share a batch and you’ll instantly spread the festive spirit, one dreamy donut at a time.
Print
Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts – A Festive Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour rest time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the holiday spirit with these delightful Gingerbread Sourdough Donuts. These fried treats are bursting with warm spices and are perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy breakfast.
Ingredients
Doughnut Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup active sourdough starter (discard works too)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sourdough starter, warm milk, melted butter, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture.
- Rest the Dough: Cover and let the dough rest for 1 hour to ferment lightly.
- Cut and Fry: Roll out the dough, cut with a donut cutter, and fry in hot oil until golden brown.
- Glaze and Serve: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze. Dip warm donuts and allow to set before serving.
Notes
- Best enjoyed the same day
- Try a dusting of cinnamon sugar instead of glaze for a quicker finish
- Adjust spices to taste for a stronger gingerbread flavor
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
