1-First Step: Prepare Your Ingredients Start by gathering all your ingredients to make the process smooth and fun. Measure out 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and the rest as listed, so everything’s ready to go. This mise en place step helps you stay organized and avoid any last-minute scrambles, especially if you’re adapting for dietary needs like using gluten-free flour.

2-Second Step: Mix the Dry Ingredients In a stand mixer, whisk together the dry ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, a pinch of fine sea salt, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. This creates the base for your gingerbread old fashioned donuts, blending those spicy flavors perfectly; if you want a vegan twist, ensure your mixer is clean and ready for any swaps.

3-Third Step: Combine the Wet Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients until smooth: 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup unsulphured organic molasses, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup sour cream. Once mixed, add this to the dry ingredients in the stand mixer and blend on low speed until a dough forms. This step is where the magic happens for your gingerbread old fashioned donuts, and you can easily substitute plant-based options for a dairy-free version.

4-Fourth Step: Chill the Dough After mixing, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle. This resting time helps the flavors meld and the dough firm up, which is key for cutting perfect shapes. If you’re prepping ahead, this is a great spot to pause and adapt for low-calorie preferences by considering baking instead.

5-Fifth Step: Roll and Cut the Donuts Roll the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 3/4 inch thickness, then cut out rounds using a 3-3.5 inch circle cutter and a 1.5 inch cutter for the holes. Refrigerate the cut donuts for another 30 minutes to keep them from losing shape during frying. This ensures your gingerbread old fashioned donuts fry up evenly, and you can adjust sizes if you’re making them for a crowd.

6-Sixth Step: Heat the Oil and Fry Heat canola oil to 350°F in a deep pot, then score the top of each donuts with a circle cutter about 1/4 inch deep. Fry the donuts in batches of about 3 at a time for 90 seconds to 2 minutes per side until they’re browned, and fry the holes separately for 2 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature to avoid any mishaps, and for dietary adaptations, consider air-frying for a healthier take on gingerbread old fashioned donuts.

7-Seventh Step: Make the Glaze While the donuts cool slightly, whisk together the glaze: 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup eggnog, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg until smooth. Dip the warm donuts into the glaze for that final, delicious touch. This step adds a creamy finish, and you can tweak it for vegan options by using a non-dairy eggnog substitute.

8-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Once glazed, let the donuts set for a few minutes before serving. They’re best enjoyed fresh, paired with a hot drink for the ultimate holiday experience! With a total cook time of just 15 minutes, you’ll have tasty gingerbread old fashioned donuts ready to share, and they store well for later if needed. Remember to check out our chocolate chip banana bread recipe for more baked treats that complement this one.