Over the years for various reasons my family’s Christmas traditions have faded into distant memories. That’s why I cling now to the few traditions we have left, or rather the new traditions we’ve concocted over the past few years. Growing up Christmases were always at my childhood home in Redding, CT, but now Christmases are celebrated in a much quieter sort of way in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. But I still love it! Christmas has definitely evolved over the years, but I think it’s still great in its own, new way.

One of my family’s favorite parts of Christmas is my homemade donuts! These donuts are stupid good (translation: they’re super easy to make and crazy delicious!). If you’re not making these donuts, well, you need to be! Here’s the recipe below. What’s your favorite family Christmas tradition? Do you have too many traditions it’s hard to keep track of or do you cherish just a few special moments? I’d love to know!

Homemade Donuts:

• Pillsbury biscuits (I buy the Southern Homestyle kind…any kind is good, except flakey. Whatever you do, don’t buy flakey!)
• Lots of vegetable/canola oil (maybe 3-4 cups)
• Medium size frying pan, deep
• Toppings (Up to you, but this is what I do):
  • Cinnamon Sugar– 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Chocolate ganache
  • Crushed up candy canes
  • Shredded coconut

Directions:

• Heat oil up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Prep biscuits by cutting holes in the center (to make into donuts)
• Save the donut wholes, you’ll fry these into munchkins!
• Test oil’s temperature by dunking 1 munchkin into frying pan (if it sizzles then the oil is hot enough!)
• Place donuts gently in pan (you don’t want the hot oil to burn you)
• Check on them every 1-2 minutes or so using a fork, flip once they are golden brown on the fist side
• Brown the second side, then carefully remove from oil and place on sheets of paper towel to dry
• Let donuts and munchkins dry and cool down, then decorate with the toppings!
  • I like to place the cinnamon sugar in a shallow bowl and rub the donuts around on both sides to get a nice covering
  • For the chocolate ganache I warm up in the microwave before spreading over the top of the donuts with a knife
  • Top with fun extras, like coconut and candy canes!

Finally, and most importantly, enjoy! These donuts will bring you 100% pure happiness (and a full stomach once you eat like one, two, all of them.)