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CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD SPICED MINI DONUTS (IMPROVISED FROM COZONAC DOUGH)

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CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD SPICED MINI DONUTS (IMPROVISED FROM COZONAC DOUGH)

CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD SPICED MINI DONUTS (IMPROVISED FROM COZONAC DOUGH)

A quick and fun holiday treat made from leftover cozonac dough! These mini donuts fry up fast and get dusted with a festive gingerbread spice blend for that unmistakable Christmas flavor. Perfect for a cozy winter snack or to share with family and friends during the holidays.

🕒 Prep Time: 20 min

🍳 Cook Time: 10 min
🍰 Servings: 4

🥄 Ingredients

Dough:

  • 200 g all-purpose flour
  • 50 g sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 packet (8 g) dry yeast
  • 1 packet bourbon vanilla sugar (e.g., Dr. Oetker)
  • 1 egg (room temperature)
  • 30 g melted butter
  • 40 ml warm milk
  • 30 ml warm water

Gingerbread Spice Mix:

  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Additional:

  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)
  • Oil for frying

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Mix all the spice mix ingredients well and store in a jar. Use as needed; this blend works great in apple desserts, pumpkin pies, cookies, and spiced lattes too.
  2. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
  3. Beat the egg and mix with warm milk, warm water, and melted butter.
  4. In a bread machine pan, pour the egg mixture, sprinkle dry yeast and vanilla sugar over it, then add the flour mixture on top. Set the machine to knead and proof.
    Alternatively, knead the dough by hand and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  5. Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll the dough into thick ropes (~2 cm diameter). Cut the ropes into 1.5 cm pieces.
  6. Cover the pieces and let rise for 30 minutes.
  7. Heat plenty of oil in a deep pan over low heat. Fry the mini donuts, turning gently with a spatula, until golden brown on all sides. They brown quickly, so watch closely!
  8. Drain the donuts on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  9. Mix 2 tbsp powdered sugar with 1 tsp gingerbread spice. Dust the warm donuts generously with the spiced sugar mixture.

💡 Tips

  • Keep the frying oil at low heat to ensure even cooking without burning.
  • Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements to get consistent dough texture.
  • The gingerbread spice mix keeps well—make a batch and use it in other festive recipes.
  • For a vegan version, substitute egg and butter with plant-based alternatives.

🎉 Perfect For

  • Festive Christmas breakfasts and snacks
  • Holiday parties and gatherings
  • Cozy winter teatime treats

📝 Final Thoughts

These gingerbread spiced mini donuts are a delightful way to use leftover cozonac dough and bring warm holiday aromas into your kitchen. Crispy outside, soft inside, and bursting with festive spices, they’ll quickly become a favorite Christmas indulgence. Simple to make and utterly delicious—perfect for sharing joy with loved ones.