Candy Cane Crunch Donuts

This post was sponsored by Good Karma Foods.

We are all about family traditions and embracing the old with the new. From our decorations to our foods for the holiday there are traditional pieces that have so many memories and meaning mixed in with our theme for the year or a little something new. This year the décor is pretty much as it was last year with a cozy theme and we’ve added in a few pieces that have been passed down to me from my grandmother (and grandfather who has no longer with us) that I remember from Christmas at their house growing up. So our colors of white, silver, gold and glittery with cozy has hints of red and black with some dishes that were passed down. I was able to coordinate some pieces like this white and gold cake stand in with them. This is so important as my grandma spends Christmas at our house as I just can’t even stand the thought of her spending it in a nursing home so for as long as she is able to stay with us over the holidays the last few years she does.

Christmas morning we wake up and I always bake something up quick and we enjoy a little treat with coffee and cocoa while opening presents and later have a brunch where my mother always makes caramel rolls and a big holiday spread that has evolved over the years as our eating has but still keeping those traditional dishes. This year I’m making donuts Christmas morning!

My families love for donuts and our monthly donut dates inspired this Candy Cane Crunch Donut Recipe. With our theme this year it just fits as it does with something meaningful to us this year. These vegan gluten free friendly donuts are a perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa during any holiday activity from decorating the tree, warming up after sledding or building a snowman, or unwrapping presents by the tree Christmas morning. I’m not sure yet if they will be these Candy Cane Crunch Donuts, Gingerbread Donuts I posted earlier this week, or another flavor the girls request.

As a dairy free company, Good Karma Foods understands that the holidays can be a challenging. Whether it be food restrictions, allergies, or just creating new traditions with your family, the holidays can look different for everyone. They asked me if I’d like to share one of my holiday traditions for their Goodness Campaign. They also just launched their Flaxmilk at Target. Instead of the holidays being stressful they want to highlight how accessible it is to embrace and evolve traditions using products/produce at Target. So with that everything from the donut pan and baking supplies to the table settings was all purchased from Target. Which if you’re like me you already spend way to much time and money at, I can’t go in for just one thing. Well except that one time and when I did I made sure to call my husband and snap a picture to share on social media.

When making donuts at home I try to make them as healthy as possible while still being a treat. I say this because they will still have the icing and sugar. I do like to use coconut palm sugar for a healthier sugar option in the donuts (and baking in general) but still powdered sugar for the icing. I like to use the Good Karma Unsweetened Flaxmilk because there is no sugar (there is enough in the donuts), the family gets a little Omega-3 boost, and it’s only 25 calories. This makes it a great non dairy milk for baking and smoothies. They also have a protein flaxmilk but it isn’t available at Target. Good Karma also has a great Plain Probiotic that we really like. It’s great for baking and smoothies, I even made a bunch of my Gingerbread Donuts using the probiotics in the donuts and the icing.

Tis the season for candy canes, Candy Cane Crunch Donuts! The holiday season comes around only once a year and it’s meant to be enjoyed. Spending time with family, baking, singing, and all the good eats. If you’re following you’ll see we’re doing a good job at enjoying all the donuts lately. As I said I try to make them as healthy as possible while still being a treat. We’re trying to keep it balanced like this weeks posts, donuts, protein shake, donuts. In real life we’re also adding in green juice, coffee, wine, and veggies! Hope you all have a great weekend and healthy happy holidays!

Candy Cane Crunch Donuts
Makes 6 donuts
1c all purpose flour, cake flour, or gluten free baking flour (used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour)*
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2c coconut palm sugar**
1/3c Good Karma Unsweetened FlaxMilk, can also use Good Karma Plain Probiotics
3 TBSP unsweetened apple sauce***
1 TBSP vanilla
1 TBSP coconut oil, melted

Icing/Topping
(Icing will cover 2-3 batches)
1c powdered sugar
1-2 TBSP Good Karma Unsweetened FlaxMilk
1/4-1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/4-1/2c crushed candy canes

* If you use a regular all purpose flour/cake flour donuts will rise and be puffier than ones shown with gluten free flour.
**You can decrease the sugar to 1/3c if wanting a lower sugar option, especially if adding the topping.
***You can sub a flax egg (1 TBSP ground flax with 2.5 TBSP water, let sit for 10 minute to thicken).
For protein donuts reduce flour to 3/4c and add 1/3c Vega Vanilla Clean Protein (vegan and gluten free protein powder, available at Target).

Preheat oven to 425F. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl mix together coconut palm sugar, Flaxmilk, apple sauce, vanilla, and coconut oil. If your mixture is too cold and the coconut oil hardens place in the microwave for 30 seconds making sure the coconut oil is melted. Whisk the wet mixture into the dry until just combine. Spray donut pan with coconut oil or non stick spray. I like to use a piping bag to fill the donut pan but you can also spoon the mixture in or place in a plastic bag and cut the corner to pipe the mixture into the pan. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Leaving donuts in the pan for 5 minutes to cool before removing. While donuts are cooling in a small bowl mix together powdered sugar and Flaxmilk until smooth. Add peppermint extract to taste, don’t add too much as you still have candy canes to add. Flip donuts onto a wire rack. Take each donut and dip top into peppermint icing. Let excess drip off a few seconds and place donut on the rack. You will want to add the crushed candy canes before the icing sets. I dip 6 and than sprinkle them, if you are slower you can add them sooner but just using caution that if you have too much icing and add the candy canes right after dipping some may slide off. Enjoy!
Tis the season for Candy Cane Crunch Donuts! #vegan #glutenfree @goodkarmafoods @BobsRedMill Share on X
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