Hello Dolly Bars are a holiday favourite! Try a fun spin on the traditional Hello Dolly in the form of these fun holiday donuts!
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Hello Dolly! I only discovered the wonders of the famous Hello Dolly bars last Christmas, when a friend made them for our cookie exchange. I’m obsessed! They’re so good. They contain so many of my favourite ingredients in baking; coconut, pecans, chocolate…and condensed milk. You just can’t go wrong with condensed milk!
Speaking of condensed milk, the resort in Mexico had a giant vat (yes, VAT) of condensed milk as well as dulce de leche to self-serve pour over your pancakes, waffles or French toast. I only indulged in it once, on my birthday. Caramel covered French toast? Yes, please!
I’m happy to be back in the kitchen, but it was such a nice break not having to cook or clean dishes for 10 days! I’m also missing the endless amounts of fresh cut fruit and morning mimosas. We had such a good time! Obviously, we had our not-so sunny moments too, as can be expected when traveling with three small children, but for the most part everyone had fun!
Even though I did my fair share of indulging in Mexico, I’m not ready to go too healthy just yet. It is the holiday season, after all! I’ll be shamelessly jumping on the get-fit bandwagon with everyone else in January. For now, check out these holiday donuts 😉
Why are they called Hello Dolly bars?
I don’t know! Haha, but really. I questioned it myself, and looked it up all over the Internet but there is no real explanation. Hello Dolly bars are sometimes called magic bars or 7 layer bars. This article gave me a bit of insight, but if you figure out the reason for the “Hello Dolly”, please come let me know?
I love coming up with new donut flavours, so it only made sense to me that I would try to turn my favourite holiday bar into donut form!
As you know, I love my baked donuts. I especially love bringing it out during the holidays, to make some extra special treats for the mornings. My cranberry white chocolate donuts are another Christmas favorite! If you haven’t invested in a donut pan yet, you have to! This is the one
What’s in these holiday donuts?
These holiday donuts are basically chocolate chip donuts, with coconut and chopped pecans mixed in. I’ve finished them off with a glaze made of – you got it – condensed milk! And some crushed graham crackers on top.
Who doesn’t want a soft, fluffy donut with a smooth glaze on Saturday morning!? Since this is the season for all sorts of decadent treats, it would only be fitting to give these donuts a go!
If you try them, let me know.
I love baked donuts! I’ve got a few other options for you to try on the blog:
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Holiday Donuts
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
Description
A holiday classic in donut form – making it perfectly acceptable for breakfast! Soft chocolate chip baked donuts with pecans, coconut and a condensed milk glaze make for a perfect weekend treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. oil (neutral oil, like grapeseed or canola)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- crumbled graham crackers, for topping (1-2)
- shredded coconut, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and spray an 8-cavity donut pan with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. In another medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, oil and vanilla. Whisk in the buttermilk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour the wet ingredients into the middle. Using a large spoon, stir the batter until just combined. Add in the chocolate chips, pecans and coconut and stir to combine. Do not overmix!
- Either spoon the batter into the donut cavities, 3/4 full, or empty the batter into a large Ziploc bag, cut one end off and pipe the batter into the donut cavities. Or use a piping bag! I have pictures of this here.
- Bake the donuts for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops spring back when poked. Allow the donuts to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the donut pan onto a wire rack to completely cool.
- Prepare the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar and condensed milk, adding more or less or either ingredient until you reach a fairly thick consistency. Dip each cooled donut in the glaze, and then decorate with crushed graham crackers and/or more coconut.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven Baked
Keywords: holiday donuts // christmas donuts
Hello dolly? Hello deliciousness! These look (and sound) just what my day needs! Well, maybe a couple of these and a big pot o coffee 😉 Have a wonderful upcoming weekend, Katherine! XO
Hah!! I love your comment. Your day definitely needs these, Dawn! Coffee and donuts, can’t be beat right!? Thanks girl! You too!
Did I get it right: you only enjoyed dulce de leche once while on vacation? Katherine, what was the point to go to Mexico and skip this part haha? And while I’ve never heard of Hello Dolly bars, these donuts look and sound delightful. You cannot be wrong with the combo of pecans, coconut, and chocolate.
I knooooow!! Ben, you’re so right. But at least my pants still fit when I got home, haha! I knew you’d like that flavour combo. Thanks friend!
These donuts are AMAZING!!! Chocolate chip donuts with coconut, condensed milk, and pecans? I’m in!! I’m glad had a fun and delicious vacation, Katherine!
You are too sweet!! Thank you Thao!! You totally can’t go wrong with condensed milk. It makes everything better (even my oatmeal this morning)! 😉
What a fun, baked donut!! I love that you turned that iconic bar recipe into baked donuts!! Glad you enjoyed your vacation….that vat of sweetened condensed milk sounds AMAZING too hahahaha. And calories don’t count again until the 1st of the year hehehe.
Thanks Kelly!! Oh my goodness, I think we all need more vats of sweet things in our life, haha! It sure made for a fun experience dipping into that thing! You’re so right. I think calorie is a 4 letter word until January 😉
Um sweetened condensed milk on pancakes? How have I never thought of that? AMAZING! Not that I could ever bring myself to eat something like that for breakfast but it sounds incredible :). And speaking of incredible, these donuts sound soooo good! I’ll take a dozen please! Glad you guys enjoyed your vacation!
I KNOW – it is kind of ridiculous and kind of genius all at the same time. A dozen coming your way, Kelsie! Thanks pal!
These need to be a holiday tradition at our house Katherine! They sound delicious!
I completely agree, Mary Ann!! Thanks!
These Hello Dolly Donuts look MARVELOUS! Coconut, chocolate, pecans and condensed milk -I’m afraid that batch would be gone in roughly 10 minutes in my house (and that’s a generous estimate!!) So delicious! 😀
Yay! Thanks Catherine. The batch was gone VERY quickly. My family was pulling on my legs while I tried to take some photos, haha! Cheers!
I’ve never heard of Hello Dolly bars but these doughnuts definitely take my fancy. Lots of my fave ingredients too.
Oh you’ve got to try them, Marie! They’re one of my absolute favourites! Thanks pal!
I’m so glad you had a nice vacation with your family Katherine! 10 days is the perfect amount of time to get away! And you’ve jumped right back into the kitchen with these delicious donuts! The glaze sounds like a decadent treat!
Thank you Leanne! 10 days was the right amount. We wouldn’t have been ready to leave by 7 but by 10 we were starting to feel ready to be home! They’re a great little treat for sure 🙂
So glad you had a well-deserved getaway, Katherine! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!!
These donuts looks SO good – perfect holiday breakfast!
It was a wonderful vacation! I’m already wishing to go away again! Thanks Marissa, I totally agree!
Katherine, these donuts look AMAZING!!!! And that glaze with condensed milk, I absolutely love it. I have not heard of Hello Dolly donuts before, but it is such a cute name.
By the way I will see you on the get fit bandwagon in January as well. Baking festive treats for the past month and a half has been especially traumatic for my waistline..😬
Hope that you are having a great weekend 🙂
THANK YOU!! 🙂 I just love condensed milk, I wish it was healthy for you ha! Yeeees I am just kind of letting myself enjoy the holidays and all of the sweets for this month, but I’ve got to get back on track as soon as it’s over! Hope you had a wonderful weekend yourself! XO
Welcome home! I love hello dollies and your donuts would make such a yummy holiday breakfast indulgence!!!
Thanks Liz! Happy to be home 🙂 They’re definitely a terrific breakfast!
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Your version of Hello Dolly Donuts recipe is the best I’ve ever tried! I’ve made them about 4 times now and every time they turn out absolutely delicious! My kids loved these donuts. Thank you Katherine for great recipe!
Mason, you made my day!! Thank you SO much for sharing, and I’m so glad your family loves the donuts. We love them too!!
Hello Dolly Donuts pairs great with my morning cup of tea <3 Really love this recipe 🙂