A Glaze of Glory: Celebrate National Donut Day with Scentsy

The Pink Sprinkle Warmer decorates a kitchen counter nearby a plate filled with donuts. The Warmer is part of Scentsy's Oh, So Sweet Collection.

The humble donut has somehow managed to become a war hero, pop culture icon and unfussy treat, all at the same time. It’s truly earned its holiday.

So, we’re celebrating National Donut Day in the sweetest way: a from-scratch baked donut recipe and Scentsy’s new Oh, So Sweet donut-themed products.

Why do donuts have a holiday?

Chicagoans celebrated the inaugural National Donut Day in 1938 to honor the history of The Salvation Army’s Donut Lassies, women who volunteered to distribute essential goods and serve sweet reminders of home — donuts — near the front lines in WWI.

Today, we mark the day by giving ourselves permission to eat a carb-alicious treat (or 4), which we fully support.

Wait … is it donut or doughnut?

Yes. Either spelling is correct. Donut is the modern, Americanized spelling. Doughnut is the traditional form.

Why do people adore donuts?

Ask anyone, and you’ll get a different but very passionate response. We’re sure it has something to do with the addictive springy texture, golden fried exterior and scrumptious toppings. They’re the food equivalent of an indulgent hug.

And there’s a donut for every taste. Nostalgic types go for glazed or raspberry filled. Culinary adventurers might opt for a bacon-topped maple treat. And sweet toothers sigh for the tropical fixings.

Why are pink donuts with sprinkles iconic?

Donuts with fluffy pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles are childlike, cheerful and fun. A classic pink donut box got its start in California in the ’70s. And The Simpsons, a popular animated series launched more than 30 years ago, turned the pink sprinkled donut into a true cultural phenomenon.

How can I get donuts all the time?

The Pink Sprinkle Warmer, Crumb the Capybara Scentsy Buddy and three donut shop wax Scentsy Bars are all part of the Oh, So Sweet promotion.

Donuts are meant to be an occasional treat. Unless … you’re talking about Scentsy’s new Oh, So Sweet promotion to enjoy donuts guilt-free every day! The products include a wax Warmer, Scentsy Buddy and three new donut shop fragrances.

Add a little whimsy to your home with our ceramic Pink Sprinkle Warmer. It’s shaped like a donut, with hand-painted pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles.

The promotion also features three drool-worthy wax Scentsy Bars!

Maple Bacon Donut smells like salted butterscotch, deep-fried dough and pancake syrup. Toasted Coconut Donut wows with coconut liqueur, candied pralines and sugary marzipan. And the classic Raspberry Filled Donut smells like strawberry taffy, vanilla glaze and creamy fruit jellies.

If you prefer your cute on the go, consider Crumb the Capybara Scentsy Buddy. This cuddle-worthy rodent comes with a Scent Pak of your choice to tuck into his precious pink donut backpack.

Shop Oh, So Sweet

Shall we bake some donuts?

Homemade baked cinnamon sugar and glazed donuts cool on a baking rack.

These baked cinnamon sugar donuts are easy to make and best served warm.

Batter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

⅓ cup brown sugar, packed

¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (room temperature)

1 large egg (room temperature)

¼ cup milk (room temperature)

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

Topping

1 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease donut pan or muffin tin with nonstick spray.

Whisk the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Combine until just mixed. Don’t overmix the batter, which should be thicker than typical cake batter. Fill each donut pan or muffin tin cavity about half full.

Pro tip: Use a piping bag or zip-close bag with a corner snipped to squeeze batter into the donut pan.

Bake for 10 minutes until edges are slightly brown. If the donut springs back when lightly pressed, it’s done.

Cool donuts in the pan for a couple of minutes and then remove. Quickly dip the donuts in melted butter and coat all sides in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Makes 8 large donuts or 16 small donuts.

Note: If you prefer a glazed donut, whisk 2 cups of powdered sugar with ⅓ cup of half-and-half and ½ tsp. of vanilla. Dunk the donuts in the glaze.

However you celebrate National Donut Day, we hope it’s sweet. Tag us in your celebrations using #scentsy.