Decadent Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies: A Fun & Easy Recipe
Prepare to delight your taste buds and impress your friends with these utterly charming and incredibly delicious Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies! These aren’t your typical morning pastries; they’re delightful sugar cookies expertly crafted to resemble everyone’s favorite breakfast treat – the classic chocolate donut. With a rich, buttery cookie base and a luscious chocolate glaze generously topped with vibrant sprinkles, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Forget the hassle of yeast and deep frying; these baked beauties offer all the visual appeal and satisfying sweetness of a donut in a convenient, cookie form.
Making these glazed donut cookies is not only simple but also incredibly enjoyable. From mixing the straightforward sugar cookie dough to whisking up the smooth chocolate glaze, you’ll find the process surprisingly quick and rewarding. The minimal prep time means you can whip up a batch for an impromptu gathering, a school bake sale, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving. Personalize each cookie with your favorite sprinkles, adding a burst of color and a festive touch that makes them even more irresistible. Get ready to share a treat that looks as good as it tastes!
What Exactly Are Donut Cookies?
While these sweet creations are, in essence, classic sugar cookies, their charm lies in their ingenious disguise as miniature donuts. We shape and cut the baked cookies to perfectly mimic the iconic round donut form, complete with the signature hole in the middle. The magic truly happens with the application of a rich, velvety chocolate glaze, which drapes over each cookie, giving it that authentic donut-shop appeal. But what elevates them to pure perfection are the vibrant, colorful sprinkles – they add a playful pop and make these cookies truly look the part. You’re going to adore these fabulous chocolate donut cookies; they’re a creative twist on a timeless classic that brings smiles all around.
These cookies offer the best of both worlds: the delightful chewiness and familiar flavor of a sugar cookie combined with the aesthetic and topping versatility of a donut. They are perfect for parties, brunches, or simply as a special snack. Children and adults alike are captivated by their appearance, often doing a double-take before realizing they are not actually fried donuts. This makes them a unique and memorable dessert option, easy to transport and share without the mess of traditional donuts.
Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Donut Cookies
Crafting the perfect batch of homemade donut cookies starts with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that ideal texture and flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need for the sugar cookie base:
- Butter: To ensure a rich, tender, and incredibly flavorful cookie, you’ll need 2 sticks (1 cup) of unsalted butter. It’s crucial that your butter is at room temperature. This allows it to cream smoothly with the sugar, incorporating air and creating a lighter, more pliable dough.
- Granulated Sugar: We’ll use ¾ cup of granulated sugar. This not only provides the essential sweetness but also contributes to those wonderfully crisp edges and a slight chewiness in the cookie.
- Egg: Just 1 large egg is needed, also at room temperature. A room temperature egg emulsifies better with the butter and sugar, resulting in a more uniform dough and a superior final texture. If you forget to take it out ahead of time, a quick tip is to place the egg in a bowl of warm (not hot!) water for about 5-10 minutes.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our cookie dough comes from 3 cups of all-purpose flour. Make sure to measure it correctly, either by weight or by using the spoon-and-level method, to avoid overly dense or dry cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 tablespoon of good quality vanilla extract will infuse your cookies with a warm, inviting aroma and a delightful depth of flavor. Don’t skimp on the vanilla – a high-quality extract makes a noticeable difference. You can even experiment with a stronger vanilla bean paste for an even more intense flavor.
- Baking Powder: A teaspoon of baking powder is our leavening agent. It helps the cookies puff up slightly as they bake, giving them a softer, more delicate texture that mimics a cake donut.
- Salt: A pinch of salt, typically ¼ to ½ teaspoon, is essential for balancing the sweetness and naturally enhancing all the other wonderful flavors in these cookies. It brings out the best in both the butter and vanilla.
For the Irresistible Chocolate Glaze:
The chocolate glaze is the crowning glory of these chocolate glazed donut cookies, providing that signature sheen and rich, cocoa flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Powdered Sugar: The base of our smooth, sticky glaze is 2 cups of powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar). This finely milled sugar dissolves easily, ensuring a super smooth glaze that sets beautifully and provides a delightful sweetness without any grainy texture.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: To achieve that authentic chocolate taste and deep color, we’ll need 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. For a richer, more intense chocolate flavor, consider using Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- Milk: We’ll use approximately 4-5 tablespoons of milk to achieve the perfect glaze consistency. The actual amount can vary slightly depending on factors like humidity and the thickness you desire. Start with 4 tablespoons and add more a tiny bit at a time until you reach a pourable yet thick consistency that will coat the cookies without running off too quickly. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work.
- Sprinkles: Adding festive sprinkles is optional but highly recommended to make your cookies truly pop and look like authentic donuts. You’ll need about 5-6 tablespoons of your favorite colorful sprinkles to generously cover all the cookies. Experiment with different colors and shapes for various holidays or themes!
How to Make Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Make Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies: A Step-by-Step GuideFollow these simple steps to create your own batch of delightful chocolate glazed donut cookies:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), beat them together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy, typically 2-3 minutes. This process incorporates air, which is key to a tender cookie.
- Add Egg: Once the butter and sugar are perfectly creamed, add the room temperature egg to the mixture. Continue to whisk until it’s fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed, or by hand, until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
- Chill the Dough: Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it slightly into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and place it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This chilling period allows the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to roll out and preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also helps the flavors meld together.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking. Set it aside.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and your rolling pin. Take the chilled dough and roll it out until it is approximately ¼ inch thick. Using donut cookie cutters or two different sized circular cutters (one larger for the donut shape, one smaller for the hole), cut out your donut shapes. Carefully transfer the cut cookies to your prepared baking sheet. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut out more cookies until all the dough is used.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet with the cut-out cookies into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. It’s crucial that the cookies are fully cooled before glazing, otherwise, the glaze will melt and run off.
- Prepare the Chocolate Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk (half a teaspoon at a time) until it reaches a pourable, yet thick, consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Glaze and Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, spoon the chocolate glaze over each cookie, letting any excess drip off. Immediately after glazing each cookie (before the glaze sets), generously top with your desired sprinkles. Let the glazed cookies rest on the wire rack or parchment paper until the glaze has fully set, which typically takes a couple of hours at room temperature.
- Enjoy! Serve your beautiful and delicious Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies and watch them disappear!
Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature (2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the chocolate glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4-5 tablespoons milk adjust for desired consistency
- 5-6 tablespoons colorful sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
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In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy (about 2-3 minutes).
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Add the room temperature egg and continue beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
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Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together, being careful not to overmix.
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Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 15 minutes to chill and rest.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4″ thickness. Use a donut cookie cutter or two circular cutters (one larger, one smaller) to cut out donut shapes. Re-roll dough scraps as needed until all the dough is used.
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Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This is crucial before glazing.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk until you have a smooth, pourable chocolate glaze. Adjust milk quantity for desired consistency.
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Spoon the glaze over the completely cooled cookies, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately top with sprinkles as desired before the glaze sets. Let the glazed cookies cool to set completely. Enjoy your homemade Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies!
Nutrition
How Long Does Cookie Glaze Take to Harden?
The hardening time for your chocolate cookie glaze can vary based on several factors, but generally, it should take about 1 to 2 hours to fully set at room temperature. Here’s what influences it:
- Room Temperature: A cooler, less humid environment will allow the glaze to set faster. On a hot, humid day, it might take longer.
- Glaze Consistency: If your glaze is on the thinner side (more milk was added), it will naturally take longer to harden than a thicker glaze. Aim for a consistency that coats the back of a spoon and drips slowly.
- Cookie Temperature: As mentioned in the recipe, ensuring your cookies are completely cool before glazing is paramount. If the cookies are even slightly warm, they will melt the glaze, preventing it from setting properly and possibly causing it to become runny or sticky.
If you’re in a hurry and need to speed up the process, you can carefully place the glazed cookies in the refrigerator for about 30-60 minutes. This will help the glaze firm up more quickly. However, for the best results and to prevent any condensation, letting them air dry at room temperature is often preferred.
Creative Alternatives for Cutting Out Donut Cookies
Don’t have a specific donut cookie cutter on hand? No problem! You likely have several resourceful tools in your kitchen that can help you achieve that iconic donut shape for your donut cookies:
- Glass Cups or Jars: For the larger outer circle of the donut, simply use the rim of a standard drinking glass or a jar. Choose one with a diameter appropriate for your desired cookie size.
- Small Bottle Caps or Medicine Cups: For the smaller inner circle (the donut hole), look around your kitchen. A clean plastic bottle cap (from a water bottle or soda) or even a small liquid medicine cup (like those that come with children’s Tylenol or cough syrup) can work perfectly. Ensure whatever you use is thoroughly clean and food-safe.
- Piping Nozzles: If you have a set of piping nozzles for cake decorating, the round tips can be excellent for cutting out the inner circle. Just press firmly.
- Cookie Cutter Sets: Many basic cookie cutter sets include various round cutters. Use a larger one for the main shape and a smaller one for the center.
When using improvised cutters, make sure the edges are relatively sharp to get clean cuts through the dough. Lightly flour the rims of your chosen tools to prevent sticking. Always prioritize cleanliness and safety when using kitchen items for alternative purposes.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature butter and eggs. This ensures a smooth, emulsified dough that will bake evenly and have a tender crumb.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
- Chill the Dough: This step is crucial! Chilled dough is easier to roll, prevents spreading, and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Even Thickness: Roll the dough to an even ¼-inch thickness. This ensures consistent baking and prevents some cookies from burning while others are undercooked.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Patience is a virtue here! Glazing warm cookies will result in a messy, runny glaze that won’t set properly.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: The amount of milk in the glaze is a guide. Add it gradually until you reach a consistency that is thick enough to coat the cookies but still pourable.
- Immediate Sprinkling: Add sprinkles immediately after glazing each cookie. The glaze begins to set quickly, so waiting too long might prevent the sprinkles from sticking.
Storing Your Delicious Donut Cookies
To keep your Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies fresh and delicious:
- At Room Temperature: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Once the glaze has fully set, you can stack them with parchment paper in between layers to prevent sticking.
- In the Refrigerator: While not strictly necessary for freshness, if you live in a very warm or humid climate, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing Dough: You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months. Wrap the disc tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.
- Freezing Baked Cookies (unglazed): Baked, unglazed cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature and then glaze as usual.
More Delicious Glazed Cookie Recipes to Try
If you love the simplicity and deliciousness of these Chocolate Glazed Donut Cookies, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other fantastic glazed cookie recipes. Here are some more delectable options to inspire your next baking adventure:
- GLAZED PUMPKIN COOKIES
- COOKIE MONSTER COOKIES
- CHERRY ALMOND COOKIE BARS
- VANILLA MELTAWAY COOKIES
- SPICED CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD COOKIES
- GLAZED LEMON COOKIES
- SPICED APPLE COOKIES
- ICED CINNAMON PUMPKIN COOKIES
- FROSTED ITALIAN COOKIES
- GLAZED DONUT COOKIES (for a classic, non-chocolate version)
- FROSTED LEMON SUGAR COOKIES
- LEMON ZUCCHINI COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES
- LEMON MELTAWAY COOKIES
- LEMON SLICE & BAKE COOKIES
- ICED PUMPKIN COOKIES
These chocolate glazed donut cookies are not only a treat for the eyes but a true delight for the palate, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth any time of day. Their playful appearance makes them ideal for parties, children’s birthdays, or as a charming homemade gift. Whip up a batch for your next gathering or simply enjoy them as a special indulgence, and you can be confident they’ll be a resounding success. Happy baking!