Irresistibly Soft Glazed Donut Cookies: Your New Favorite Buttermilk Treat

Prepare to be delighted by these incredible **Glazed Donut Cookies**! Imagine soft, pillowy buttermilk cookies expertly shaped like mini donuts, then lavishly topped with a smooth, silky glaze and colorful sprinkles. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a dream come true for donut enthusiasts, offering all the beloved flavors and textures of a classic glazed donut in a convenient, charming cookie form. Get ready to bake a batch of pure joy! 🍩

Why You’ll Love These Easy Donut Cookies

Our family has always held a special place in our hearts for classic treats, especially maple bars. So, when the idea of transforming the beloved donut into a cookie concept emerged, I couldn’t wait to experiment! The goal was clear: create donut-shaped cookies that not only looked the part but truly captured the authentic taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture of a real donut.

Unlike many other “donut cookie” recipes that simply involve cutting donut shapes from standard sugar cookie dough, I wanted to go a step further. I opted for my tried-and-true Soft Buttermilk Sugar Cookie dough recipe. The secret lies in the buttermilk, which imparts an incredible tenderness and a slight tang, mirroring the rich, moist crumb of a homemade donut. This isn’t just a cookie; it’s an experience!

The result? Absolutely heavenly! Prepare to be introduced to your new favorite dessert. These glazed donut cookies are soft, delicate, and utterly irresistible. While the dough is a bit softer and stickier than typical cookie dough, don’t let that deter you. I’ve included plenty of helpful tips and a video below to guide you through the process, ensuring a smooth and successful baking adventure. With a little chilling time and a few simple tricks, you’ll be creating beautiful, delicious donut cookies in no time.

Essential Ingredients for Your Glazed Donut Cookies

Crafting these delightful donut-shaped cookies requires a few key ingredients to achieve their signature soft texture and rich flavor. Here’s what you’ll need for the cookie dough:

Butter: You’ll need ½ cup (or 1 stick) of softened unsalted butter. Butter is crucial for providing a rich, creamy flavor and contributes significantly to the cookie’s tender crumb. It helps create that classic bakery-style taste.
Granulated Sugar: ½ cup of granulated sugar ensures these cookies are perfectly sweet without being overpowering, balancing the richness of the butter and buttermilk. It provides essential structure and a lovely crisp edge while maintaining a soft interior.
Brown Sugar: The addition of ½ cup of light brown sugar is key. It not only adds sweetness but also a wonderful molasses-like depth of flavor and extra moisture, making the cookies incredibly soft and slightly chewy, much like a fresh donut.
Egg: Just 1 large egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the dough together, adding richness, and contributing to the overall structure and texture, ensuring your cookies bake up beautifully.
Buttermilk: ¾ cup of buttermilk is the secret weapon for these cookies. It reacts with the baking soda to create a light, airy texture and imparts a subtle tang that truly elevates the donut-like flavor profile, making these cookies stand out.
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract enhances all the sweet and creamy notes in the dough, adding that classic comforting bakery aroma and taste that is simply irresistible.
All-Purpose Flour: 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour provide the essential structure for these soft cookies. Make sure to measure it correctly using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense cookies.
Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon of baking soda is the primary leavening agent that works with the buttermilk to give these cookies their wonderful rise and soft, pillowy texture, making them light and airy.
Salt: ½ teaspoon of salt helps to balance all the flavors, preventing the cookies from tasting overly sweet and bringing out the best in every ingredient, enhancing the overall taste profile.

Glazed Donut Cookies are soft & pillowy donut-shaped cookies with a lovely chocolate or vanilla glaze & topped with sprinkles! Everything you love about donuts, only in cookie form!

Decadent Glaze Options

No donut cookie is complete without a luscious glaze! You have two delicious options to choose from: a classic vanilla glaze or a rich chocolate glaze. Both are incredibly easy to make and add that perfect finishing touch, elevating your cookies from great to extraordinary.

Vanilla Glaze Ingredients

Butter: 2 tablespoons of melted butter provides a smooth, rich base for the glaze and adds a beautiful shine, making your cookies look professionally decorated.
Milk: 2-3 tablespoons of milk are used to achieve your desired consistency. Start with 2 and add more sparingly, ½ teaspoon at a time, until it’s perfectly smooth and dippable.
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract infuses the glaze with a sweet, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the cookies, creating a classic, comforting taste.
Powdered Sugar: 1 cup of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) forms the main body of this sweet, smooth glaze, ensuring a velvety texture without graininess.

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients

Butter: 2 tablespoons of butter create a rich foundation for the chocolate glaze, adding to its luxurious texture and depth of flavor.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: ¼ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips melts into a delightful, intensely chocolatey flavor, perfect for chocolate lovers.
Milk: 2-3 tablespoons of milk will help you achieve the perfect flowing consistency for dipping your cookies. Adjust as needed to get a thick yet pourable glaze.
Powdered Sugar: 1 cup of powdered sugar is added to thicken and sweeten the chocolate base, creating a glossy, irresistible topping that sets beautifully.

Glazed Donut Cookies Recipe

These Glazed Donut Cookies are soft, delicate, donut-shaped cookies with a lovely chocolate or vanilla glaze and topped with sprinkles! These buttermilk cookies are a delicious twist on a traditional sugar cookie recipe, resulting in a heavenly sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

★★★★★

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Glazed Donut Cookies, Buttermilk Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Dough Chilling: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 36 cookies

Calories: 127kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

For the Buttermilk Donut Cookies

½ cup softened butter (1 stick)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
¾ cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

For the Vanilla Glaze

2 TBSP butter
2-3 TBSP milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar

For the Chocolate Glaze

2 TBSP butter
¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2-3 TBSP milk
1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, begin by creaming together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for approximately 1 minute using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This crucial step incorporates air, making the cookies tender. Next, add the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Mix again on low speed until all these wet ingredients are smoothly combined and thoroughly incorporated into the butter mixture.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients well with a fork or whisk to ensure they are fully combined and that the leavening agent (baking soda) is evenly distributed throughout the flour. This prevents pockets of unmixed ingredients in your cookies.
Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. First, add about half of the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Then, incorporate the remaining half, mixing only until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies.
Chill the Dough: The resulting dough will be noticeably softer and stickier than typical sugar cookie dough – this is exactly what you want for that distinct donut-like texture. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling is absolutely essential as it helps firm up the dough, making it much easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheets: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This step is important for preventing sticking and ensures that your cookies bake evenly without burnt bottoms.
Shape the Cookies: Lightly spray your cookie scoop (approximately 1.5-2 tablespoons capacity) and your hands with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop out a portion of chilled dough into your palm. Gently roll the dough into a smooth ball, then flatten it until it’s about ½ inch thick. Using your thumb and forefinger, gently press through the center of the flattened dough to create a small hole. Carefully pull and stretch the hole open wider, aiming for a diameter of about 2 to 2.5 inches, so it truly resembles a mini donut.
Bake the Donut Cookies: Place each shaped donut cookie onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between them for spreading (usually 6-8 cookies per sheet). Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. It’s crucial not to overbake these cookies to maintain their desirable soft, tender texture.
Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for an additional 2 minutes after removing them from the oven. This helps them firm up slightly before transferring. Then, carefully move them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. If any of the donut holes have closed up a bit during baking, you can gently re-punch them with a small round biscuit cutter (like a piping tip, or even a bottle cap) while the cookies are still warm and pliable.
Prepare Vanilla Glaze: In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of milk and the butter. Microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the butter is completely melted. Add the powdered sugar and whisk vigorously until the glaze is smooth and free of any lumps. If the glaze is too thick, add additional milk, ½ teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a smooth, dippable consistency. If the glaze cools and thickens while you are dipping, microwave it for an additional 15 seconds to restore its fluidity.
Prepare Chocolate Glaze: For the chocolate option, combine 2 tablespoons of milk, butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 40 seconds, or until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is warm. Whisk until smooth. Stir in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated and the glaze is smooth. Adjust consistency with additional milk as needed, just like the vanilla glaze. Reheat for 15 seconds if it becomes too cool or thick.
Glaze and Decorate: Once the donut cookies are completely cooled to room temperature, dip the top rounded surface of each cookie into your chosen warm glaze. Immediately after dipping (before the glaze begins to set), top with sprinkles if desired. Allow the glazed cookies to set for about 10 minutes on the cooling rack before serving.
Serve and Enjoy: These delightful Glazed Donut Cookies are best enjoyed fresh! Share them with friends and family, or savor them as a special treat anytime.

Video Tutorial

Notes & Tips for Success

Dough Consistency is Unique: Don’t be alarmed if the buttermilk cookie dough feels much stickier and softer than traditional sugar cookie dough. This is intentional! The high moisture content from the buttermilk is what gives these cookies their incredible cake-like, donut-like texture. Embrace the softness, but ensure you follow the chilling instructions.
Chilling Time is Key: While 1 hour is the minimum chilling time required, if you have extra time, you can chill the dough for up to 2-3 hours, or even overnight. Longer chilling can make the dough even easier to handle and can sometimes enhance the flavor development, resulting in richer cookies.
Shaping Tips: Non-stick cooking spray on your hands and cookie scoop is your best friend here. It prevents the sticky dough from adhering to your skin and tools. When forming the donut shape, be gentle but firm. The goal is a uniform thickness (about ½ inch) to ensure even baking. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly round; their homemade charm is part of their appeal!
Re-Punching Holes: It’s common for the donut holes to slightly close up or become less defined during baking. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still warm and pliable, use a small, round object (like a small biscuit cutter, the end of a round piping tip, or even a bottle cap) to gently re-punch and reshape the holes. This ensures they look exactly like miniature donuts.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies bake relatively quickly, typically in 9-10 minutes. Overbaking will lead to a dry, crumbly texture, losing that desirable soft, moist, donut-like quality. Look for lightly golden edges and centers that appear set. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet for a couple of minutes after removal.
Glaze Temperature and Consistency: Ensure your glaze is warm and smooth for the best dipping results. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk (½ teaspoon at a time); if too thin, a spoonful of powdered sugar can help thicken it up. Reheating for 10-15 seconds in the microwave if it cools down will keep it perfectly dippable.
Sprinkle Immediately: If you plan to add sprinkles, nonpareils, or other decorative toppings, do so right after dipping each cookie into the warm glaze. The glaze will begin to set quickly, and sprinkles won’t adhere well to a dry surface.

Nutrition Information

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As you can see from the image, I often cut out the holes AFTER baking to ensure the cookies maintain their distinct and recognizable donut shape perfectly! This method helps maintain the integrity of the cookie structure during baking and allows for crisp, clean edges for the “donut hole.”

How to Store Frosted Donut Cookies for Maximum Freshness

Proper storage is essential to keep your delicious glazed donut cookies fresh and delightful for as long as possible. Once you’ve frosted your cookies, allow them to sit uncovered at room temperature for at least an hour or two. This crucial step allows the glaze to set completely, preventing stickiness and smudging when stacked or stored. Rushing this step can lead to messy cookies and a compromised glaze texture.

After the glaze has fully hardened, carefully arrange the cookies in an airtight container. For an extra layer of protection, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together and to maintain their perfect appearance. Stored this way on the countertop at room temperature, these Glazed Donut Cookies will remain wonderfully soft and flavorful for up to 5-7 days, making them an excellent make-ahead treat.

Can You Freeze Glazed Donut Cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully! For longer enjoyment, you can freeze the baked and glazed cookies. Ensure the glaze is completely set before freezing. Place them in an airtight freezer-safe container, again using parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They will keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours. Freezing is a great option for enjoying these delightful treats over a longer period or for preparing a batch for an upcoming event.

Frequently Asked Questions About These Donut Cookies

Here are some common questions you might have when making these delicious Glazed Donut Cookies:

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough for these Glazed Donut Cookies is quite forgiving and can be made a day or two in advance. Simply cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap after mixing and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to scoop and shape. This is a great time-saver for busy schedules!

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No problem! You can easily make a homemade buttermilk substitute. For ¾ cup of buttermilk, simply measure ¾ cup of regular milk (whole, 2%, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond or soy milk) and stir in 2 ¼ teaspoons of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles. This acidified milk will work just like store-bought buttermilk in the recipe, providing the necessary tang and reacting with the baking soda for a tender crumb.

Can I make these cookies without sprinkles?

Of course! Sprinkles are a fun, optional addition purely for decoration and a pop of color. These Glazed Donut Cookies are incredibly delicious and perfectly satisfying with just the vanilla or chocolate glaze alone. Feel free to customize them with other toppings like finely chopped nuts, toasted shredded coconut, a drizzle of contrasting glaze, or even leave them plain for a minimalist look.

Why is my dough so sticky?

The dough for these cookies is intentionally designed to be softer and stickier than traditional sugar cookie dough, primarily due to the buttermilk content. This high moisture is key to achieving their tender, melt-in-your-mouth, donut-like texture. To manage it, ensure you chill the dough for the recommended time (at least 1 hour) to firm it up. Additionally, lightly spraying your hands and cookie scoop with non-stick cooking spray will make handling and shaping the dough much easier and less frustrating.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough is the most important step to prevent excessive spreading during baking. Cold dough holds its shape better. Also, ensure your butter isn’t too warm when mixing, and avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added. Baking on parchment paper or silicone mats can also help regulate spread. Finally, ensure your oven temperature is accurate; an oven thermometer can be a helpful tool if you suspect your oven runs hot or cold.

Delicious Variations to Try with Your Donut Cookies

While the classic vanilla and chocolate glazed donut cookies are undeniably fantastic, don’t hesitate to get creative with your flavors and toppings! These cookies provide a wonderful canvas for culinary experimentation:

Lemon Glaze: For a bright, citrusy twist, swap out the vanilla extract in the vanilla glaze for 1 teaspoon of lemon extract and add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest. This creates an incredibly refreshing and zesty flavor profile that’s perfect for spring or summer.
Maple Glaze: To capture the essence of a true maple bar, replace the vanilla extract in the vanilla glaze with maple extract. You can even add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon for extra warmth and depth of flavor, enhancing the overall maple experience.
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Cookies: Instead of a glaze, once the cookies are baked and slightly cooled, brush them generously with melted butter and then roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This gives them a delightful churro-like texture and a comforting spice flavor.
Nutty Toppings: After glazing your cookies (either vanilla or chocolate), immediately sprinkle them with finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added crunch and a rich, earthy flavor. Toasted nuts work exceptionally well here.
Coconut Dream: For a tropical touch, toast some shredded coconut until golden brown and sprinkle it over the wet glaze. The combination of sweet glaze and toasted coconut is heavenly.
Seasonal Sprinkles: Tailor your sprinkles to the season or upcoming holiday for a festive touch! Use red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or simply multi-colored sprinkles for an everyday celebration.

These **Glazed Donut Cookies** are truly a culinary delight – soft, flavorful buttermilk cookies crafted to resemble everyone’s favorite pastry, complete with a choice of smooth glaze and fun sprinkles! This recipe offers a unique and satisfying twist on traditional cookies, promising a memorable sweet treat for any occasion. Whether you’re a long-time donut lover or simply looking for a new, exciting cookie recipe to add to your repertoire, these are sure to impress. Get ready for rave reviews and happy smiles. Happy baking!