Adorable Pink Donut Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Parties & Sweet Treats
Get ready to delight everyone with these charming and irresistibly delicious **Pink Donut Sugar Cookies**! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re beautifully crafted sugar cookies adorned with a vibrant pink glaze and playful sprinkles, cleverly designed to mimic miniature frosted donuts. Perfect for adding a touch of whimsy and sweetness to any celebration, these **glazed donut cookies** are a fantastic choice for baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, or simply as a fun weekend baking project. Their adorable appearance is matched only by their delightful taste, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
The process of making these **homemade donut cookies** is an enjoyable journey from mixing the butter and sugar to seeing the final, festive creations emerge from the oven. You’ll find that this recipe for **pink sugar cookies** is surprisingly simple to follow, yielding results that look professionally made yet are entirely achievable for bakers of all skill levels. With minimal effort, you can create a batch of stunning cookies that are as delicious as they are visually appealing. Let’s dive into how you can bring these cute treats to life!
What Exactly Are Pink Donut Cookies?
While these delightful treats may look like mini donuts, they are, in essence, classic sugar cookies shaped and decorated to resemble their fried counterparts. We start with a rich, buttery sugar cookie dough, which is then rolled out and cut into fun donut shapes – complete with the signature hole in the middle! Once baked to golden perfection, these cookies are transformed with an incredibly easy-to-prepare powdered sugar glaze, tinted a beautiful shade of pink. The final flourish? A generous scattering of colorful sprinkles, instantly elevating them from impressive to absolutely irresistible. These **faux donut cookies** capture all the visual charm of a donut without the frying, offering a wonderfully accessible and delicious alternative.
They offer the satisfying crispness of a perfectly baked sugar cookie combined with the sweet, smooth texture of a classic donut glaze. This clever culinary illusion makes them a standout dessert that’s sure to spark conversation and smiles at any gathering. Whether you call them **donut-shaped cookies**, **glazed sugar cookies**, or simply **pink cookies**, their charm is undeniable.
Essential Ingredients for Your Donut Cookie Dough
Crafting the perfect batch of **donut sugar cookies** begins with high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired taste and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious cookies, along with a note on why each is important:
- Butter: For an exceptionally rich and tender cookie, we’ll need 1 cup (which is two sticks) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air for a light texture.
- Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup of granulated sugar not only provides essential sweetness but also contributes to those wonderfully crisp edges and helps the cookies brown beautifully.
- Egg: A single large egg, also at room temperature, acts as a binding agent, holding the dough together and adding moisture. To quickly bring an egg to room temperature, simply place it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5-10 minutes.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our cookie dough is 3 cups of all-purpose flour. Make sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a straight edge to avoid dense cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract is key for imparting that incredible, classic cookie flavor that complements the sweet glaze. Don’t skimp on good quality vanilla!
- Baking Powder: A teaspoon of baking powder is our leavening agent. It helps the cookies puff up slightly as they bake, contributing to a delightful, soft texture without making them cakey.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon) is added to enhance and balance all the sweet flavors, preventing the cookies from tasting one-dimensional.
Crafting the Perfect Pink Glaze
Crafting the Perfect Pink GlazeThe gorgeous pink glaze is what truly transforms these sugar cookies into adorable donuts. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just a few staple ingredients:
- Powdered Sugar: 2 cups of powdered sugar forms the smooth, sweet base of our icing. Its fine texture ensures a lump-free, silky glaze.
- Milk: You’ll need 4-5 tablespoons of milk (any kind works) to thin the powdered sugar to the perfect drizzling or dipping consistency. Start with less and add more gradually, spoonful by spoonful, until you reach your desired flow. The exact amount can vary based on humidity and personal preference.
- Food Coloring: Achieve that signature pink hue with red or pink gel food coloring. Gel colors are highly concentrated, so start with just a drop or two and add more as needed until you get your desired shade of pastel pink or vibrant fuchsia.
- Sprinkles: If you love that classic donut shop look, grab 5-6 tablespoons of your favorite sprinkles for decorating the cookies after they’ve been glazed. Rainbow sprinkles, nonpareils, or even themed sprinkles can add extra charm.
How to Make These Adorable Donut Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Make These Adorable Donut Cookies: A Step-by-Step GuideCreating these delightful **pink donut cookies** is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps for perfectly baked and beautifully glazed treats:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer with paddle attachment), cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate Egg: Add the room temperature egg to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Continue to whisk or beat until it’s well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and pinch of salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Chilling the dough is a crucial step that helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain their distinctive donut shape. You can chill it longer if you prefer, even up to 2 days.
- Prepare for Baking: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking. Set it aside.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to an even thickness of about ¼ inch. Use a specialized donut cookie cutter to cut out the donut shapes. If you don’t have one, you can use two different-sized round cookie cutters (a larger one for the outer shape and a smaller one for the center hole). Carefully transfer the cut-out dough to your prepared baking sheet. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut out more shapes until all the dough is used.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The edges should be lightly golden, and the centers should be set.
- Cool Completely: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5-10 minutes. This allows them to firm up before handling. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before glazing. This step is essential, as glazing warm cookies will result in a runny, uneven glaze.
- Prepare the Pink Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add one drop of red or pink food coloring at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve your desired shade of pink. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Glaze and Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, spoon the pink glaze over each cookie, allowing any excess to drip off. Alternatively, you can dip the top of each cookie into the glaze. Immediately after glazing, while the glaze is still wet, sprinkle generously with your chosen sprinkles.
- Set and Enjoy: Allow the glazed and decorated cookies to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or longer, depending on humidity) until the glaze has fully set and hardened. Once set, stack them carefully or arrange them on a platter. Enjoy your beautiful and delicious **pink donut sugar cookies**!
Pink Donut Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 3 cups flour
- 1 TBSP vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
for the pink glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4-5 tablespoons milk
- red or pink food coloring
- 5-6 tablespoons sprinkles to decorate
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk the butter and sugar until it’s light and creamy. Add the egg and continue whisking.
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Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla and salt.
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Mix until dough comes together. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes for the dough to rest.
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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Roll out dough to about 1/4″ thickness. Use a donut cookie cutter or two circle cutters to cut donut shapes, re-rolling dough as needed until all the dough is used.
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Bake in oven at 350 F degrees for 10 minutes.
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Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
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Whisk pink glaze ingredients together in a small bowl, adding color one drop at a time until desired hue is achieved. Spoon it over cooled cookies, topping with sprinkles. Let cool to set. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Expert Tips for Perfect Pink Donut Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality **donut-shaped sugar cookies** is easier than you think with a few simple tricks:
- Chill Your Dough Adequately: This is arguably the most important step for preventing cookie spread. Cold butter in cold dough melts slower in the oven, allowing the cookie to set before spreading too much. If your kitchen is warm, or you’re re-rolling dough scraps, don’t hesitate to chill the dough for longer than 15 minutes, or even for up to 2 days wrapped in plastic wrap.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For tender cookies, avoid packing your flour. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. Too much flour will result in dense, dry cookies.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating an emulsified mixture that traps air, leading to a lighter, more evenly textured cookie.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, making the cookies tough.
- Even Thickness: When rolling out the dough, aim for an even ¼-inch thickness. This ensures all cookies bake uniformly and have a consistent texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Sugar cookies bake quickly. Keep a close eye on them; they are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set, but still slightly soft. Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly.
- Glaze Consistency is Key: For a smooth, even glaze, ensure it’s not too thick or too thin. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle smoothly. Adjust with tiny amounts of milk or powdered sugar.
- Decorate Immediately: Once you glaze a cookie, add your sprinkles right away before the glaze begins to set. This ensures the sprinkles adhere properly.
Serving Suggestions & Party Ideas
These **pink donut cookies** are versatile and perfect for a variety of occasions:
- Baby Showers & Gender Reveals: The soft pink hue makes them ideal for celebrating a baby girl. Pair them with blue or white cookies for a gender-neutral theme.
- Bridal Showers: Elegant and sweet, they are a lovely addition to any bridal shower dessert table.
- Birthday Parties: A fun and festive treat for kids and adults alike. Consider different colored glazes to match a party theme!
- Tea Parties: Serve them alongside your favorite teas for a charming afternoon indulgence.
- Gift Giving: Package a few in a decorative box or bag for a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Everyday Treat: Sometimes, you don’t need a special occasion. Treat yourself and your loved ones to these delicious cookies with a glass of milk or coffee.
How Long are Glazed Sugar Cookies Good For?
Proper storage is essential to keep your **glazed donut cookies** fresh and delicious. If cooled completely and stored in an airtight container, these cookies can last for **up to a week to two weeks at room temperature**. For optimal freshness, flavor, and texture, it’s always best to enjoy them within the first few days of baking.
If you need to store them for longer, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. However, refrigeration can sometimes alter the texture slightly, making the cookies a bit firmer. For the best long-term storage, these cookies also freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pink Donut Cookies
1. How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
The key to preventing your cookies from spreading into flat, shapeless discs is **chilling the dough adequately**. When the dough is nice and cold, the butter within it is solid. As the cookies bake, the butter melts slower, allowing the cookie structure to set before the butter fully liquefies and causes excessive spreading. A warm dough means the butter is already softer, leading to faster and thinner spreading during baking. Always ensure you don’t skip the “chill the dough” step in the recipe. If your kitchen is warm, or if you’re working with re-rolled dough, an extra 10-15 minutes of chilling can make a significant difference. You can chill the dough for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
2. Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is a fantastic time-saving tip. You can prepare the cookie dough up to 2-3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to roll out. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.
3. Can I use different colors for the glaze?
Yes, certainly! While pink is charming, you can easily customize the glaze color to suit any occasion or preference. Simply use different food colorings – blue, yellow, green, purple, or even white for a classic look. You can even divide the glaze and color it in multiple shades for a vibrant assortment of **sprinkled sugar cookies**.
4. What if my glaze is too thick or too thin?
Achieving the perfect glaze consistency is simple. If your glaze is too thick, add more milk (or water, for a slightly less rich glaze) a teaspoon at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition until it reaches a smooth, pourable, or dippable consistency. If the glaze is too thin and runny, gradually whisk in more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it thickens to your liking.
5. Can I freeze the baked and glazed cookies?
Yes, you can! Once the glaze has fully set and hardened (this is crucial to prevent smudging), you can freeze the decorated cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, ideally in their container, to prevent condensation from affecting the glaze.
More Glazed Cookie Recipes to Inspire You
If you’ve fallen in love with these delightful **pink donut cookies** and are looking for more glazed cookie inspiration, explore these other fantastic recipes:
- GLAZED PUMPKIN 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 (another version!)
- FROSTED LEMON SUGAR COOKIES
- LEMON ZUCCHINI COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES
- LEMON MELTAWAY COOKIES
- LEMON SLICE & BAKE COOKIES
- ICED PUMPKIN COOKIES
With five wonderful children, life is often a whirlwind of activity, and I’ve certainly learned to cherish and celebrate every small victory. Take this particular day, for instance! Three of my five kids breezed through their dental check-ups with flying colors – not a single cavity in sight! What a triumphant moment, worthy of celebration with a batch of these fun **pink donut cookies**!
It’s quite amusing; my tween son has been losing teeth at an incredible pace lately. I mean, he’s shed five teeth in just the past six weeks or so! I keep teasing him that he’s ‘teething’ all over again – and in a way, he really is! Thank goodness our beloved tooth fairy decided to retire, otherwise, she’d surely have to take out a second mortgage just to keep up with the constant demand for her services!
These delightful **Pink Donut Sugar Cookies** are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, perfect for bringing joy to any occasion. With their cute donut shape, sweet pink glaze, and colorful sprinkles, they are truly special. We hope you enjoy making and sharing these wonderful cookies as much as we do!