If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious treat to brighten up any occasion, the Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies combine the charming shape of donuts with patriotic colors and flavors that will make your taste buds sing. Crispy on the edges with a tender crumb inside, decorated with vibrant icing, they are as joyful to look at as they are to eat. Whether it’s a summer party, a holiday celebration, or simply a cheerful snack for your day, these cookies bring a burst of color and sweetness that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together to create the magic of this Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe. Each item is essential for achieving the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that festive look that makes these cookies so special.
- Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a delightful crisp edge.
- Egg (1): Acts as a binder to hold all the ingredients together.
- Vanilla (2 teaspoons): Infuses warm, comforting flavor deep into the cookies.
- Flour (2 1/2 cups): Gives structure and body to your cookie dough.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors perfectly.
- Warm Water (3/4 cups): Necessary for creating the right icing consistency later on.
- Meringue Powder (1/3 cup): Helps the icing harden beautifully for that classic glossy finish.
- Powdered Sugar (32 ounces): The base for your signature sweet and smooth glaze.
- Karo Syrup (1 1/2 tablespoons): Adds shine and stretch to the icing for easy decorating.
How to Make Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by placing the softened butter, sugar, and egg into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk everything together until it becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly fluffy. This step is crucial because it sets the tone for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture in your cookies. Then, add the vanilla and blend just until incorporated for that warm, inviting aroma.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients before adding them prevents clumps and ensures even distribution of salt, which balances sweetness. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Blend until the dough is smooth, cohesive, and ready to be rolled out.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
Lay a large piece of parchment paper on your kitchen counter and sprinkle it lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Place half of the prepared dough onto the parchment paper, then roll it out evenly to about half an inch thick using a floured rolling pin. A consistent thickness guarantees even baking throughout your Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe.
Step 4: Cut Out the Donut Shapes
Using your donut-shaped cookie cutters, carefully cut the dough into shapes and place these on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Make sure to space them sufficiently to allow room for slight spreading while baking. Handling the dough gently at this stage keeps those crisp edges intact.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown hue around the edges — that’s your signal they’re done. Remove them promptly and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing. Patience here ensures the icing won’t melt or slide off.
Step 6: Prepare the Red, White, and Blue Icing
While your cookies cool, mix up the royal icing using warm water, meringue powder, powdered sugar, and Karo syrup. Divide the icing into three bowls and tint each with your choice of red and blue food coloring—leave one bowl white for contrast. This tri-color icing is what makes your Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe truly stand out visually.
Step 7: Decorate Your Cookies
Once the cookies are fully cooled, use piping bags or small spoons to decorate with the red, white, and blue icing. Get creative with your patterns—dots, stripes, or swirls—to give each cookie a personality of its own. Allow the icing to set at room temperature before stacking or packing away.
How to Serve Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Think beyond just the icing for garnishes. Adding a sprinkle of edible glitter or tiny star-shaped sprinkles can elevate the festive vibe. Fresh berries like blueberries and strawberries placed around the serving plate complement the colors and provide a fresh burst if you want to mix things up.
Side Dishes
These cookies are delightful on their own but pairing them with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot tea or coffee rounds out the experience wonderfully. For a party setting, fresh fruit platters and light finger sandwiches are perfect companions that won’t overpower your beautiful Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation can be just as fun as baking! Arrange the cookies on a patriotic-themed platter or on a tiered dessert stand. You can also tie them individually in cellophane with red, white, and blue ribbons for party favors that guests will adore taking home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. This protects the delicate icing from moisture while maintaining the crisp edges and soft centers. They’ll stay delicious for up to a week this way.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies weeks in advance, freezing is a great option. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When properly wrapped, they’ll keep their fantastic flavor and texture for up to 3 months.
Reheating
These cookies don’t need reheating, but if you prefer them slightly warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, or you risk melting the beautiful icing decoration.
FAQs
Can I substitute the meringue powder in the icing?
If you don’t have meringue powder on hand, you can substitute with egg whites, but be cautious about food safety and storage. Meringue powder is preferred for its ease and reliability in creating stable royal icing.
What makes these cookies shaped like donuts?
The cookie is cut using donut-shaped cutters with a hole in the middle, which gives them that classic donut look without the frying or doughnut dough, making them lighter and perfect for decorating.
How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much during baking?
Chill the dough before rolling it out if it feels too soft. Also, proper measuring of flour and careful rolling to even thickness help maintain their shape in the oven.
Can I use gel food coloring for the icing?
Absolutely! Gel food coloring is excellent for vibrant colors without thinning your icing. Just add a little at a time to reach your desired shade.
Are these cookies suitable for kids to decorate?
Yes, these are a great baking project for kids! The decorating part is especially fun and encourages creativity with colors and patterns while learning to handle piping tools.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the joy of making and sharing the Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe with loved ones. These cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a celebration on a plate, bursting with flavor, color, and a whole lot of happy vibes. Next time you want to add a spark to your dessert table, give this recipe a whirl and watch smiles light up the room.
Print
Red, White and Blue Donut Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies are delightful, soft sugar cookies baked to perfection and decorated with a classic meringue-based icing. Perfect for patriotic holidays, the cookies combine a creamy buttery dough with a sweet, glossy icing, creating an eye-catching and delicious treat that’s sure to impress at any gathering.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (softened)
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Water
- 3/4 cup Warm Water
Meringue Icing
- 1/3 cup Meringue Powder (Wilton recommended)
- 32 ounces Powdered Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Karo Syrup
Instructions
- Mix Butter, Sugar, and Egg: In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the softened butter, sugar, and egg. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy, then add the vanilla and blend well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until fully blended. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture in the stand mixer, mixing until the dough is smooth and cohesive.
- Roll Out Dough: Lay a large piece of parchment paper on the counter and dust with flour. Place half of the cookie dough on the parchment and roll it out with a floured rolling pin to a thickness of 1/2 inch.
- Cut Out Donut Shapes: Use a donut-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the rolled dough. Transfer these cutouts onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown around the edges.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
- Prepare Meringue Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine the meringue powder, powdered sugar, warm water, and Karo syrup. Mix well until smooth and glossy. Divide the icing into portions and color accordingly with red and blue food coloring, leaving some white for classic decoration.
- Decorate Cookies: Using piping bags or a small spatula, decorate the cooled donuts with red, white, and blue meringue icing. Allow the icing to set at room temperature before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Use parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking and to make rolling easier.
- If you don’t have a donut-shaped cutter, use two round cutters of different sizes to create the shape.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
