Celebrate patriotic flair with playful Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies—bite-size treats that marry the soft crumb of a cake doughnut with the crisp edges of a sugar cookie.
Each miniature ring is baked, not fried, then glazed in silky vanilla icing and showered with bold scarlet, snowy white, and starry sapphire sprinkles, echoing the American flag.
Perfect for Fourth of July barbecues, Memorial Day picnics, or Olympic watch parties, these cookies pack festive color into a handheld dessert that travels well.
Easy to make, fun to decorate, and impossible to resist, they’ll steal the show at any gathering table.
These Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies are a charming twist on traditional sugar cookies, shaped like mini donuts and topped with a vanilla glaze and colorful sprinkles.
They’re soft and cakey inside, with just enough sweetness and patriotic flair to brighten any celebration. While they look like donuts, they’re truly cookies at heart—and you don’t even need a donut pan!
Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies
Description
Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies are festive, bite-sized treats that combine the fun of donuts with the charm of cookies.
These colorful cookies are shaped like mini donuts and decorated with patriotic red, white, and blue icing or sprinkles—perfect for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or any Americana-themed celebration.
With a soft, buttery texture and a simple vanilla flavor, they’re easy to make and even easier to customize with food coloring and toppings.
Fun for kids and adults alike, they bring color and cheer to dessert tables or party platters.
Ingredients
For the Glaze:
For Decoration:
Instructions
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Prepare the Cookie Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes on medium speed. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in two additions, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix. -
Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This helps the dough firm up for easy rolling and cutting. Tip: If you're in a hurry, you can freeze the dough for about 30 minutes instead. -
Cut Out Donut Shapes
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) and a small round cutter (like the bottom of a piping tip or bottle cap) to create “donut” shapes. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting until the dough is used up. Place the cookie rings about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
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Bake
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The centers should remain pale and soft. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
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Decorating Time!
5. Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and slightly runny. If needed, add a bit more milk to thin or powdered sugar to thicken.
Optional: Divide the glaze into three small bowls and tint one red, one blue, and leave one white for extra color fun. You can also swirl two colors together for a marbled effect.
6. Glaze and Decorate
Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze or spoon it over the tops.
Immediately sprinkle with red and blue sprinkles before the glaze sets. Let the cookies rest on a wire rack or parchment paper until the glaze hardens (about 15–30 minutes depending on room temperature).
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 220kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Sodium 120mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 32g11%
- Sugars 22g
- Protein 3g6%
- Calcium 15 mg
- Iron 0.5 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Tips, Tricks & Serving Suggestions
Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies are colorful, soft, frosted cookies shaped like mini donuts, often decorated with vibrant glazes and sprinkles.
They’re not only delicious but also eye-catching and festive, making them a favorite at patriotic parties and picnics. Here’s how to master them and make them even more impressive!
Baking Tips for Perfect Donut Cookies
- Use a Donut Cookie Cutter or Mini Donut Pan
To get the authentic donut shape, use a round cookie cutter with a smaller center cutter. If you prefer cakier cookies, a mini donut baking pan works great—just use a thick sugar cookie or shortbread dough that holds its shape. - Chill the Dough
After mixing, chill your dough for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps maintain the donut shape during baking. - Don’t Overbake
Bake just until the edges are barely golden. These cookies are best soft and tender, not crunchy. Overbaking will make them dry and ruin the cake-donut feel. - Make a Smooth Icing Glaze
Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for a simple glaze. Divide into 3 bowls:- Add red food coloring to one
- Blue to another
- Leave one white
Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze for that donut-frosted look. You can also drizzle or marble the colors for a creative effect.
- Use Gel Food Coloring
Gel food coloring gives vibrant colors without watering down your icing. A little goes a long way. - Add Patriotic Sprinkles Immediately
After icing, add red, white, and blue sprinkles right away before the glaze sets. This helps them stick and makes the cookies even more festive. - Let Icing Set on a Cooling Rack
Place cookies on a rack over parchment or foil. This keeps the bottoms dry and lets excess icing drip off neatly.
Serving Suggestions & Presentation Tricks
- Stack Them Like Donuts
Arrange them in a tiered cake stand or on a mini donut wall (available at party stores). They look just like real donuts—guests will love the surprise! - Pair with Milk or Hot Cocoa
For kid-friendly gatherings, serve with mini milk bottles and striped paper straws. For adults, offer alongside coffee or patriotic-themed cocktails. - Make Cookie Sandwiches
Spread a thin layer of vanilla buttercream between two donut cookies for a cookie sandwich twist. Roll the edges in sprinkles for extra flair. - Box as Edible Party Favors
Package 2–3 cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie with red, white, and blue ribbon, and add a tag saying, “You donut know how much I appreciate you!” - Create a Cookie Decorating Station
Bake plain donut cookies ahead and set up a decorating table with bowls of colored icing and sprinkles. Great for kids’ parties or family gatherings.
Servings and Scaling
- A single batch usually makes 18–24 cookies, depending on the size of your donut cutter or pan.
- For large gatherings, double or triple the recipe—they store well at room temp in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- To save time, bake the cookies a day ahead and decorate the morning of your event.
Storage
Store the glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unglazed cookies and glaze them after thawing.
Tips & Variations
- No donut cutter? Use two round cutters: a 3-inch biscuit cutter and a small piping tip for the center.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Flavor twist: Add lemon zest or cinnamon to the dough for a different spin.
- Frosting alternative: Use white chocolate instead of glaze for a shinier, firmer coating.
When to Serve
These cookies are perfect for:
- 4th of July
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran’s Day
- Or any day you want a splash of red, white, and blue fun!
They’re great for picnics, parties, and cookie exchanges, and they pair perfectly with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Final Tip
These cookies aren’t just for patriotic holidays. With different colored glazes and sprinkles, you can adapt the theme for birthdays, sports teams, or baby showers. But for that red, white, and blue wow-factor, nothing beats the charm of these cheerful donut cookies!
Final Notes
Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies combine the fun of a decorated donut with the soft texture of a classic sugar cookie. With simple ingredients and eye-catching results, they’re a joy to make and even more fun to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids, making a batch for a holiday BBQ, or just celebrating with color, this recipe is sure to impress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Red, White, and Blue Donut Cookies made of?
These festive treats combine sugar cookie dough shaped like mini donuts and are decorated with red, white, and blue glazes or icing. Some versions include a vanilla-flavored glaze, while others use royal icing or candy melts for a smoother finish. Sprinkles or sanding sugar in patriotic colors are often added on top.
Are these cookies baked or fried like traditional donuts?
They are baked, not fried. Despite their donut shape, they are technically sugar cookies or shortbread cookies. The dough is rolled out and cut using two circular cutters to mimic the hole-in-the-middle shape of donuts. Once baked and cooled, they’re dipped or drizzled with colored icing.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate it, or freeze it for up to a month. Once baked, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container for 4–5 days. Decorated cookies are best enjoyed within 2–3 days for peak texture and appearance.
Are these cookies suitable for kids’ parties or holidays?
Absolutely! They’re especially popular for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day gatherings. Kids love the fun shape and bright colors. You can even set up a "decorate-your-own" cookie station where children (or adults) can add their own icing and sprinkles.
