How to Make Decorated Donut Cookies

Now that 2017 is in full swing, let's start those New Year's resolutions off right with these decorated donut cookies! I kid; sugary temptation is a horrible idea. While cookies, and donuts for that matter, might not help meet your fitness goals, they do make cute pun Valentine's Day gifts for someone else.

These decorated donut cookies are part of my recently released Valentine options in my shop and are really easy to whip up. Just two layers of icing with a few details on top, and you got yourself an adorable gift for the donut-lover in your life.  

Donut Cookie Cutter

This donut cookie cutter isn't like most donut cookie cutters you see out there. Instead of the typical round "O" with a hole cut out from the center, I opted to change the perspective and leave the shape intact. This gave me a chance to add a side-profile, smiling face, while creating a sturdier cookie overall.

The donut cookie cutter shape isn't quite a symmetrical oval, but rather dome-shaped. I'm already brainstorming other designs that could work with this cutter. (I'll be sharing another design from this cutter in a few days that you can preview here.)

The cutter comes in a few different sizes, however the size I used in all the pictures in this tutorial is the LARGE size. This is also the size that works best as a single cookie favor in a 4″x4″ gift box, or as part of a pair in a larger 7″x4.25″ gift box.

Template for Decorated Donut Cookies

I provided a downloadable template for the design shown in this tutorial. In the template file, I’ve included the design for an upcoming cinnamon roll cookie tutorial that uses the same cookie cutter. Be sure to be on the lookout for that in the next day or so.

You can download the donut cookie template HERE.

If you have a Kopykake or Pico projector, just print it out (or pull it up on your mobile device) and you are good to go. For those without a projector, follow the suggested steps below by cutting out the template and tracing the design onto the cookie with an edible food marker.

The Decorating Process

These decorated donut cookies are fairly straight-forward and quick to make; just a couple of steps to finish each cookie. Therefore, this tutorial will be short and sweet (literally).

To make these decorated donut cookies, you will need the following suggested colors:

• Tan medium consistency royal icing. (I mixed Americolor Ivory with a touch of Americolor Chocolate Brown.)
• Pink medium consistency icing. (I used a touch of Rainbow Dust Progel Pink.)
• Various Pink shades for Sprinkles. (I used different concentrations of Rainbow Dust Progel Strawberry.)
• White piping icing. (I used Americolor Bright White.)
• Black piping icing. (I used Americolor Super Black.)

Step 1

With the tan icing, begin by outlining and flooding the base of the cookie. Leave a little "eyelet" hole, just above the center for the donut hole. Feel free to use the template to guide you for the exact shape and location I used. Let this icing layer dry and set (about 1 to 2 hours).

Step 2

Next, outline and flood the "glaze frosting" on top of the donut base layer, as shown. Add random drips, making sure to leave space for a face if you would want to add one later. Let this icing layer set again (about another 1 to 2 hours).

Step 3

Lastly, add the finishing touches. Add the facial details and the frosting accent curve line in the middle. Also, add random sprinkle lines to complete the cookie.

Video Tutorial

The decorating steps above are summarized in this time-lapsed video.

Like my polar animal cookies in my previous post, I made these decorated donut cookies with Valentine gift sets in mind. Donuts are great for cute, pun messages for the upcoming holiday (and for Teacher Appreciation Day, too!). I paired a few of these donut cookies with the chunky heart cookie cutter and the speech bubble cookie cutter for a fun gift idea.

All the cookies seen above fit perfectly in these 7″x4.5″ gift boxes by BRP Boxshop. Just make sure you choose the LARGE size, as shown.

I still have a few more Valentine's Day cookie ideas I want to share, including these cinnamon roll cookies.

As you could probably tell, they use the same cookie cutter as the decorated donut cookies, just with a slight variation in how to decorate them. I hope to have that tutorial posted in the coming days, so be sure to check this blog later for that detailed guide.

I hope everyone has an easy start to their back-to-work week!