Hot Buttered Rum Glazed Crullers: A Sweet Twist on a Classic Treat

If you’re looking for a dessert that combines the buttery, sweet flavor of a classic cruller with a warm, spiced rum glaze, Hot Buttered Rum Glazed Crullers are your answer. This recipe delivers soft, pillowy doughnuts with a golden-brown exterior and a shiny, indulgent glaze that will make every bite unforgettable. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or a special dessert, these crullers are a show-stopper.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, tender crullers that melt in your mouth
• A buttery rum glaze that elevates a traditional doughnut
• Ideal for holidays, special occasions, or a cozy weekend treat
• Make-ahead friendly – they stay fresh for a few days in an airtight container

Ingredients

For the Crullers:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Hot Buttered Rum Glaze:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp dark rum
• 2 tbsp milk (more as needed for consistency)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cruller Dough: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. In another bowl, cream butter until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in milk and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft, smooth dough forms.
5. Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe dough into 4-inch rings onto prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until crullers are golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed. Allow to cool slightly.
7. Make the Rum Glaze: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in powdered sugar, rum, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more milk if necessary.
8. Dip warm crullers into glaze or drizzle glaze generously over the top. Let set for a few minutes before serving.

Hot Buttered Rum Glazed Crullers

Soft, buttery crullers topped with a rich hot buttered rum glaze – perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 12 crullers

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 260

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crullers

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 eggs large
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Hot Buttered Rum Glaze

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp dark rum
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. In another bowl, cream butter until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in milk and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture until smooth dough forms.
5. Pipe dough into 4-inch rings on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly.
7. Melt butter for glaze and whisk in powdered sugar, rum, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
8. Dip warm crullers into glaze or drizzle over top. Let set before serving.

Notes

Use a large star tip for classic cruller ridges. Serve warm for best flavor.

Tips for Perfect Crullers

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure a smooth dough.
• Pipe Evenly: Use a large star tip for classic cruller ridges and even baking.
• Serve Warm: These crullers are at their best when served fresh and slightly warm.

Variations and Flavor Twists

• Spiced Rum Glaze: Add 1/4 tsp ground cloves or allspice to the glaze for a richer, holiday-inspired flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with a tsp of butter and drizzle over the crullers for a decadent treat.
• Maple Rum Glaze: Substitute the powdered sugar glaze with 1/4 cup maple syrup mixed with 1 tbsp rum for a seasonal twist.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with hot coffee, chai tea, or a creamy latte for breakfast indulgence.
• Serve alongside whipped cream or ice cream for an elegant dessert presentation.
• Perfect for brunch platters with fresh fruit and pastries.

Fun Facts & Cultural Context

Crullers originated in France and Germany as twisted dough pastries that were deep-fried for a light, airy texture. The American cruller, often ring-shaped and piped with a star tip, became popular in the 18th century. Adding a hot buttered rum glaze gives this traditional favorite a festive twist that’s perfect for holiday celebrations and cozy winter mornings.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes to refresh the soft texture.
• Freezing: Freeze unglazed crullers for up to a month. Thaw and glaze before serving.

With this recipe, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dessert that blends classic pastry with a boozy, buttery glaze. It’s indulgent, flavorful, and impressively simple to make at home.