We Tried It: The New Tim Hortons x Ryan Reynolds Maple Butter Glazed Donut

Ryan Reynolds may have won fans for his deadpan humour and sharp wit, but his new signature donut for Tim Horton’s reveals the Vancouver-born actor knows a little something about delivering the baked goods, too.

Released on March 23 after an ad campaign that hyped the confection as a legacy-defining moment for the actor, Ryan Reynolds Maple Butter Glazed Donut is a surprisingly nostalgic addition that hearkens back to Tim’s golden age—when the donut was the main attraction.

Only $2 and change, this is no ordinary dunk-mate for your morning coffee (or protein latte). It arrives in style, in a custom blue box. This is as close to a red-carpet vibe as you get from ordering a donut at Tim’s.

My donut came in its own private box.

But it’s what’s inside that counts, and the donut’s specs are solid, too. Reynolds’ donut is a vanilla cake confection that’s slathered in a smooth buttery glaze—think honey glaze mixed to a smooth sheen—and decorated with a zig-zag of sweet maple-flavoured drizzle.

The scent of maple is strong indeed with this donut, which will capture the maple-desiring crowd. But if maple isn’t your go-to sweet (and it isn’t mine), rest assured it’s the donut’s buttery new glaze that delivers the dominantly delicious note.

The collab hypes the “pillowy” crumb of Reynold’s donut, and on this it doesn’t disappoint either. The Maple Butter Glazed brings back a nostalgic Tim’s mouthfeel— the soft, pillowy, just-baked bite.

The softer texture emphasis suggests Reynolds knows how his national donut lore—and what Canadians want from their morning pilgrimage. As a donut debut, it’s a solid 8 out of 10. This longtime donut-eater wouldn’t be angry if another collab lies in the future—only this time one that leaves the maple untapped. 

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