Mardi Gras King Cake Donuts (Printable Version)
Soft, sweet donuts adorned with festive purple, green, and gold sprinkles for Carnival celebrations.
# Ingredient List:
→ Donuts
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 3/4 cup whole milk
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Cinnamon Sugar Filling
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Glaze & Decoration
14 - 1 cup powdered sugar
15 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
16 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - Purple, green, and gold sprinkles
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a standard donut pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
05 - Stir together melted butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until a uniform paste forms.
06 - Spoon half the donut batter into the prepared pan molds. Add a small swirl of cinnamon sugar filling to each, then cover with remaining batter.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until donuts spring back when lightly touched and edges are golden. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until completely smooth and drizzly.
09 - Dip tops of cooled donuts into glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately decorate with purple, green, and gold sprinkles while glaze is wet.
10 - Allow glaze to set for at least 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. Best enjoyed the same day.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These capture everything magical about King Cake but in handheld form that's impossible to mess up
- The cinnamon sugar swirl running through each donut creates those gorgeous cinnamon roll vibes without the overnight work
02 -
- Overmixed batter creates tough, rubbery donuts that nobody wants at their party
- The cinnamon sugar filling needs to be swirled gently or it sinks to the bottom instead of staying in the middle
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly and create a more tender final donut
- Warm glaze creates the most professional looking coating, so microwave for 10 seconds if it's too thick