Mardi Gras King Cake Donuts

The first time I attempted a traditional King Cake, it ended up looking like a lopsided braided rope that refused to hold its shape. My kitchen was covered in purple sugar, and I spent three hours wondering why I had volunteered for Mardi Gras treats. That's when I discovered that baked donuts could capture all the cinnamon-swirled joy in a fraction of the time. Now these little gems appear on my counter every Fat Tuesday without fail.

Last year I made these for my book club meeting, and honestly, I had to hide two in the back of the pantry just so my husband would actually get to try one. The women kept asking for the recipe, and someone insisted the cinnamon ribbon was what made them restaurant quality. There is something magical about watching people's faces light up when they see those traditional purple, green, and gold sprinkles.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Forms the tender base of these donuts, providing structure without making them tough or dense
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough to let the cinnamon swirl shine as the star flavor
• Baking powder: Essential for that light, cakey texture that makes these feel indulgent rather than heavy
• Ground cinnamon: The heart and soul of both the batter and the swirl, giving these donuts their signature warmth
• Salt: A small pinch that balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop beautifully
• Whole milk: Creates a rich, tender crumb and helps the cinnamon ribbon stay soft and gooey
• Large eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to the cake-like texture we love
• Unsalted butter, melted: Adds incredible flavor and keeps these donuts moist for days
• Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors and adds that classic bakery taste we all crave
• Softened butter for swirl: Creates a ribbon of cinnamon sugar that stays soft and fudgy instead of hard and crunchy
• Brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar creates a deep, caramel-like flavor in the cinnamon swirl
• Powdered sugar: Forms the base of the glaze, creating that smooth, sweet coating that holds the sprinkles perfectly
• Purple, green, and gold sprinkles: The essential Mardi Gras colors that transform simple donuts into a festive celebration

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease your donut pan, getting into all those little nooks so the donuts release perfectly later.

Whisk the dry ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until everything is evenly distributed and no clumps remain.

Mix the wet ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.

Combine the batter:

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and fold gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix which would make the donuts tough.

Prepare the cinnamon swirl:

Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until you have a spreadable paste-like mixture.

Layer the donuts:

Spoon half the batter into the donut pan, pipe or dot a ring of cinnamon mixture into each cavity, then cover with remaining batter to hide the surprise inside.

Bake to perfection:

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the donuts spring back when touched lightly, then cool in the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Make the glaze:

Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until you have a smooth, pourable consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Decorate and serve:

Dip each cooled donut into the glaze and immediately shower with the purple, green, and gold sprinkles before the glaze sets.

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My daughter now requests these for her February birthday every year, saying regular cake cannot compete with the surprise cinnamon ribbon inside. Something about watching her carefully choose which color sprinkles go on which donut makes all the cleanup worth it.

Making Ahead

I have learned through experience that these are best enjoyed the same day, but you can bake the donuts a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Wait to glaze until just before serving or the sprinkles will start to bleed into the icing overnight.

Getting That Perfect Cinnamon Ribbon

The trick is keeping the cinnamon swirl from sinking to the bottom during baking. Make sure your batter is thick enough to support the swirl, and do not pipe it too close to the edges of the donut cavity.

Glazing Like a Pro

Set up a little assembly line with your glazed donuts on a wire rack over a sheet pan to catch the drips. Work quickly once you start dipping because the sprinkles will not stick once the glaze begins to set.

• Use a fork to lower donuts into the glaze for even coating without making fingerprints in the icing
• Tap the fork gently against the bowl edge to remove excess glaze before transferring to the rack
• Apply sprinkles immediately after glazing while the surface is still wet and tacky

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These donuts have become such a beloved tradition that I honestly cannot imagine Mardi Gras without them. Something about that first bite of cinnamon-swirled goodness just makes everything feel like a celebration.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What makes these donuts tender and moist?

The combination of baking powder for leavening and the addition of melted butter and milk ensures a tender, moist texture. Gentle mixing avoids overworking the batter, keeping the donuts light.

→ How is the cinnamon swirl incorporated into the donuts?

A cinnamon mixture made with softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon is piped or dotted onto half the batter in the pan, then covered with remaining batter, creating a warm swirled flavor inside.

→ What gives the donuts their vibrant glaze and sprinkles?

The glaze is made by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract into a smooth, pourable icing. Once dipped and set, the donuts are decorated with colorful purple, green, and gold sprinkles for a festive finish.

→ Can these donuts be prepared in advance?

Yes, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days without losing their moist texture or vibrant appearance.

→ Are there any suggested variations to enhance flavor?

Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the batter enriches the spice profile, and substituting half the milk with sour cream can increase moistness and tenderness.