Mardi Gras King Cake Donuts (Printable)
Tender cinnamon donuts with vibrant Mardi Gras hues and a sweet glaze finish.
# What You Need:
→ Donut Batter
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Cinnamon Sugar Filling
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Glaze
14 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
15 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
16 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Decoration
17 - Purple, green, and gold colored sanding sugars
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 12-cavity donut pan with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk whole milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined—batter should remain slightly thick. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough donuts.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and uniform.
06 - Spoon half the batter evenly into donut cavities. Create a small ring of cinnamon filling in each cavity, then cover with remaining batter.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until donuts spring back when touched and edges turn golden brown.
08 - Let rest in pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
09 - Whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add remaining milk if needed to achieve pouring consistency.
10 - Dip cooled donut tops into glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately sprinkle purple, green, and gold sugars in alternating sections. Let glaze set for 15 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cinnamon sugar ribbon melts into pockets of gooey sweetness in every bite
- Baked instead of fried means you can eat two without the guilt
- The festive purple green and gold sugars make even a Tuesday feel like a celebration
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix better so pull the milk and eggs out before you start
- The cinnamon sugar filling wants to sink so work quickly once you add it to the pan
- Let the glaze set for at least 15 minutes before stacking or serving or you will have a colorful mess
03 -
- Donut pans vary so check for doneness a minute early if yours are on the thin side
- Leftovers keep surprisingly well in an airtight container for up to two days