Mardi Gras King Cake Donuts

Last February, my kitchen smelled like a New Orleans bakery thanks to these colorful treats. The first batch disappeared so fast at my Mardi Gras brunch that I made another the same day.

My cousin from Baton Rouge taught me that the colors matter just as much as the taste. Now I keep those sanding sugars stocked year round just in case the mood strikes.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives these donuts their tender cake-like crumb without becoming dense or heavy
• Whole milk: Creates a richer batter than water-based alternatives and helps the cinnamon swirl meld beautifully into the dough
• Ground cinnamon: This warm spice appears in both the batter and the swirl layer for that classic King Cake flavor in every bite
• Packed light brown sugar: The molasses content creates a gooey caramel-like ribbon through the center of each donut
• Powdered sugar: Forms the sweet white glaze base that needs to be thick enough to coat but thin enough to drip elegantly

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 350°F and generously grease your donut pan because the cinnamon swirl loves to stick more than you would expect

Whisk the dry team:

Combine flour granulated sugar baking powder salt and that extra teaspoon of cinnamon in a large bowl until everything is evenly distributed

Mix the wet ingredients:

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

Bring them together:

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined because overmixing will make tough donuts

Make the magic swirl:

Stir together the melted butter brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until it forms a paste-like consistency

Layer your batter:

Spoon half the batter into the donut cavities add a teaspoon of cinnamon filling to each then cover with remaining batter

Create the swirl effect:

Gently drag a toothpick through each filled donut once or twice to marble the cinnamon mixture through the batter

Bake until perfect:

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops spring back when touched and your kitchen smells incredible

Let them rest:

Cool in the pan for exactly 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack because they are fragile when warm

Whisk the glaze:

Combine powdered sugar milk and vanilla until smooth and pourable then add more milk a drop at a time if needed

Dip and decorate:

Dip each cooled donut into the glaze then immediately sprinkle sections with purple green and yellow sugars while wet

Final touch:

Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving or stack them carefully with wax paper between layers

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These became my go-to for surprise breakfast guests. Something about those three colors together makes people smile before they even take a bite.

Making Them Dairy-Free

Plant-based milk and butter alternatives work wonderfully here. I have used oat milk with great success and no one could tell the difference in the final product.

Get Creative with Colors

Mix your own colored sugars by stirring liquid food dye into regular granulated sugar and letting it dry overnight. The colors come out more vibrant than store-bought versions.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These donuts taste best the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days. The glaze will soften the surface slightly over time.

• Freeze unfrosted donuts for up to a month then thaw and glaze when needed
• Keep the cinnamon swirl mixture in the refrigerator for a quick second batch
• Warm leftover donuts in the microwave for 10 seconds to refresh the texture

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Every time I make these I think about how celebrations often start in the kitchen with something simple and sweet. These donuts bring a little bit of Fat Tuesday joy to any ordinary Tuesday.

Recipe FAQs

→ What ingredients create the cinnamon swirl inside the donuts?

The swirl is made by mixing melted butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon for a warm, sweet filling.

→ How do I achieve the vibrant colored glaze decoration?

After dipping the cooled donuts in vanilla glaze, sprinkle sections with purple, green, and yellow sanding sugars to mimic traditional Mardi Gras colors.

→ Can I substitute dairy ingredients for a plant-based option?

Yes, plant-based milk and butter alternatives can be used without affecting texture significantly.

→ What is the recommended baking time and temperature?

Bake the donuts at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until they spring back when lightly pressed.

→ How should I cool the donuts before glazing?

Cool the donuts in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to ensure the glaze sets properly.