Mardi Gras King Cake Donuts (Print Version)
Tender, cinnamon-swirled baked donuts topped with vibrant glaze and colorful Mardi Gras sprinkles.
# What You Need:
→ For the 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 - 2/3 cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ For the Cinnamon Swirl
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ For the Glaze
13 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
14 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
15 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ For Decoration
16 - Purple, green, and gold/yellow sprinkles
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cavity donut pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula just until combined; do not overmix to ensure tender donuts.
05 - In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until a smooth paste forms.
06 - Spoon half the batter into prepared donut pan cavities. Pipe or dot a ring of cinnamon swirl mixture onto each. Cover with remaining batter.
07 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until donuts spring back when lightly touched. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
08 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Add more milk if too thick.
09 - Dip cooled donuts into glaze, then immediately top with purple, green, and gold sprinkles. Let set before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They bake in just 12 minutes, so you can have Mardi Gras magic ready faster than you can say laissez les bons temps rouler
- The cinnamon swirl hiding inside makes every bite feel like discovering a tiny treasure
02 -
- Overmixing the batter makes tough donuts, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
- Let the donuts cool completely before glazing or the frosting will melt right off
03 -
- A piping bag makes filling the donut pan so much cleaner than using spoons
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the cinnamon swirl from sinking to the bottom