Mardi Gras King Cake Donuts

The February air in our kitchen still carried that particular chill that makes you crave something warm and spiced when my roommate came home with a box of purple, green and gold sanding sugars she'd found on clearance. We'd been talking about Mardi Gras for weeks, planning a small celebration that felt bigger than our cramped apartment deserved. Something about those traditional colors against the winter gray made everything feel possible and festive and alive.

Last year I made three full King Cakes for different parties, learning the hard way that braiding dough at midnight is nobody's idea of fun. These donuts emerged from that exhaustion, a way to keep the tradition alive without sacrificing my sanity. My friends actually cheered when they saw the familiar trio of colors on these smaller treats, and someone declared them even better than the original because everyone got their own.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the foundation of the tender crumb, and measuring by weight if possible will give you the most consistent results
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough to let the cinnamon filling shine without becoming cloying
• 2 tsp baking powder: Ensures these baked donuts rise properly and develop that characteristic light, cakey texture
• 1/2 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, so dont skip it
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Warming spice that perfumes the entire kitchen and ties everything together
• 1/2 cup whole milk: Creates richness and tenderness in the crumb, though you can use your preferred milk
• 2 large eggs: Provides structure and helps the donuts rise while keeping them moist
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled: Adds essential flavor and a velvety texture that oil cant quite replicate
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract makes all the difference in the final flavor profile
• Zest of 1 lemon: A secret bright note that cuts through the richness and keeps these from feeling too heavy
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted: For creating that irresistible cinnamon sugar ribbon inside each donut
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar: Caramelizes beautifully inside the donut creating pockets of gooey sweetness
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon: The star of the filling, giving you that classic King Cake flavor in every bite
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Creates the perfect thick glaze that sets up beautifully for decorating
• 2-3 tbsp whole milk: Adjust this to get your glaze to just the right dippable consistency
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Rounds out the glaze flavor and complements the vanilla in the donuts
• Purple, green, and gold colored sanding sugars: These traditional Mardi Gras colors transform simple donuts into something festive and celebratory

Instructions

Preheat your oven:

Set it to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease your 12-cavity donut pan with butter or cooking spray, getting into all those corners

Whisk the dry ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until everything is evenly distributed

Mix the wet ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and unified

Combine the batter:

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

Make the cinnamon filling:

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

Layer the donuts:

Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan, create a small ring of cinnamon filling in each cavity, then carefully cover with remaining batter

Bake until golden:

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the donuts spring back when lightly touched and are golden around the edges

Cool slightly:

Let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely

Prepare the glaze:

Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, adding more milk a teaspoon at a time if needed to reach the right consistency

Dip and decorate:

Dip each cooled donut top into the glaze, then immediately sprinkle with sections of purple, green and gold sugars to create that classic King Cake look

Save

My niece's eyes went wide when she found the donut with the hidden plastic baby tucked inside, clutching it like she'd discovered treasure. The way these donuts bring people together, gathering around the kitchen counter waiting for their turn to pick, reminds me why food traditions matter in the first place.

Making These Ahead

You can bake the donuts a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Wait to glaze them until just before serving, because the moisture from the glaze will eventually make the donuts soggy if they sit too long. The cinnamon sugar filling actually develops more flavor overnight, so theres a benefit to preparing them in advance.

Getting That Classic Filling

The trick to getting a proper ribbon of cinnamon sugar inside each donut is creating a shallow circle with the filling rather than placing it in the center. Think of it like building a cinnamon roll, where the swirl runs through the middle of each donut bite. Use a small spoon or piping bag to control where the filling goes, and dont overfill or it will leak out during baking.

Perfecting The Colors

Traditional King Cakes feature the colors in equal sections, but I find that letting them overlap slightly creates a more beautiful finished product. Work with one donut at a time after dipping in the glaze, and have your colored sugars open and ready in small bowls before you begin. The pattern doesnt need to be perfect to be stunning.

• Pour each colored sugar into a separate small bowl for easier handling
• Tap the donut gently after sprinkling to remove excess sugar
• Let the glazed donuts dry for at least 30 minutes before stacking

Save

These donuts have become our Mardi Gras tradition, simpler than King Cake but just as meaningful. The kitchen fills with cinnamon and vanilla and laughter, which feels like exactly what a celebration should be.

Recipe FAQs

→ What gives these donuts their distinctive Mardi Gras colors?

The donuts are decorated with purple, green, and gold sanding sugars, mimicking the classic King Cake's festive stripes.

→ How is the cinnamon sugar filling made?

The filling combines melted butter, packed light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon for a gooey, spiced center.

→ Can these donuts be made dairy-free?

Yes, plant-based milk and butter can be substituted to create a dairy-free version without sacrificing flavor.

→ How do I know when the donuts are fully baked?

Donuts are done when they spring back lightly to touch and have a golden color after 10 to 12 minutes baking at 375°F (190°C).

→ Is there a recommended tool for baking these donuts?

A 12-cavity donut pan is used to shape and bake the donuts evenly and achieve the classic ring shape.