Get ready to celebrate Mardi Gras with these irresistible King Cake Donuts! These baked cinnamon donuts are generously topped with a sweet powdered sugar icing and the classic purple, green, and gold sprinkles that make Mardi Gras so festive. Enjoy a delicious twist on the traditional king cake in the convenient, lighter form of a baked doughnut—perfectly blending rich flavor with that signature holiday flair.

Ideal for any Mardi Gras gathering, these treats bring a touch of New Orleans magic right to your table. Why not whip up a batch and add some Big Easy charm to your next celebration? After all, the most memorable treats are often the ones you make with your own hands. Bring the spirit of Mardi Gras straight to your kitchen and indulge in every delightful bite!

Dive into the vibrant flavors and festive colors of Mardi Gras with these mouthwatering King Cake Donuts! Whether you’re gearing up for a full-blown Mardi Gras celebration or simply want to treat your family to something extraordinary, these delightful doughnuts are the perfect choice.

No matter the occasion—a lively party or a cozy family dessert—these king cake-inspired doughnuts deliver the authentic taste of the Big Easy straight to your kitchen. Festive, fun, and utterly delicious!

History of the King Cake

The tradition of king cake traces its roots all the way back to ancient Roman times, when special cakes were baked to celebrate Saturnalia and honor the gods.

Over the centuries, the custom evolved and traveled to France, where it became closely tied to Epiphany—the Christian feast commemorating the arrival of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. A small bean or figurine was hidden inside the cake, and the lucky finder was blessed with good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead.

When French settlers arrived in New Orleans, they brought this cherished tradition with them, weaving it into the fabric of the city’s vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations. Today, the modern king cake is a colorful, festive dessert adored throughout Carnival season, with delightful regional variations that keep the spirit of this centuries-old custom alive and thriving.

How to Make King Cake Donuts:

• First, preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Generously grease two donut pans with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy release.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined—this forms the flavorful base for your cinnamon-infused donuts.

• Next, grab a spoon—a wooden one works especially well—and gently push the dry ingredients up against the sides of the bowl to create a spacious well in the center.
• Pour the eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla extract right into that well.
• Then, whisk everything together vigorously until the wet and dry ingredients are fully combined into a smooth, luscious batter—your cinnamon-scented base for these festive King Cake Donuts is taking shape! 

• Now, for that signature king cake cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. This fragrant mixture will add a warm, spiced ribbon of flavor throughout your donuts.

• Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a large zip-top bag with one corner snipped off if you don’t have a piping bag).
• Pipe a small, even layer of batter into the bottom of each greased donut cup, filling them only about one-third of the way up.

• Now, generously sprinkle the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter in each donut cup. This creates that irresistible, swirled ribbon of warm spice that makes king cake so iconic.

• Next, carefully pipe or spoon the remaining batter over the cinnamon-sugar layer in each donut cup, filling them about three-quarters full (or just below the top) to allow room for rising.
• Once all the cups are filled, place the pans in your preheated 350°F oven.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the donuts are golden and spring back lightly when gently pressed with a finger.
• Remove the pans from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Then, gently turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

While the donuts are cooling on the wire rack, prepare the luscious glaze:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until completely smooth and pourable. This sweet, vanilla-scented icing will be the perfect canvas for those iconic Mardi Gras colors.

• Once the donuts are completely cool, it’s time for the grand finale!
• Dip the top of each donut into the smooth vanilla glaze, letting the excess drip off for a moment, then place them back on the wire rack to set. This glossy icing will give them that classic king cake shine and make the colorful sprinkles pop.

• While the glaze is still tacky (but before it fully hardens), generously sprinkle the iconic Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—over the top of each donut. This festive touch brings the true spirit of king cake to life!
• Let the glazed and sprinkled donuts sit on the wire rack until the icing sets completely.
• Then, serve and enjoy

These King Cake Donuts offer a fun and delicious twist on the beloved traditional Mardi Gras treat, perfectly blending the rich history and warm spices of classic king cake with the irresistible charm of a baked donut.

Topped with a glossy vanilla glaze and adorned with the iconic purple, gold, and green sugar sprinkles, these festive doughnuts are a joyful way to bring the spirit of New Orleans to your table. Whether you’re hosting a lively celebration or simply treating your loved ones to something special, baking a batch of these is sure to create smiles and sweet memories.

So why not gather your family and friends, roll up your sleeves, and start a new Mardi Gras tradition this year? As they say in the Big Easy: “Laissez les bon temps rouler” – let the good times roll!

Happy Mardi Gras!