King Cake Donuts Mardi Gras

Transport yourself straight to the heart of New Orleans with these festive King Cake Donuts, a delightful twist on the iconic Mardi Gras tradition. These soft, baked donuts capture the essence of the beloved King Cake with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, a hint of bright lemon zest, and a luscious vanilla glaze crowned with the traditional green, purple, and gold sprinkles. Perfect for celebrating Carnival season or bringing a taste of the Big Easy to your breakfast table any time of year, these donuts are as fun to make as they are to eat.

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Unlike traditional King Cake which can be time-consuming and intricate, these baked donuts offer all the flavor and festivity in a fraction of the time. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh lemon zest creates a wonderfully aromatic batter that bakes up light and tender. Once glazed and decorated with the iconic Mardi Gras colors, these donuts become an instant celebration centerpiece that both kids and adults will adore.

Ingredients

• For the Donuts: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted), 1 tsp vanilla extract, zest of 1 lemon
• For the Glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp whole milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• For Decoration: Green, purple, and gold (yellow) sanding sugar or sprinkles

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with nonstick spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until combined.

Step 4: Make Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Fill Pan

Spoon or pipe the batter evenly into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool

Let donuts cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Make Glaze

For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.

Step 9: Glaze Donuts

Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off.

Step 10: Decorate

Immediately sprinkle with green, purple, and gold sanding sugar in sections to mimic the King Cake look.

Step 11: Set and Serve

Let the glaze set before serving.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For best results, avoid overmixing the batter as this can lead to dense, tough donuts. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated and a few lumps remain. Using a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off makes filling the donut pan much easier and cleaner than spooning. Make sure your donuts are completely cooled before glazing, otherwise the glaze will be too thin and slide off. For the most vibrant color effect, apply the colored sanding sugar immediately after glazing while the surface is still wet.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a richer flavor, add a pinch of ground cardamom to the batter. You can fill donuts with cinnamon cream cheese for a fun twist by using a piping tip to inject the filling from the side of each donut. For a more traditional King Cake experience, consider adding a small amount of almond extract to the glaze. If you don't have sanding sugar, regular sprinkles in the traditional colors work perfectly well. You can also make mini donuts using a mini donut pan, just reduce the baking time to 6-8 minutes.

Serviervorschläge

These King Cake Donuts pair wonderfully with freshly brewed coffee or chicory café au lait for an authentic New Orleans breakfast experience. Serve them on a festive platter at Mardi Gras parties, Fat Tuesday celebrations, or any time you want to bring some carnival spirit to your gathering. They also make delightful treats for brunch spreads, bake sales, or as a special weekend breakfast. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, though they're best enjoyed fresh on the day they're made.

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Whether you're celebrating Mardi Gras, missing New Orleans, or simply craving a festive and delicious treat, these King Cake Donuts deliver all the joy and flavor of the traditional dessert in an easy, approachable format. The combination of warm spices, bright citrus, sweet glaze, and colorful sprinkles creates a truly special donut that's sure to become a beloved recipe in your collection. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What gives these donuts their signature flavor?

The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon zest infuses the batter with warm, aromatic notes reminiscent of classic King Cake spices.

→ Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?

Yes, these donuts are baked, resulting in a light, tender texture without the need for frying oils.

→ How do I achieve the colorful Mardi Gras decoration?

The glaze is topped with sanding sugars or sprinkles in green, purple, and gold sections to mimic traditional Mardi Gras colors.

→ What is the best way to store these donuts?

Store them in an airtight container for up to two days to maintain freshness and softness.

→ Can I add any variations to the flavor?

Adding a pinch of ground cardamom or filling the donuts with cinnamon cream cheese offers a delightful flavor twist.