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King Cake Doughnuts

These King Cake Doughnuts are the perfect Mardi Gras treat! Yeasted cinnamon doughnuts topped with vanilla glaze and yellow, purple and green sanding sugar!
Servings 13 doughnuts
Prep Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

Doughnuts:

  • 1 package 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons warm water not hotter than 110°F
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm whole milk not hotter than 110°F
  • 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Icing:

  • 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Purple Green and Gold sanding sugar

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, attached with the dough hook, combine the warm water, a pinch of the sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes or until yeast has foamed up. Add 4 1/2 cups flour, warm milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and cinnamon to the bowl and mix on low speed for 3 minutes. Add as much of the remaining flour as needed to create a smooth soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Knead on moderate speed for 8 minutes. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and a damp kitchen towel. Set in a warm spot and let rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Dump out the dough onto a generously floured large cutting board or surface. Roll the dough out to a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Cut the doughnuts using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, and cut out the center with a round 1/2-inch cutter. Transfer the doughnuts and doughnut holes to a greased baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap and let proof at room temperature for another 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, fill a large heavy-duty pot halfway with vegetable oil and heat to 325°F. Fry the doughnuts in batches until golden brown on each side, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet or a wire rack, set over a baking sheet, to drain.
  • To make the icing, whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth. Working with one at a time, carefully dip the tops of the warm doughnuts into the glaze and sprinkle each with the purple, green, and gold sanding sugars while the glaze is still wet. Allow to set slightly before eating. Enjoy!

Notes

Adapted from Emerils.com
Author: The Candid Appetite