Time flies and I can hardly believe that it is February. It kind of snuck up on me! Things I like about this month are: winter is getting shorter, the days are getting longer, Valentine's Day is around the corner and Fat Tuesday is coming up.
It's time to have those last sweet indulgences before the season of Lent and these King Cake Donuts are a perfect way to celebrate the Mardi Gras season. While the real tradition is a cake (which is actually a yeast sweet bread), homemade baked donuts are easier to make and we all know everyone loves donuts, right? There is still plenty of time to bake this sweet treat.
If you know about the tradition of the King Cake, it is served during the weeks before the beginning of Lent. Typically a small plastic baby is baked in the cake and the person who finds it, is crowned the "king" or "queen" of the night and it is their responsibility to provide the cake for the next year.
It sounds like a really great tradition! Especially when a dessert is involved 🙂
Do you have any special traditions or foods before Lent? In our family we have a tradition on Fat Tuesday also. My Italian grandmother made what she called Castoniole which we translated into Honey Balls (which is probably not the correct translation but describes them pretty well).
They are little fried dough fritters (like donut holes) with the flavors of anise and lemon with warm honey poured all over them! It's a tradition that my mom carried on and passed onto me.
I make these every year and now I think my daughter also makes them for her family. I'm so looking forward to next week where I will make a small batch for the DIY Guy and myself. I love all that warm honey dripping off the fritters and popping them into my mouth!
Get the Recipe
King Cake Donuts
These baked donuts are perfect for Mardi Gras with a light glaze and fun sprkinkles
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- sprinkles - purple, yellow and green
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a donut pan with non-stick spray
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and nutmeg
- In another medium bowl whisk the egg, brown sugar, milk and yogurt until it is very smooth
- Add melted butter and vanilla until well combined
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and stir until it is just combined. Do not overmix (batter will be thick)
- For easier use, place batter in a large baggie and clip off the corner. Pipe the batter into the donut cups (about ⅔'s full)
- Bake for 9-10 minutes - the edges should be light borwn
- Remove and cool on a rack
- Combine the sifted powdered sugar, almond extract and milk.
- Dip each donut into the icing and place back on rack (place something underneath to catch any dripped icing)
- Immediately place each of of sprinkles on donut (in thirds as shown)
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 233Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 0gSugar: 36gProtein: 3g
Nutritional information provided is computer-generated and only an estimate. You may want to do your own research with the ingredients listed if you have concerns about health or specific diets.
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Back for Seconds says
Ohhhh such a fun recipe!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Thanks Stephanie!
Joan Defino says
Hi Deb, As delicious as the King Cake Donuts look in the traditional Mardi Gras colors, if I could only choose one, it would have to be your grandmother's honey balls. I'm pinning both and have them on my 'to bake' list. Thanks for sharing. Joan-My Cookie Clinic
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Thanks Joan - I hope you give them a try! I love them so!
AnnaZed says
Being a New Orleans gal (displaced!) I was naturally excited when I saw your email subject line. Your photos are gorgeous too. Alas, your link only produces this: "NOT FOUND, ERROR 404" I was able to find your recipe by going to the RealHouseMoms home page, but maybe you might want to fix it anyway. Thanks and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Thanks for the heads up! I was able to fix it!
The Chunky Chef says
How awesome are these!! I just got a new donut pan too 🙂
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Oh fun! Hope you give them a try!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
I have never actually had a King Cake before. But I kind of would rather have these donuts instead. Such a fun idea!
Cathy Trochelman says
I SO want one of these donuts! How fun!
Annamaria A says
These look adorable.
Annamaria
Megan Keno says
Bring on the sprinkles!!
Noble Pig - Cathy says
Let the good times roll with these!
Noble Pig - Cathy says
Let the good times roll with these!
Jamie Sherman says
What a fun idea and twist on the classic King Cake!
Brooklyn Davison says
These look great! I love homemade donuts!
Serene Herrera says
These are so pretty! I love these colors 🙂 our tradition is to have pancakes for dinner before Lent!
Steph @ somewhatsimple says
Are you kidding me? I am so hungry right now and these look amazing!!! Thanks for linking up to Link Party Palooza- I want you to contribute to my site, your recipes are amazing!!!
Have a great weekend........................