Festive King Cake Donut Holes: Your Ultimate Mardi Gras Breakfast Treat
Embrace the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras with these irresistible King Cake Donut Holes! Imagine all the iconic flavors of the traditional King Cake, beautifully condensed into miniature, fluffy, fried balls of delight. Each golden-brown morsel begins with a tender, yeast-leavened dough generously infused with warm, aromatic cinnamon. Once perfectly fried to a delicate crisp, these pillowy donut holes are generously dunked in a luscious, creamy vanilla bean icing, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and spiced perfection. The grand finale? A playful shower of green, yellow, and purple sanding sugars, instantly transforming these treats into a celebration of Mardi Gras right in your very own kitchen. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a bite-sized journey to New Orleans, perfect for starting your Fat Tuesday festivities!
For years, a significant item on my life’s bucket list has been to experience the magic of Mardi Gras firsthand in New Orleans. While it falls after the intense football season concludes (and my partner is an avid Saints fan, if you weren’t already aware!), I’m convinced it wouldn’t take much persuasion to get him on board for a trip. The allure of the Crescent City during this festive time is undeniably powerful, and it’s a dream I hold dear.
Honestly, my primary motivation isn’t solely about wandering the historic streets, enjoying refreshing beverages, and reveling until the break of dawn. While those aspects certainly add to the excitement, they aren’t the whole story.
The Culinary Heart of Mardi Gras
For me, the true magnet drawing me to New Orleans, especially during Mardi Gras, is the food. New Orleans boasts an unparalleled reputation for its culinary scene year-round, but during this festive holiday, the food inspiration reaches an entirely new level. From savory Gumbo to sweet Beignets, the flavors are as rich and diverse as the city’s culture itself. These little King Cake Donut Holes are my latest obsession, offering a delightful and convenient way to savor the essence of King Cake, particularly for breakfast or brunch. The light, airy, fried dough is a perfect canvas for the warm, comforting notes of cinnamon that greet your palate. Following this initial burst of flavor, each donut hole is generously coated in a decadent, smooth vanilla bean icing, elevating the taste profile with its creamy sweetness and fragrant vanilla essence.
To complete this festive masterpiece, the donut holes are then adorned with the signature Mardi Gras colors: brilliant green, regal purple, and sunny yellow sanding sugars. These vibrant sprinkles not only add a delightful textural crunch but also symbolize the core values of the celebration – green for faith, purple for justice, and gold (or yellow) for power. This touch makes them truly feel like a mini celebration in every bite!
These perfectly poppable treats make waking up on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning infinitely more appealing. They’re especially welcome if you’ve had a few too many Hurricane cocktails the night before – if you catch my drift! Their light texture and sweet, comforting flavors are the perfect pick-me-up for any morning after a night of revelry, or simply for a delightful weekend brunch.
Are you searching for even more delicious inspiration to celebrate Mardi Gras this year? Look no further! I’ve curated a list of some of my all-time favorite recipes that are perfect for busting out during this festive season. From savory delights to other sweet indulgences, these recipes are sure to bring the spirit of New Orleans to your home:
- Cajun Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Stuffed Potatoes: A hearty and flavorful dish that brings the robust tastes of Louisiana cuisine to your table.
- King Cake Crack Candy: This is an absolute must-try! It’s incredibly easy to make and captures the essence of King Cake in a fun, crunchy candy form.
- Beignet and Coffee Cocktail Shake: A sophisticated twist on two New Orleans classics, perfect for sipping while celebrating.
- Hatch Green Chili Gumbo: My unique take on blending traditional Mardi Gras flavors with a touch of Colorado flair – a savory, spicy delight!
Beyond my own kitchen, I’m thrilled to share that my incredible blogging friends and I have teamed up to bring you an extensive collection of tastiness for the entire Mardi Gras season! You’ll find a comprehensive list of recipe inspiration just below the recipe card, featuring everything from celebratory cocktails and savory main dishes to, of course, plenty of sweet treats. It’s your one-stop shop for all things Mardi Gras cuisine!
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King Cake Donut Holes
Equipment
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Dutch Oven
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Spider Strainer
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KitchenAid 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tsp dry active yeast
- 2/3 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar + more for coating
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- Canola oil for frying
- 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp melted butter
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Green sanding sugar
- Yellow sanding sugar
- Purple sanding sugar
Instructions
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To prepare the delightful donut holes, begin by combining the dry active yeast, 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar, and warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow this mixture to rest for 5 to 8 minutes, or until it becomes visibly foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Subsequently, whisk in the remaining sugar and the large eggs, ensuring they are well incorporated.
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Next, add half of the all-purpose flour and all of the fine sea salt to the mixer bowl. Attach a dough hook and mix on low speed until the dough just begins to come together. Introduce the rest of the flour and continue mixing until the dough appears somewhat shaggy. Gradually add the softened unsalted butter, piece by piece, and then beat the mixture at a medium speed. Knead the dough for approximately 3 minutes until it transforms into a smooth, elastic consistency.
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Transfer the prepared dough to a clean bowl that has been lightly greased with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Place the covered bowl in the refrigerator and allow the dough to chill and rise slowly overnight. This overnight chill not only develops deeper flavors but also makes the dough easier to handle.
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When you are ready to fry the donut holes, lightly flour a clean, flat work surface. Roll out the chilled dough to an approximate thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a one-inch round cutter (or a small cookie cutter), carefully cut out individual circles. Gently form each circle into a smooth ball. Arrange these dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them.
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Pour canola oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot (a Dutch oven works wonderfully for this purpose). Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches a consistent temperature of 350˚F (175˚C). A kitchen thermometer is essential for accurate temperature control.
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Carefully fry the donut holes in small batches, approximately 5 to 6 balls at a time, to avoid overcrowding the pot and dropping the oil temperature. Cook each batch for about 2 minutes, using a spider strainer or tongs to rotate them frequently to ensure even cooking and a beautiful golden-brown color on all sides. Once cooked through, remove the donut holes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
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While the donut holes cool slightly, prepare the exquisite icing. In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the icing ingredients: confectioners’ sugar, a pinch of salt, light corn syrup, melted butter, milk, and vanilla bean paste. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. The ideal consistency for the icing should be thick enough to coat the donut holes evenly, yet thin enough to allow any excess to drip off easily.
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Once the fried donut holes have cooled sufficiently (they should still be slightly warm, but not hot), take each one and dunk it thoroughly into the prepared vanilla bean icing. Ensure it’s fully coated. Lift it out, allowing any excess icing to drip back into the bowl, and then place the iced donut hole on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. This setup catches any drips and allows the icing to set beautifully.
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Finally, for that iconic Mardi Gras flair, generously sprinkle the iced donut holes with green, yellow, and purple sanding sugars as desired for decoration. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive explosion of flavors!
More Mardi Gras Culinary Adventures!
I’m incredibly excited to announce that it’s not just me bringing you fantastic Mardi Gras recipes this time of year! Today, my wonderful fellow foodie bloggers and I have joined forces to share as much deliciousness as possible with all of you. Our collective aim is to provide an abundant source of culinary inspiration, ensuring you have everything you could possibly need to celebrate the vibrant Mardi Gras season in style. Dive into the incredible assortment of recipes below, covering celebratory cocktails, hearty savory dishes, and, of course, plenty of exquisite sweet treats!
- Hurricane Matthew (A Hurricane Drink Recipe) by Off the Eaten Path
- Vieux Carre Cocktail by Feast + West
- No Churn Mardi Gras King Cake Ice Cream by The Speckled Palate
- Cajun Spicy Tomato Soup by Online Pastry Chef
- Jambalaya Balls by Love & Flour
- Shrimp Hush Puppies by Stetted
- Traditional Polish Pączki by The Crumby Kitchen
- King Cake Donut Holes by Cake ‘n Knife
- Easy Shrimp Po Boys by Simply Whisked
- Easy Jambalaya by The Secret Ingredient Is
- Mardi Gras King Cake by Nancie’s Table
- Homemade Beignets by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Pecan Pralines by Stephie Cooks
Whether you’re hosting a full-blown Mardi Gras bash or simply want to infuse your home with the joyous spirit of New Orleans, these King Cake Donut Holes are a fantastic choice. They offer a delightful, manageable way to enjoy the classic flavors without committing to a large, traditional King Cake. So, gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and let the good times roll (Laissez les bons temps rouler!) with these exquisite, homemade donut holes. Happy Mardi Gras!