Rainbow Donuts are so fun and whimsical. Kids will love the candy rainbow and fluffy clouds made out of frosting.

Multiple Rainbow Donuts lined up next to each other.
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This recipe for homemade donuts is a must try. They are so delicious and look fabulous with the rainbow pattern design. The kids ask for this Donut Recipe along with Krispy Kreme Donut Recipe year after year.

This is the perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day, rainbow themed parties or just because. Everyone will go crazy over these delicious donuts. I also love to make Rainbow Cupcakes and Easy Rainbow Sugar Cookies.

Why we love this recipe

Each donut is so bright and vibrant with red orange yellow and more. These rainbow colored treats look like something from donut shops. Everyone will be super impressed you made these at home.

They are the best donuts and simple to make with easy instructions.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make homemade Rainbow Donuts - flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, mini m&ms, white sprinkles.

DONUTS

  • Flour 
  • Sugar 
  • Baking Powder 
  • Salt 
  • Butter, melted 

TOPPINGS

  • Butter, softened at room temperature 
  • Powdered Sugar, sifted 
  • Vanilla Extract 
  • Mini M&Ms 
  • White Sprinkles 

The complete ingredient list can be found in the recipe card.

How to make Rainbow donuts

  • Step 1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Get your donut pan ready by spraying with cooking spray.
Mixing bowl with dry ingredients.

Step 2. Next, mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. You can use a stand mixer if you prefer.

Separate bowl with wet ingredients.

Step 3. You will need a separate bowl. Mix together the melted butter, milk, egg and vanilla extract.

Wet and dry ingredients combined together.

Step 4. Next, gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. The donut batter should be just combined. You do not want to over mix.

Batter in doughnut pan.

Step 5. Once combined, pour the batter into the donut cavities. Only fill each one about halfway full.

Doughnuts baked in pan.

Step 6. Finally, bake the donuts for 10 to 13 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donuts comes out clean. 

Frosting mixture in bowl.

Step 7. While they cool on a wire rack, make the frosting with the paddle attachment. You will need a large bowl. Add the butter and beat until smooth. Next, add in the confectioner sugar. Only add 1 cup at a time and mix on low speed until everything is combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and the milk.  Combine until the frosting is fluffy. 

Donuts with icing on wire rack.

Step 8. Once combined, put a layer of the frosting on top of each donut on the cooling rack.

M&Ms on donuts.

Step 9. Finally, place the mini M&Ms on the top half of the donuts into a rainbow shape.  Put the remaining frosting in a piping bag. Cut the tip off of the end of the bag and dab the frosting on the cupcakes to look like clouds. Then place the white sprinkles on the clouds.

Pro Tips

  • Use a piping bag to easily fill the donut pan. You can also spoon the batter in a large ziplock bag and cut the corner off the bag to pipe the batter into the pan. Either of these options will work and make this much easier.
  • Try to work quickly when placing the M&M’s on the donut. The candy needs to be placed on the donuts before the frosting is hard. This will ensure that they stick to the frosting and stay in place.
  • Instead of using M&M’s, you can use food coloring to dye the icing and pipe the rainbow with frosting.
  • Another idea for the clouds is to use whipping cream to make Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe. You can then pipe this on the donuts as clouds. Shredded coconut is another option.
  • Rainbow sprinkles or fruity pebbles also make a great topping.
Close up of a rainbow donut leaning up against a stack of donuts

Storage

Store leftover donuts inside an airtight container. Try to arrange them in a single layer so the rainbow design does not get messed up.

Rainbow donuts recipe can be stored up to 2 to 3 days.

Close up of a rainbow donut leaning up against a stack of donuts

More Donut recipes

Try these other rainbow desserts

It’s your turn to make these rainbow doughnuts. Come back and leave a comment once you do.

Rainbow Donuts

5 from 5 votes
Rainbow Donuts are so fun and whimsical. Kids will love the candy rainbow and fluffy clouds made out of frosting.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Cool in pan 5 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 12
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 366

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • FOR THE DONUTS:
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a donut pan with non stick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the four, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter, egg, milk and vanilla extract.
  • Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined (do not over mix).
  • Pour the mixture evenly into the donut pan filling each one about halfway full. I find that it’s easiest to use a piping bag to fill the donut pan or place the batter in a large ziplock bag and cut the corner off the bag to pipe the batter into the pan.
  • Then bake for 10-13 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donuts comes out clean.  Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • FOR THE TOPPINGS:
  • In a large bowl, beat together the butter until smooth.
  • Then add in the powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) on low speed until combined.
  • Then stir in the vanilla extract and the milk.  Mix until the frosting is fluffy.
  • Place a layer of the frosting on the top of each donut.
  • Then start placing the mini M&Ms on the top half of the donuts into a rainbow shape. You will want to work fast to make sure the M&Ms are put on the donuts before the frosting is hard so that they stick into the frosting.  Start with the red on the top outside of the donut, then the orange, yellow, green and blue.
  • Then place the remaining frosting in a piping bag and cut the tip off of the end of the bag.  Dab the frosting at both ends of the M&Ms to make the clouds and make them look fluffy.  Then place the white sprinkles on the clouds and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 366kcal, Carbohydrates 56g, Protein 2g, Fat 16g, Saturated Fat 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat 4g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 39mg, Sodium 223mg, Potassium 22mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 48g, Vitamin A 316IU, Calcium 28mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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