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    Home » Desserts

    5 Ingredient Rainbow Donuts

    Published: Jun 25, 2021 · Modified: Jun 12, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Enjoy making some gorgeous rainbow donuts! Made with just 5 ingredients you can enjoy these donuts for parties, family gatherings, your own personal treat or Pride Month!

    The image shows four donuts with rainbow colored frosting and M&Ms on a table.  The donuts could be described as Pride donuts, since rainbow colors are a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. They could also be birthday donuts or donuts for any other celebration.

    Making Rainbow Donuts

    These donuts were so much fun to make and allow you to be really creative if you would like. If you want to add to the rainbow theme, you could add some pretty purple blackberry donuts, or some orange carrot donuts. You can even add to the fun by making some funfetti donuts.

    If you're making these donuts for Pride Month, here are some family friendly Pride Month ideas.

    Jump to:
    • Making Rainbow Donuts
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Storing
    • FAQ
    • Five Ingredient Baked Donuts
    ingredients for making rainbow donuts

    Ingredients

    These donuts are really fun make and you need just a few simple ingredients:

    • Vanilla, chocolate, funfetti, or yellow cake mix
    • Milk
    • Oil or butter
    • Egg
    • Toppings: chocolate chips, mini M&M's, food paint, sprinkles
    an image of a mother and daughter celebrating Pride month together.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a donut pan and set aside.
    • In a bowl, mix together all the donut ingredients until smooth. Fill each donut pan cavity ¾ of the way full. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-14 minutes or until donut is cooked and springs lightly back when you press lightly on them or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donut comes out clean.
    • Remove donut from oven and allow to cool in the donut pan for 5-10 minutes. Remove the donuts from the pan and move to a cooling rack. Allow donuts to cool completely on the rack before frosting.

    To Make the Frosting:

    • Stir together the frosting ingredients. Dip the tops of the donut into the frosting, then move to cooling rack to allow frosting to set completely.

    Once you frost your donuts you can dip them in mini M&M's or sprinkles, or use food paint to paint some color on each donut.

    Substitutions

    There are some substitutions you can make for this recipe:

    • Gluten free: You can substitute the gluten free cake mix you would like to use--chocolate, vanilla, yellow or even funfetti!
    • Vegan and dairy free: Simply substitute the egg in the recipe with egg replacer for a vegan version. For a vegan and dairy free version, use dairy free butter or milk. You will also want to use dairy free chocolate chips if you would like.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Achieving Vibrant Colors: To ensure your donuts have bright, vibrant colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. Gel colors are more concentrated, giving a more intense hue without altering the consistency of the batter.
    • Avoid Overmixing: When adding food coloring, mix just until the color is evenly distributed. Overmixing can result in tough donuts.

    Storing

    Store your rainbow donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them, but they are best enjoyed fresh.

    FAQ

    What If I Don’t Have a Donut Pan?

    If you don't have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin and place a small ball of foil in the center of each cup to create a hole. The result won't be a perfect donut shape, but they'll still be delicious.

    The image shows four donuts with rainbow colored frosting and M&Ms on a table. The donuts could be described as Pride donuts, since rainbow colors are a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. They could also be birthday donuts or donuts for any other celebration.

    Five Ingredient Baked Donuts

    Traci Wennerholm
    Rainbows and love are always in style with these beautiful rainbow donuts! Perfect for a rainbow themed birthday party or pride month treat! (Gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, soy free, vegan, vegetarian, FODMAP)
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    10 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 donuts
    Calories 223 kcal

    Equipment

    • donut pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box cake mix can use vanilla, chocolate, yellow or Funfetti cake mix
    • ¾ cup milk can substitute dairy free
    • ¼ cup oil or melted butter
    • 1 whole egg can substitute flax or egg replacer
    • ½ cup toppings sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, mini M&M's or food paint

    For the Vanilla Glaze

    • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon melted butter
    • 1-2 tablespoon milk
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    For the Chocolate Frosting:

    • ½ cup chocolate chips, melted can substitute dairy free
    • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1-2 tablespoon milk as needed

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat and Prepare:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Lightly grease a donut pan and set it aside.
    • Make the Donut Batter:
    • In a bowl, mix all the donut ingredients until the mixture is smooth.
    • Fill each cavity of the donut pan about ¾ full with the batter.
    • Bake the Donuts:
    • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 11-14 minutes, or until the donuts are cooked through. They should spring back lightly when pressed, or a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
    • Cool the Donuts:
    • Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.
    • Carefully take the donuts out of the pan and place them on a cooling rack.
    • Allow the donuts to cool completely before frosting.
    • Prepare the Frosting:
    • In a bowl, stir together the frosting ingredients until smooth.
    • Frost the Donuts:
    • Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the frosting.
    • Place the frosted donuts back on the cooling rack to allow the frosting to set completely.
    • Top with chocolate chips, sprinkles, food paint or mini M&M's.

    Notes

     
    To Store:
    Donuts can be stored in an airtight container for a couple days or a Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 246mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 44IUCalcium: 85mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword rainbow donut, rainbow donuts, rainbow sprinkle donuts
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    traci burntapple website featuring recipes with five ingredients or less

    Hi, I'm Traci! Cooking hasn't always come easy. I'm the burnt pancake on one side and perfect on the other pancake person that serves it to you with the pretty side up. I've learned to cook and make it look easy to my family and others. I'm now helping you save time & money with easy simple recipes with five ingredients or less!

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