There is nothing like the smell of fresh, warm donuts wafting through the house. It’s the kind of smell that makes people wander into the kitchen and ask, “Whatcha makin’?” even if they were in the middle of something Very Important. And when those donuts happen to be dipped in pretty pink glaze and decked out in bright orange and white sprinkles? Ohhh, now we’re talking magic.

Pink and Orange Homemade Donuts with Sprinkles

These Pink and Orange Donuts are soft, sweet, and just a little bit extra perfect for birthday parties, brunch tables, weekend treat-yourself moments, or anytime the family needs a little pick-me-up. And don’t let the word “homemade” scare you off. I promise, this recipe is completely doable.

Why These Donuts Are a Win

They’re made with love (and pantry staples).
You don’t need a donut pan. Just a round cutter and a little patience.
The glaze is so simple, and the colors make everything more fun.
They actually taste like donuts not muffins pretending to be donuts.
Your house will smell amazing.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s What You’ll Need:

For the donuts:

3 egg yolks
1–2 cups oil (for frying vegetable oil works great)
2 ½ cups self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup caster sugar
1 tbsp dry yeast
½ cup butter

For the glaze and decorations:

1 cup icing sugar
2 tbsp water
Orange, pink, and white sprinkles (get the cute ones!)

Step-by-Step: Let’s Make Pink and Orange Donuts

Step 1: Make the dough

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the flour, dry yeast, and caster sugar. Give it a good mix with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Next, add the egg yolks and mix again. It might look a little messy at first totally normal.

Then slowly add in the milk and the softened butter. Use your hands if needed to bring it all together into a nice soft dough. It should feel a little sticky, but not too wet. If it’s too sticky, just sprinkle in a tiny bit more flour.

Form the dough into a ball, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel, and set it in a warm spot to rise for about 2 hours.

Step 2: Shape the donuts

Once your dough has puffed up, sprinkle your countertop with a bit of flour and turn the dough out onto it.

Roll it out to about ½-inch thick. Then, using a round cutter (a drinking glass works in a pinch), cut out your donut shapes. To make the holes in the center, a small bottle cap or a ¾-inch round cutter does the trick perfectly.

Place each donut on a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured tray. Let them rest for another 30–60 minutes to rise a bit more. This second rise makes them super light and fluffy once they hit the oil.

Step 3: Fry time

Pour the oil into a deep frying pan or pot and heat it up. If you have a thermometer, aim for around 350°F (175°C). If not, test it by dropping in a small bit of dough it should sizzle and start cooking right away, but not burn.

Carefully place 1–2 donuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to flip them gently.

Place the cooked donuts on a plate lined with paper towels to cool and drain off any excess oil.

Step 4: Glaze and decorate

Once the donuts are cool enough to handle (but still slightly warm is fine), mix together the icing sugar and water to make a smooth glaze. You want it thick enough to coat, but not so thick it just sits there.

Dip each donut into the glaze and set them on a cooling rack or baking sheet.

Now for the fun part: sprinkles! Go wild with pink, orange, and white. Let the kids help or don’t.

Let’s Talk Serving Ideas

These donuts look adorable piled high on a cake stand. They’re perfect for:

Birthday brunches
Mother’s Day treats
Baby showers
Summer parties (hello, creamsicle vibes!)
Saturday mornings when you need something happy

Storing & Reheating

Fresh is best, of course, but if you have extras (miracles happen), here’s what to do:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back a little of that warm-donut magic.
These don’t freeze super well once glazed, but you can freeze the unglazed donuts and glaze them later if you like to plan ahead.

A Few Tips

Use self-rising flour. It’s what gives these donuts their fluffy texture. If you don’t have it, you can sub with all-purpose flour + baking powder, but I find self-rising keeps things simple.
Don’t skip the second rise. It’s tempting, I know. But it makes a big difference in the final donut.
Make it a family project. Let the kids cut out shapes, dip in glaze, or decorate with sprinkles. Yes, it’ll be a little messy. Yes, it’s worth it.
Want Baked Donuts instead? Try these vegan baked donuts.

So whether you’re planning a party, need a sweet surprise for the kids, or just want to try something new on a Sunday morning, these Pink and Orange Donuts are here for you.

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