Graduation Donut Tower with Sprinkles (Printable)

Stacked glazed mini donuts iced with vanilla and bright sprinkles to create a festive graduation centerpiece.

# Ingredient List:

→ Donuts

01 - 36 mini glazed donuts (store-bought or homemade)

→ Icing

02 - 2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
03 - 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Decorations

05 - 1/2 cup assorted colorful sprinkles
06 - Edible gold stars, optional
07 - Graduation-themed toothpick toppers, optional

→ Assembly

08 - 1 large polystyrene foam cone, approximately 12 inches tall
09 - Wooden skewers or toothpicks
10 - Serving platter or cake stand

# Directions:

01 - Ensure homemade donuts are fully cooled before decorating; if using store-bought, verify they are fresh and at room temperature for best adhesion of icing.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and vanilla until smooth; add the remaining tablespoon of milk only if needed to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
03 - Dip the top of each mini donut into the icing, allow excess to drip back into the bowl, then immediately press the iced surface into sprinkles; place on a rack or tray and let the icing set about 15 minutes.
04 - Set the foam cone on the serving platter or cake stand so it sits stable and centered before beginning assembly.
05 - Starting at the cone base, impale each donut partway into the foam or secure it against the cone with a wooden skewer or toothpick, creating a full first ring around the cone.
06 - Continue adding overlapping rings of donuts, working upward and slightly inward to form a conical tower; secure each donut with a skewer or toothpick as needed for stability.
07 - Tuck extra donuts into any visible gaps, scatter additional sprinkles over the assembled tower and press edible stars into place if using.
08 - Top the tower with a graduation-themed topper, present immediately or keep covered at room temperature for up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It’s easier to assemble than it looks, and the burst of color guarantees everyone’s attention.
  • Letting guests pluck their donut from the tower turns dessert into an interactive celebration.
02 -
  • I once thought I could skip letting the icing set—learned quickly that sticky hands and sliding donuts are not a good mix.
  • Switching to sturdier toothpicks mid-build kept my whole tower from toppling over at the last minute.
03 -
  • Always place the heavier donuts at the bottom for a sturdy base.
  • Letting each layer set for a few minutes before stacking higher keeps the tower secure and stress-free.
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