Graduation Donut Tower with Sprinkles (Printable)

Mini glazed donuts iced and sprinkled, stacked into a festive tower—an eye-catching graduation centerpiece.

# Ingredient List:

→ Donuts

01 - 36 mini glazed donuts (store-bought or freshly made)

→ Icing

02 - 2 cups powdered (confectioners') sugar
03 - 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk, as needed to adjust consistency
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Decorations

05 - 1/2 cup assorted colorful sprinkles
06 - Edible gold star sprinkles (optional)
07 - Graduation-themed toothpick toppers (optional)

→ Assembly materials

08 - One foam cone or styrofoam cake form, approximately 12 inches tall
09 - Wooden skewers or toothpicks, quantity as required to secure donuts

# How to Prepare:

01 - Ensure donuts are fully cooled if freshly made; if using purchased donuts, confirm they are fresh and at room temperature before assembly.
02 - Whisk powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and vanilla in a bowl until smooth and thick but pourable; add the remaining tablespoon of milk only if needed to reach a dip-able consistency.
03 - Dip the top of each mini donut into the icing, lift and allow excess to drip back into the bowl, then immediately press the top into sprinkles; set glazed donuts on a rack or tray and let icing set, about 15 minutes.
04 - Place the foam cone on a serving platter or cake stand so it sits securely and will support the tower during assembly.
05 - Starting at the cone base, impale a donut into the cone center or secure its base to the cone with a wooden skewer or toothpick angled toward the cone to anchor it; arrange donuts in a tight circle, slightly overlapping.
06 - Continue adding donuts in concentric rows, slightly overlapping each row and securing individual donuts with skewers or toothpicks as needed to maintain stability while forming a conical tower.
07 - Tuck extra donuts or trimmed pieces into any gaps for a uniform appearance; scatter additional sprinkles or edible stars across the tower and top with a graduation topper as desired.
08 - Present immediately or cover and keep at room temperature for up to 2 hours; avoid refrigeration to prevent icing condensation and sogginess.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Your secret shortcut to a show-stopping dessert centerpiece that’s all fun and no fuss.
  • It’s endlessly customizable, irresistibly colorful, and has graduated from cake to true crowd-pleaser at every party I’ve thrown since.
02 -
  • If the donuts are too warm or the glaze hasn’t fully set, everything slides—a lesson learned by watching my first tower slump halfway through the party.
  • Using toothpicks at an angle gives better hold and prevents the top layers from toppling during transport.
03 -
  • Dipping and decorating donuts assembly-line style with a friend speeds things up and makes memories, too.
  • A thin layer of icing on the cone (or foil) under the first donut row can give extra hold and makes cleanup a breeze.
Go Back