There’s something undeniably cheerful about a doughnut. And not just any doughnut—I’m talking about the soft, pillowy, home-baked kind, dressed with a glossy coating of icing and a shower of hundreds and thousands. These aren’t the type you rush out to the shop to grab in a cardboard box. No, these are lovingly made at home, easily from scratch and in our house are called sprinkled doughnuts.
When I bake sprinkled doughnuts, it’s not just about the treat itself—it’s about the joy they bring. You see, doughnuts have this magical ability to brighten up any room. Whether it’s a rainy Saturday afternoon or a special birthday surprise, the sight of those colour-speckled rings can turn even the gloomiest face into a smiling one. They’re like little edible hugs, warm from the oven and full of sweetness.
I remember the first time I made them for my children. They had come home from school, dragging their bags and their feet behind them. A long week of lessons and playground squabbles had clearly worn them down. I decided a surprise was in order. While they settled in with their homework, I set to work in the kitchen.
There’s something so soothing about doughnut dough. It’s soft and springy between your hands, and it rises with a quiet determination while you get on with other tasks. After baking, the doughnuts emerge golden and plump—just waiting for their final flourish. That’s when the fun begins. I always line up the icing bowls, usually vanilla or strawberry, and dunk each doughnut in just deep enough to coat the top. Then comes the most delightful part: the hundreds and thousands.
Those little multicoloured sugar balls may seem like a small detail, but don’t be fooled. They’re the very essence of childhood joy. My little ones used to call them “party sprinkles,” and honestly, the name stuck. All of the sprinkled doughnuts get a good dunk into the sprinkles—some with a full coat, others with just a playful scatter. There’s no right or wrong way, really. The important part is that they’re made with love and shared with people who matter.
And the reaction? Oh, it was priceless. Eyes widened, smiles broke out, and homework was forgotten. For a few precious moments, all that mattered were those soft doughnuts and the stories we shared between bites. They’ve since become a family favourite, requested for sleepovers, holiday mornings, and even “just because” days.
What I love most about these doughnuts is how they combine comfort and fun in a single bite. The icing adds that rich, sugary indulgence, while the sprinkles bring a crunch and colour that kids—and let’s be honest, adults too—can’t resist. They’re the kind of treat that doesn’t try too hard. No fuss, no frills, just honest goodness and joy.
Baking sprinkled doughnuts at home is also a wonderful way to spend time together. Sometimes I let the little ones help—measuring the flour, cutting out the doughnut shapes, or (their favourite part) decorating. It’s messy, of course. There’s always flour in someone’s hair and sprinkles on the floor. But it’s also the stuff that memories are made of.
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned in the kitchen, it’s this: the best treats aren’t just the ones that taste delicious—they’re the ones that bring people together. A batch of sprinkled doughnuts might not solve the world’s problems, but they can certainly brighten a dull afternoon and remind us of the simple pleasures in life.
So next time you need a little pick-me-up or a reason to gather the family around, pop on your apron and make a batch. Whether they’re eaten warm with a cup of tea or tucked into lunchboxes the next day, these sprinkled doughnuts are more than just a sweet—they’re a sprinkle of happiness, straight from the heart.
Other toppings for Sprinkled Doughnuts:
If you’re looking to mix things up a bit or simply don’t have hundreds and thousands on hand, here are some delightful alternatives that make lovely toppings for home-baked iced sprinkled doughnuts:
1. Coloured Sugar Crystals
Perfect for adding sparkle and a crunch, coloured sugar comes in a rainbow of hues and gives doughnuts a magical finish.
2. Mini Chocolate Chips
A favourite for chocolate lovers! These add richness and a fun texture to every bite.
3. Crushed Nuts
Try chopped hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, or almonds for a nutty crunch and a touch of sophistication.
4. Desiccated Coconut
Sprinkled over the icing, coconut gives a snowy look and a subtle tropical flavour.
5. Shredded White or Dark Chocolate
Use a vegetable peeler to create fine curls from a chocolate bar—both elegant and indulgent.
6. Crushed Biscuits
Digestives, Oreos, or custard creams crumbled over the top give a playful, crunchy twist.
7. Dried Fruit Pieces
Chopped dried cranberries, cherries, or apricots offer a chewy texture and a pop of natural sweetness.
8. Edible Glitter or Luster Dust
For a special occasion or celebration, a dusting of edible glitter makes the doughnuts sparkle beautifully.
9. Sprinkles in Different Shapes
Stars, hearts, or seasonal-themed shapes (like snowflakes or pumpkins) keep things fun and festive.
10. Crushed Cereal
Think Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, or Frosties—these add crunch and colour, especially appealing for kids.
11. Cinnamon Sugar Dusting
Simple but heavenly. Mix cinnamon with caster sugar and sprinkle over the icing for a warming, sweet spice.
12. Freeze-Dried Fruit Powder
Strawberry, raspberry or blueberry powder not only looks pretty but adds a natural fruity tang.
13. Popcorn Pieces
It may sound quirky, but tiny caramel popcorn or sweet & salty bits can be a fun and tasty topping.
14. Mini Marshmallows
Soft, sweet and colourful, especially cute on pink or chocolate icing.
15. Jelly Tots or Small Sweets
Perfect for birthday parties—use sparingly for decoration and a sugar hit.
Sprinkled Doughnuts
Ingredients
For the doughnuts:
- 300 g strong white bread flour
- 7 g yeast sachet fast-action
- 40 g caster sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 150 ml warm milk
- 1 medium egg free range
- 40 g unsalted butter softened
For the icing:
- 150 g icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk water
- 3 drops vanilla extract strawberry extract
- Food colouring
For the topping:
- Hundreds and thousands alternative toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, desiccated coconut, etc.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt.300 g strong white bread flour, 7 g yeast, 40 g caster sugar, ½ tsp salt
- Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm milk and egg. Mix until it begins to come together.150 ml warm milk, 1 medium egg
- Add the butter and knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes (or 5 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook) until smooth and elastic.40 g unsalted butter
- Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel or cling film and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, knock the dough back and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1.5cm thick.
- Use a round cutter (around 8cm) to cut out circles, then use a smaller cutter (around 3cm) to cut out the centres to make rings. Re-roll the dough as needed.
- Place the doughnut rings on a baking tray lined with parchment. Cover lightly and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.
- Bake the doughnuts for 10–12 minutes until golden and slightly puffed. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Mix the icing sugar with just enough milk to make a thick, spreadable icing. Add extract or food colouring if desired.150 g icing sugar, 2 tbsp milk, 3 drops vanilla extract, Food colouring
- Dip the tops of the cooled doughnuts into the icing, then immediately dip into your chosen topping (hundreds and thousands, sprinkles, etc.). Leave the sprinkled doughnuts to set for 10–15 minutes before serving.Hundreds and thousands
17 comments
Saw these and had to make them. They are so tasty.
These doughnuts were a total hit with my kids!
I swapped the hundreds and thousands for chopped pistachios and dried cranberries, and they turned out beautifully.
Lovely texture and a fun bake overall.
Great for a beginner baker like me. I did over-knead the dough slightly, but even then they came out soft.
What a delightful bake! I used star-shaped sprinkles and pink icing for a baby shower—they were the first thing to disappear off the table
The icing and sprinkles made them look so cheerful.
So comforting and easy to make too—I’ll definitely be baking these again soon.
Honestly, these were better than shop-bought doughnuts. That slight crispness on the outside and fluffy middle—perfection.
Only wish I’d doubled the recipe
I made a batch for a school bake sale and they sold out in minutes.
Soft, fluffy, and just sweet enough—plus decorating them with sprinkles was the highlight of our weekend baking session.
I’ll try a glaze next time instead of icing for a lighter touch.
These were SO much fun to make with the kids. We did a topping station with coconut, marshmallows, and mini choc chips.
Good recipe, though I found my oven needed a bit more time to get that golden finish.
The dough turned out wonderfully soft and airy. I added a hint of cinnamon to the dough for extra warmth and it worked a treat
Absolutely perfect.