Food is often a part of any celebration. I like to take food to the next level for celebrations using colors and designs to make it extra fun. My background in cake decorating can be used for all types of food.
Easter Bunny Shaped pancakes, baseball colorful fruit kabobs, bento lunches… it’s all so fun
My son recently finished up the 8th grade school year and for the morning of their graduation celebration, I wanted to surprise him with donuts. To make it extra special, I wanted the cupcakes iced in green and purple, his school colors. I called a few donut shops, both local and chains, but none of them would do custom colors either with sprinkles or glaze.
Then it occurred to me. Why not just order plain donuts and add the color myself. The icing recipe only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to make so it was still easy to pick up the donuts and have them decorated before my son got up for the day so I could surprise him.
Donuts for graduation in School Colors
Ice the donuts with school colors. My son’s school’s colors are green and purple.
This would be fun for occasions other than graduation. Your kid’s sports team’s colors after a big win. Red, white and blue for July 4th. Black and Orange for Halloween. Your kid’s favorite colors for their birthdays. The opportunities are endless. Have fun with food and celebrate.
How Ice Donuts with Colored Icing Drizzles
You need to purchase glazed donuts. You can get plain glazed or chocolate iced glazed donuts. If you’re up to it, you can make your donuts from scratch but I decided to keep things simple and purchase donuts from Dunkin Donuts.
Icing Glaze Ingredients
3/4 cup Powdered sugar – sift if there are any clumps.
1 Tablespoon water
A few drops of gel colors. I prefer the Americolor brand of gel colors. You can also use food colorings but you will need to use a little less water.
How to mix up a batch of glaze and decorate the donuts
Mix up a batch for each color. After getting the right color and consistency, pour into a squeeze bottle. It’s best to use the icing while it’s fresh. If its sit for a while, it will need to be mixed again to get the correct consistency.
Variations of decorated donuts
You can use the same icing recipe but adjust to add more water and dip the donuts in the glaze to completely cover the top with a colored icing glaze
You can skip adding color to the icing so it is clear. While the icing is still wet, add sprinkles to the top of the cupcakes. Don’t wait too long – if the icing crusts, the sprinkles don’t stick very well.
Custom Donuts With Colored Icing Glaze

Ingredients
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon water
- several drops of icing gel colors
- glazed donuts
Instructions
1. Combine water and sugar until thoroughly mixed.
2. Add a few drops of color until you achieve the correct color
3. Pour into a squeeze bottle. It's best to use the icing while it's fresh. If its sit for a while, it will need to be mixed again to get the correct consistency.
4. Drizzle across cupcakes
Notes
Variations:
You can use the same icing recipe but adjust to add more water and dip the donuts in the glaze to completely cover the top with a colored icing glaze
You can skip adding color to the icing so it is clear. While the icing is still wet, add sprinkles to the top of the cupcakes. Don't wait too long - if the icing crusts, the sprinkles don't stick very well.