Graduation Party Donut Tower (Printable)

Fluffy glazed donuts stacked into a colorful tower, finished with sprinkles and festive toppers for graduation.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Donuts

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

→ Icing

02 - 2 cups powdered sugar
03 - 3 to 4 tablespoons 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 styrofoam or cone-shaped cake form, about 12 inches tall
09 - Wooden skewers or toothpicks

# How To Make It:

01 - Ensure homemade donuts are completely cooled before glazing; if using store-bought, verify they are fresh and at room temperature.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 to 4 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla; whisk until smooth and thick but still pourable, adjusting milk by teaspoonfuls as needed.
03 - Dip the top of each mini donut into the icing, let excess drip back into the bowl, then immediately coat the glazed surface with sprinkles; place on a rack or parchment-lined tray and allow icing to set about 15 minutes.
04 - Place the styrofoam cone securely on a serving platter or cake stand so it will not shift during assembly.
05 - Starting at the base, press a donut against the cone and secure it with a wooden skewer or toothpick pushed through the donut into the cone; space donuts evenly to form a stable first ring.
06 - Continue stacking donuts in slightly overlapping concentric rings, working upward and securing each donut with a skewer or toothpick until you reach the top of the cone.
07 - Tuck extra donuts into any visible gaps to create a uniform surface, then scatter additional sprinkles or press edible gold stars into the icing where desired.
08 - Place a graduation-themed topper at the apex for a celebratory finish; present immediately or cover loosely and keep at room temperature for up to 2 hours.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get to assemble edible architecture and call it dessert—everyone wants a piece of the tower.
  • The sight of sparkling donuts waiting to be plucked feels downright magical at a graduation party.
02 -
  • If you rush the stacking and skip enough skewers, gravity will win—a donut avalanche is not as fun as it looks.
  • Letting the icing set before assembly keeps everything neat and prevents sticky donut dominoes.
03 -
  • Start stacking from the bottom and work up in overlapping layers for a more stable build.
  • Stick to smaller donuts—big ones are tempting but trickier for tower perfection.
Go Back