How to Throw a Donut Party: Pro Tips + Easy Ways to Create a Trendy ‘Donut Wall’
Filled with sweet treats and fun flourishes, this cheery brunch will turn anyone into a morning person!
Everyone enjoys a distraction during the long winter months — and throwing a cozy brunch with your nearest and dearest is a sweet way to spend a weekend afternoon! What’s even sweeter: putting a fun spin on your get-together and making it a donut party — complete with a trendy #donutwall! With more than 139,000 posts on Instagram and 13 million views on TikTok, it’s safe to say this delicious party display idea is buzzing. We tapped an expert party planner for the easy donut wall how-to’s and savvy tips for throwing your own donut party — on a dime!
“I am so beyond excited to share this fun donut party with you,” says Andressa Hara, founder of TwinkleTwinkleLittleParty.com. “This is such an adorable theme. And I think any donut-themed party deserves a donut cake and other treats to match!” To get the look of Hara’s party (above), set up your donut wall first. To do: Mount a pegboard (from the hardware store) to the wall, pop 4-inch dowels into the holes, then hang donuts from the dowels. To finish, slide a table in front of the wall, top with treats and sips, then hang a tassel garland across the front of the table. Pile balloons on the floor in front of the table and encourage guests to take photos in front of the wall as they grab their treats.
For a step-by-step tutorial on building a super-easy DIY donut wall, check out this TikTok from Kaylyn Sumner:
Plate up colorful on-theme sugar cookies
Thin and crispy, these pretty cookies offer a delightfully crunchy contrast to soft donuts. To make a batch, roll out sugar cookie dough, then cut out rounds using a drinking glass. Use a shot glass to punch a hole in each, then bake and let cool. Top with frosting (tinted with food coloring) and colorful sprinkles. Easy!
Add a pop of pretty with so-sweet place settings
You don’t need to fuss with a tablecloth to boost the bright feel of this party. Instead, follow Hara’s lead and opt for colorful place settings. Start by choosing a dinner-sized disposable plate with a fun striped pattern, then top with a donut-themed dessert-sized plate (like Donut Paper Dessert Plates, Buy at OrientalTrading.com, $2 for 8) and a matching napkin. For even more color, sprinkle confetti on the table.
Offer up a dessert that doubles as party decor
Wow your entire crowd with a head-turning dessert, like this donut cake created by Hara. It’s surprisingly easy to make! Just bake your favorite vanilla cake mix in 3 round cake pans. Let cool, then carefully cut a hole in the center of each cake. Spread frosting (tinted with food coloring) between each layer and frost the top layer with pink icing. To finish, decorate with sprinkles.
Say ‘cheers’ to fun with boozy milkshakes
The perfect sip to pair with donuts? Creamy, indulgent milkshake cocktails. To make each drink, scoop 1 cup of vanilla ice cream into a blender, then add 1 cup of milk and blend. Add 1 oz. of your favorite flavored vodka (like whipped cream or cake) and blend again. Pour each milkshake into a mini glass milk bottle, add a colorful striped straw and slip a donut cookie over the straw.
Dress up store-bought donuts with a quick DIY
Pastel-hued treats add a burst of pretty color to a donut party, but if you can’t find them in a bakery near you, try this: Order plain or glazed donuts, then whip up a batch of glaze-style icing by mixing 2 cups of powdered sugar with 1⁄4 cup of milk and 1⁄2 tsp. of vanilla extract. Divide the icing into a few bowls and tint each with food coloring. Hold donuts at the edges and dip in the glaze, then flip them upright. Move to wire rack until set (about 2 hours).
Related: This Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe Is the Perfect Fall ‘Lazy Dessert’
Send them home smiling with to-go treat boxes
The best favor after a donut party? Another treat to enjoy the next day! Hara nestled adorable store-bought cupcakes into mini bakery boxes, then topped each with an extra donut (or top with an extra donut cookie!). After closing the box, she wrapped each with colorful baker’s twine, then tucked in a mini wooden spoon (Buy from Amazon, $8 for 100) and a sweet little thank-you tag to show her gratitude. For a similar donut-themed tag, download and print the Donut Thank You Tag at Etsy.com and slip one under each wooden spoon.
Make smart use of donut party leftovers
If you’ve ordered a few too many donuts for the party, use the extras as a base for delicious truffle treats. To make: Crumble donuts into a bowl, then stir in enough cake frosting to create a dough. Refrigerate the dough overnight, then roll into bite-sized balls and enjoy!
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
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