Triple Stack Donut Cake

Three butter cake layers make up this triple stack donut cake, complete with colorful glaze and rainbow sprinkles. It’s sure to bring smiles at any party!

Triple Stack Donut Cake

This past week has been filled with the deliberate business of comparing flooring samples, cabinet colors and counter tops for the kitchen remodel. The whole thing feels foreign to me; too serious, too adult. To balance out all of that grown-up stuff, I decided to create a cake that would bring genuine childlike joy to my face – extra sprinkles, please!

Behold the Triple Stack Donut Cake. It’s big on fun and it’s too easy to make! It’s basically three giant butter cake donuts with the usual donut glaze and rainbow sprinkles. I’ve been mulling over the idea of a giant donut cake ever since I purchased a Savarin pan. I’ve yet to use the pan for its intended purpose, but I’ll get around to it eventually.

Triple Stack Donut Cake

Sprinkle-licious!

Let’s just take a minute to let all those sprinkles sink in to our psyche. It makes me feel happy, and I hope it makes you feel happy too! And how about that adorable sprinkles scoop?! Brooke of Sucre Shop sent a couple to me and when I opened the box I let out a little squeal that made both pugs do a full head tilt.

Triple Stack Donut Cake
Triple Stack Donut Cake

The perfect blank canvas.

The butter cake recipe is from the Sprinkle Bakes book.  It’s such a good basic butter cake that yields three 9-inch cake layers. Like the book says, it’s the perfect blank canvas for whatever flavors or colors you’d like to add to it. Sometimes I simply soak it with vanilla syrup.

Triple Stack Donut Cake
Triple Stack Donut Cake

Slicing and serving this cake is so much fun! The three colorful layers look pretty on a plate. Confession: I didn’t need a fork to eat a slice. I ate it layer by layer with my fingers, accompanied by a tall glass of milk.

Triple Stack Donut Cake

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need a Savarin pan to make this donut cake, and you can find the one I used here. If you’re more inclined to purchase one locally, check nearby kitchen specialty shops. It’s a great little pan to have and multipurpose, too! I’ve used it to bake all kinds of breads and cakes (remember this porcupine-esque genoise?).

Stay happy, friends! Here’s to a sprinkle-filled week and beyond. ♡

Triple Stack Donut Cake

Heather Baird
Three butter cake layers make up this donut-inspired confection, complete with colorful glaze and rainbow sprinkles. It's sure to bring smiles at any party!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Equipment

  • 9 3/4-inch (32 ounce capacity) Savarin pan

Ingredients
 
 

Cake

  • 3/4 pound 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 5 eggs at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour I like White Lily flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk at room temperature

Glaze

  • 6 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 3 teaspoons clear vanilla extract or other clear extract
  • 3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream
  • Lime green blue and pink food gel color
  • Rainbow sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Make the cakes: Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and lightly flour a Savarin cake pan (or 3, if you have them – I only used one).
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until lightened in color and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk; begin and end with the flour mixture. Beat until the batter is smooth and thoroughly combined. Fill the savarin pan(s) a little over halfway full of batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick tester comes out clean. Transfer the cake(s) to wire cooling racks and let them cool completely before frosting
  • Make the glazes: Place two cups of confectioners’ sugar in three separate bowls. Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract to each bowl. Whisk heavy cream into each bowl 1 tablespoon at a time until a thick, runny glaze forms. Tint one bowl of glaze lime green; tint a second bowl with blue and the last bowl with pink food color. Mix until each color is consistent.
  • Place a donut cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Using a spoon, glaze the first cake with lime green glaze; toss on sprinkles. Top the first donut with a second cake layer; cover with blue glaze and sprinkles. Add the final donut cake layer and cover with pink glaze; add sprinkles. Let the cake stand uncovered until the glaze firms, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately or store covered loosely in plastic wrap (or in an air-tight cake-keeper).

Notes

If you only use one pan like I did, then you’ll l need wash, re-grease and flour the pan between baking. Also, while the first and second cakes bake, cover the unused batter bowl with a damp kitchen towel.
Keyword butter cake, confectioners’ glaze, savarin pan
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
8 years ago

This is essentially a giant smile. LOVE this cake!!

Bella B
Bella B
8 years ago

Who won't smile looking at this! I love everything about this.

xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com

June Burns
June Burns
8 years ago

Ah that doughnut pan is too cute! Such a fun layer cake, I'm sure it'd be perfect for a birthday party 🙂

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
8 years ago

Pretty and colourful. A delicious cake I'm sure.

Cheers,

Rosa

prouddaydreamer
prouddaydreamer
8 years ago

Omg this is the cutest cake ever! (which I what I say with every cake you make haha) What an awesome idea.

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

Makes me smile. I love it. Must do my own version of this

Aleena @ Blossom Bakes
Aleena @ Blossom Bakes
8 years ago

Wow so cute and fun with all the sprinkles! I love how you turned donuts into a cake! i never would have thought of that!
I do have a question. How do you set up your pictures so beautifully, with all the different jars and plates? I always struggle with creating a nice background for my blog pictures. Thanks for any advice!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago

Hi Aleena! Thank you for the kind words! I don't really have a formula for choosing backgrounds; I just try to include what makes sense. These days I'm really drawn to white backdrops and white serveware. I think it lets the dessert be the main focus. My advice would be to make an inspiration board of the photography you like, and then try to recreate something similar with your own dessert photography. It doesn't have to be an exact copy of someone else's, but you can gather ideas and inspiration before you prop shop and shoot! I hope this helps-… Read more »

The Bearfoot Baker
The Bearfoot Baker
8 years ago

That is the cutest donut cake I have ever seen! And the SPRINKLES! 🙂

Linda@TodaySheLoves
Linda@TodaySheLoves
8 years ago

Um, jaw dropping wow! This cake looks super fun and colorful with all the sprinkles and frosting.

Aleena @ Blossom Bakes
Aleena @ Blossom Bakes
8 years ago

Wow thanks! That would really help!

Life Bellissima
Life Bellissima
8 years ago

Such a lovely cake! So delighted to have found your blog!
~ Anna

Anonymous
Anonymous
8 years ago

I really love this cake because it is simple and at the same time so beautiful!
Thanks a lot for the photography advice, it would be useful for me too 🙂

Daniela @ Dani's cookings
Daniela @ Dani's cookings
8 years ago

I really love this cake because it is simple and at the same time so beautiful!
Thanks a lot for the photography advice, it would be useful for me too 🙂

Nazia @ Your Sunny Side Up
Nazia @ Your Sunny Side Up
8 years ago

Gah! This cake is just so many shades of cute!

Jelli
Jelli
8 years ago

Gorgeous! Love the pretty colors and your amazing photos. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who eats cake with their fingers 🙂

Caitlin
Caitlin
8 years ago

Love this idea, your photos are truly awesome! I need to get myself one of those sprinkle scoops!

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

¡Fantástica receta! Fácil de elaborar con buenas fotografías y un resultado delicioso. Gracias por compartirla con todos/as.
/ http://www.mascasaonline.com

Sheila Torres
Sheila Torres
8 years ago

This cake is just too cute! I hope you don't mind that I shared it on Facebook. It's fabulous! Can't wait to make it.

Juju Sprinkles
Juju Sprinkles
8 years ago

This cake would make Homer real happy! It looks so cute, and your photography is incredible! And that scoop with Sprinkles printed on it, love it!

Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com

Kara | Sorghum and Starch
Kara | Sorghum and Starch
8 years ago

This cake is so whimsical! It just puts a big smile on your face! I love butter cake and I can't wait to make this!

http://www.sorghumandstarch.com

cupcakes
cupcakes
8 years ago

Triple big Donut cake is a genious idea, this look so amazing, don't you mind if I share it on my facebook page?

Tiffany @ Baking with Best
Tiffany @ Baking with Best
8 years ago

This is gorgeous! Love the colours, well done!

Mellybrown
Mellybrown
8 years ago

My doughnut loving gal has already chosen this cake for her next birthday party …. next June 🙂 Adorable!

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

I adore this! It reminds me a little bit of Homer Simpson's donuts! I hope that doesn't offend you 🙂

Virginia
Virginia
8 years ago

This cake takes me back to The Simpsons days. That is exactly how Homers donuts looked in the cartoon!

Mei めい
Mei めい
8 years ago

I love this cake! It's so cute and looks yum <3

http://japobsganbare.blogspot.com/

Anonymous
Anonymous
8 years ago

That looks really Good 🙂

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

Hello. Nice cake as always. one question: do I need to let the cakes cool completely before wrapping? also another stupid question: I know you mentioned you let them stand overnight. that means on a table, at room temperature right? not in the fridge.
Thank you for always sharing such beauty.

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago
Reply to  Unknown

Hi! Yes – cool cakes completley before covering. And yes- store wrapped overnight at room temp on the table (not a stupid question!) – thanks for asking!

Shannon
Shannon
8 years ago

Hi – this cake is gorgeous! I'd love to try to make it as a chocolate donut, though, or with chocolate glaze. Do you have any recommendations on how best to do this? Just adding cocoa powder to the batter? If so, how much? Thank you!

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

Hello. So, I did bake the cake few days back. Well it didn't turn out to be the same as yours. How did you manage to get the cakes that white?? also the glaze was dripping all over. I guess 1 cup of for each color is enough. BUT, my guests actually liked it 🙂 and they liked the cake itself but I found it a bit dense, is it supposed to be dense? the texture is actually something new to me, I've never baked something like it before. I will be baking it a second time and this time… Read more »

Sam Kulp
Sam Kulp
8 years ago

Can you use a regular donut pan to do this cake? Thanks!

zakopane-wypożyczalnia
zakopane-wypożyczalnia
8 years ago

This cake looks amazing, I it is perfect!! 😉

Anonymous
Anonymous
8 years ago

Am I able to put the glaze on the cake and leave it on the counter overnight even though it has cream in it?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Yes. It will be fine. The glaze will firm overnight.

Unknown
Unknown
7 years ago

Help! Can I use a bundt pan? I can't get the Savarin pan in time to make the cake for the party.

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
7 years ago
Reply to  Unknown

Hi! Maybe? I've never tried it so I can't say for sure how the end result will look. If I were attempting this, I'd divide the batter evenly into three portions and keep an eye on the batter as it bakes so it doesn't over-bake. (Edited!) Savarin pans are usually 5 cup capacity and bundt pans are 10-12 cup capacity. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Unknown
Unknown
7 years ago

Hi there. Have you ever made a chocolate version? I thought it might be fun to make the middle layer chocolate. Do you know how the recipe would change if I made a chocolate cake?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
7 years ago
Reply to  Unknown

Hi! I think that's a great idea. I'd make everything as written, except for the glaze recipe. After you divide it into three portions, tint two portions with the desired food colors and stir in 1/4 cup melted semisweet chocolate to the third portion. Glaze as directed. Hope this helps! Thanks for asking!

crunchykimmy
crunchykimmy
5 years ago

I made this cake this morning for my daughter's 8th birthday. We haven't tested it yet, but it looks pretty! Not as pretty as your picture, but close! It seems that batter recipe needs to be larger, as the cakes aren't quite as plump as I had hoped for. The glaze is hit or miss; I made mine very thick, and it worked well. I wish I knew how to insert a picture!
Thanks for sharing this adorable cake recipe!!!

candmsmom
candmsmom
5 years ago

Beautiful cake! I’m wondering if the cake can be made ahead of time and frozen prior to adding the glaze. Thank you.

candmsmom
candmsmom
5 years ago

Beautiful cake! I’m wondering if the cake can be made and frozen ahead of time prior to adding the glaze. Thank you!

Leslie Harris
Leslie Harris
1 year ago

Do you have a marble cake recipe to use for this?

Debra
Debra
1 year ago

5 stars
Turned out great! Only made two layers and filled the cakes with pastry cream.

Sugar Art
1 year ago

Can’t wait to do these for my daughter’s birthday!!

Cindi
Cindi
18 days ago

I just bought this pan!!! Thanks for giving me something new and fun to try!!!!