No, not donuts with sprinkles—donut sprinkles themselves! Tiny donut-shaped sprinkles perched on top of cake or cupcakes. When donuts and cake come together, happiness follows. Turning Cheerios into miniature donuts isn’t a brand-new idea, but it’s such a clever, playful twist that it never gets old. I tried these tiny donuts as part of a donut DIY project and fell in love with the idea of turning them into sprinkles. Sprinkles on sprinkles, sweets on sweets—it’s a little joyful world. These mini donut sprinkles are perfect for decorating treats and adding a whimsical touch to any dessert.
Supplies you’ll need:
Cheerios or a similar oat cereal (Trader Joe’s O’s or plain Cheerios work great)
Chocolate or candy melts for the “frosting” layer
Very small nonpareil sprinkles (tiny is best)
Toothpicks
How to make them:
Melt chocolate or candy melts in the microwave, stirring every 20–30 seconds until smooth. There are two easy ways to frost your mini donuts. For speed, lightly dip the top of each Cheerio into the melted chocolate, then let excess drip off. You may need a toothpick to gently re-open the center hole if it gets clogged. For more control over the look, dip the tip of a toothpick in chocolate and “paint” the top of the Cheerio. Immediately after coating, add a few tiny sprinkles by hand so they adhere while the chocolate is still wet. Don’t overload them with sprinkles—you’ll want to keep the donut shape visible since they’re so small.
Imagine surprising the kids by topping their cereal with a tiny donut treat—or scattering these on cupcakes and cakes for an extra playful decoration. They make desserts feel festive and unique without much effort.
Use these mini donut sprinkles to top cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or any sweet where a pop of whimsy is welcome. They’re especially charming for birthday treats, baby showers, or themed parties where small, colorful details make a big impression.
All photos by Studio DIY
Once your cake is topped with tiny donuts, you can continue the theme throughout your party decor—match it with a donut-shaped piñata, coordinating balloons, or other playful accents. These mini donut sprinkles are an easy, inexpensive way to elevate desserts and charm guests of all ages.