How to Display Donuts for a Party

Co-authored by Ivy Summer and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: October 3, 2024 References

A finger food like donuts makes for a great party treat that your guests can enjoy. Displaying them well can be a challenge, especially if you’d like to make your donuts the star of the show, but we’ve got plenty of ideas to help. From a DIY donut wall pegboard to a donut “cake,” we’ve got all the fun and trendy ways you can display donuts for a party. Keep reading to learn how you can arrange these tasty treats to match any party aesthetic.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Hanging Donuts on a Pegboard

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Purchase a pegboard. Depending on the size of your party, you may need a larger or smaller pegboard. Opt for one large board for a jaw-dropping display, or go for a few small boards for a more intimate experience.^{[1]
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- Use acrylic paint to add some color to your pegboard for a bright decoration.
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Attach wooden dowels every 3 inches (7.6 cm). Pegboards have small holes that are spaced about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart. Stick wooden dowels into every third hole, leaving about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the dowel sticking out, so there’s enough room for each donut to hang off of one.^{[2]
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- Arrange your dowels in a geometric design, like a square or a triangle, for some added flair.
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Hang one donut on every dowel. Wash your hands and carefully pick up your donuts one at a time. This is the fun part, so get creative! The pegboard is your canvas, and the donuts are your paints.^{[3]
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- If you have a lot of donuts, consider hanging two on each wooden dowel if there's room.
- If your donuts are different colors, arrange them in a color gradient that fades from light to dark for an ombre effect.
4
Attach a funny phrase or message to your pegboard for some added flair. If you have extra room on top, use some wooden letters to create a message on top of the pegboard. Trying spelling out “Happy Birthday,” “Welcome,” or something donut related, like “It’s Donut Day.”^{[4]
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- Use acrylic paint to decorate your wooden letters to match the theme of your party.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Arranging Donuts to Mimic a Cake

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Pile your donuts on a cake stand for a towering centerpiece. Place a cake stand in the center of your food table, and arrange donuts layer by layer to create a pyramid. Place your favorite donut on top and watch as your guests marvel at the delicious “cake.”^{[5]
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- Try using mini donuts for a oh-so-adorable tiny pyramid.
2
Stack donuts sideways on a tiered cake stand to mimic a stacked cake. No cake? No problem! Set a 2 to 3 tiered cake stand on a table. Place donuts one by one on each tier, so they're on their sides and leaning on each other. Your guests are sure to be amazed by this stunning “cake.”^{[6]
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- Poke small decorations, like a bride and groom, into the top layer of donuts to mimic cake toppers if you’d like to.
- Instead of putting donuts sideways, you can also stack them up on top of one another on each level.
Set a few large baking trays or sheets on a table. Arrange your donuts in organized lines on the trays to mimic a sheet cake. Try dishing them out by color or flavor.
4
Assemble your donuts on top of a cake, if you have one. You can never have too many treats at a party! If you’d like your guests to have a few layers of sweets to work through, use a small, flat cake as the base for your donuts. Stack your donuts on top of the cake in a pyramid to add more delicious layers to your cake.
- This is a great idea if you’re throwing a party for someone with a sweet tooth or displaying both a cake and donuts.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Laying Donuts Out on a Table

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Stack 2 to 3 donuts in a to-go box as a party favor. Your guests don’t have to eat their delicious treats right away. Instead, fill some small bakery boxes with a few donuts each and have your guests grab them on their way out. This way, they can bring a bit of the party home with them.^{[7]
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- Use old to-go containers that you’ve gotten food in before as an easy party favor box.
2
Stick toothpicks in donuts holes for a yummy finger food. Full-size donuts can be a lot to eat, and they might make your guests’ hands sticky. Avoid this by popping a toothpick into each donut hole, arranging them on a tray for guests to pick up as they dance and chat.^{[8]
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- Add small sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, and cupcakes to the menu to make it a finger foods party.
3
Use your donuts as place cards. If you have a seating arrangement, keep things festive and tasty by adding a donut to each place before guests sit down. Add their names to the top of the donuts with frosting or a paper flag for an extra special touch.^{[9]
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- This donut display tricks works really well for weddings, as feeding guests a treat before a reception can help tide them over until dinner.
4
Add donuts to floral centerpieces. If you already have beautiful floral arrangements, stack a pyramid of donuts on top of them to add an edible feature to your displays. Just make sure your guests know that the donuts are only edible—the flowers probably won’t be as tasty.
- This looks great at wedding receptions and baby showers, where flowers are often used as decoration.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Placing Donuts on Shelves

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1
Hang free-standing shelves on your wall for a decorative display. Drill some screws to attach shelves to the walls of your venue, making sure to screw into the wall's studs so they stay secure. Set your donuts up on the shelves on their own or on top of small decorative plates.
- Add some decorative banners around your shelves for added decoration.
- Clean your shelves thoroughly before setting up your donuts to get rid of any dirt or dust.
2
Set a small bookshelf on your table for a cute addition. If you want your dessert table to really stand out, set up a small, tabletop bookshelf on the very back of the table. Stack your donuts following a color pattern or go completely random–it’s sure to be whimsical either way.^{[10]
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- Paint your bookshelf to match the theme of your party for extra flair.
3
Make your donuts the center of attention with a large bookshelf. If you have a lot of donuts and want to make them the life of the party, arrange them in a single layer on a floor-to-ceiling shelf bookshelf. Just make sure your shelf is on flat ground so that it doesn’t wobble around as your guests reach for their donuts.
- If you want to mix it up, look for a bookshelf with a geometric design to stack your donuts on.
For a retro or fantastical look, display your donuts on a clear shelf. This will allude to the display cases donuts are often found in or to a child’s whimsical wonderland.

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Tips

Try to order at least one donut per guest for your party, or order twice as many if you want them to take home donuts as party favors.

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