Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Start your day with the warm embrace of freshly baked cinnamon sugar donuts—soft, fluffy, and bursting with cozy spices. This recipe captures the nostalgic charm of classic donuts while keeping the process blissfully simple for any home baker.
With just a handful of pantry staples and a quick bake, these donuts are ready to satisfy cravings in under 30 minutes. Their irresistible cinnamon sugar coating adds a delightful crunch to every tender bite, making them the perfect treat for breakfast or a sweet snack.
Whether you’re hosting brunch or indulging solo, these donuts are a guaranteed hit. Plus, their freezer-friendly nature means you can enjoy their magic whenever the mood strikes.
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives these donuts their tender, cake-like structure.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: A warm, aromatic duo that infuses the batter with cozy, spiced undertones.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel sweetness, enhancing the depth of flavor.
- Milk & Yogurt: This creamy pair ensures a moist and fluffy texture while balancing richness.
- Unsalted Butter: A touch of melted luxury that binds and enriches the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: A fragrant note that elevates every bite with its classic essence.
Perfectly chosen, these ingredients harmonize to create the ultimate comfort food experience.
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
There is something irresistibly comforting about the warm, sweet aroma of cinnamon sugar donuts freshly baked from your kitchen. These soft, fluffy treats are quick and simple to make, with a delightful crispy coating that takes your taste buds straight to donut shop heaven. With a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll be enjoying this classic favorite in no time. Whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these donuts are sure to impress.
Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your egg, milk, and yogurt are at room temperature before starting. This helps the ingredients blend together smoothly, ensuring a uniform texture and preventing clumps in the batter. If you forgot to take them out, you can warm the milk slightly and place the egg in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
- Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can cause the donuts to be dense and tough. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy; this is perfectly fine! The secret to light and airy donuts is gentle mixing.
- Donut Pan Tips: Use a donut pan to get those perfect donut shapes. If you don’t have one, you can easily use a muffin tin, but bake the donuts for a few extra minutes. Make sure the donut pan is lightly greased or use a non-stick spray to prevent sticking. If you don’t have a piping bag, a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off works just as well for an easy, no-mess transfer of the batter.
What to Serve with Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
- Coffee or Hot Chocolate: A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a rich mug of hot chocolate is the perfect companion to these warm cinnamon sugar donuts. The slight bitterness of coffee complements the sweetness of the donuts, while hot chocolate adds a cozy, indulgent touch.
- Fruit Salad: For a lighter and refreshing contrast to the donuts, serve with a vibrant fruit salad. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, pair well with the cinnamon spice, providing a fresh and zesty balance to the richness of the donuts.
- Whipped Cream or Yogurt: If you want to elevate the experience, add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt on the side. The creamy textures will contrast with the crispy exterior of the donuts, adding an extra layer of indulgence to each bite.
FAQ
1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can easily use a muffin tin. Simply bake the batter in muffin cups for about 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also use a mini bundt pan for a similar donut shape.
2. Can I use almond milk or other non-dairy milk for this recipe?
Absolutely! Almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk can all be used in place of regular milk. Just ensure it’s at room temperature for the best results. You can also use dairy-free yogurt if needed.
3. How long can I store the donuts?
These donuts are best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will lose some of their crispiness but will still be delicious.
4. Can I freeze these donuts?
Yes! You can freeze these donuts for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their soft texture.
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
- For the Donuts:
- 1 cup 125g all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1/3 cup 65g packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup 60ml milk
- 1/4 cup 60g yogurt
- 2 tablespoons 28g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- For the Topping:
- 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup 113g; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- Prepare the donut batter: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the egg, brown sugar, milk, and yogurt until smooth. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter will be thick.
- Transfer the batter into the donut pan. To make this step easier, consider using a large zip-top bag. Simply cut a corner of the bag and pipe the batter into the cavities, filling each about two-thirds to three-quarters full.
- Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the donuts are lightly browned. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about two minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack placed over a parchment-lined sheet or baking tray. If there’s any remaining batter, bake the last donuts, and transfer them to the cooling rack. Let the donuts cool for at least 10 minutes before adding the topping.
- Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together. Dip each donut into the melted butter, ensuring full coverage, then roll or dunk them into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating all sides.
- The donuts are best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
Notes
Alternative Preparation: This recipe can be adapted to make muffins. Bake 8-10 muffins at the same temperature for 18-20 minutes, or until they are lightly browned.
Milk Options: Any type of milk, including skim, 1%, 2%, whole, or plant-based milks like almond or coconut, can be used. Buttermilk is a particularly good choice.
Yogurt Choices: Both Greek and regular yogurt, whether low-fat, plain, or vanilla, will work. Using yogurt at room temperature yields the best results.
