Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

These homemade Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are a game-changer for donut lovers! Soft, tender, and coated in a heavenly cinnamon-sugar mixture, they deliver all the comfort of traditional donuts without the hassle of deep frying. You’ll have warm, bakery-quality treats in under 30 minutes—perfect for weekend brunches or whenever your sweet tooth strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No Frying Needed: Skip the hot oil and messy cleanup! These donuts are baked to perfection in just 10 minutes.
• Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry—no fancy ingredients required.
• Incredibly Versatile: Make them for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat with coffee. They’re also perfect for holiday mornings or when you need to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Warm, Comforting Flavor: The combination of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates that classic donut shop aroma throughout your kitchen.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our donuts, providing structure while keeping them tender.
• Baking powder and baking soda: The dynamic duo that gives these donuts their perfect rise and texture.
• Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and enhance all other flavors.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These warming spices are what make these donuts truly irresistible—they create that classic donut shop flavor.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind everything together for the perfect texture.
• Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a deeper flavor than regular sugar would. The molasses notes complement the spices beautifully.
• Milk: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb. Any type works, but buttermilk adds a subtle tang that’s fantastic.
• Yogurt: The secret ingredient that makes these donuts exceptionally moist and tender.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor that’s unmistakable.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors and adds wonderful aromatic notes.
• For the topping: Melted butter helps the cinnamon-sugar coating stick, creating that irresistible sweet crust.

Variations

These donuts are perfect in their classic form, but here are some fun ways to mix things up:

• Chocolate Lovers: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter and dip in a chocolate glaze instead of cinnamon sugar.
• Apple Spice: Fold in 1/4 cup of finely diced apples and increase the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon for fall-flavored treats.
• Maple Glaze: Skip the cinnamon sugar and instead top with a simple maple glaze made from powdered sugar and pure maple syrup.
• Pumpkin Spice: Replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice and add a tablespoon of pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients.

How to Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously spray a donut pan with non-stick spray. This step is crucial—donuts can stick easily, and we want them to release perfectly.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Taking time to properly mix these ingredients ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and brown sugar until smooth. Add the milk and yogurt, then incorporate the melted butter and vanilla, whisking until everything is fully combined and smooth.

Step 4: Make the Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. The batter will be quite thick—almost like a muffin batter—which is exactly what we want! Be careful not to overmix or your donuts might become tough.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer the batter to a large zip-top bag, cut off one corner, and pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about 2/3 to 3/4 full. This piping method gives you perfect control and clean edges.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges are lightly browned. The donuts should spring back when lightly touched. They bake quickly, so keep an eye on them!

Step 7: Cool Briefly

Let the donuts cool in the pan for just two minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This brief cooling period makes them easier to remove without breaking.

Step 8: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

While the donuts are still warm (but not hot), dip each one in melted butter, making sure all sides are coated. Then immediately roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The warm donuts help the sugar stick better, creating that wonderful sweet crust.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your egg, milk, and yogurt are at room temperature for the best mixing and texture.
• Don’t overfill the pan: Fill your donut cavities only 2/3 to 3/4 full to prevent overflow and ensure proper rising.
• The zip-top bag trick: Using a plastic bag as a piping bag makes filling the donut pan incredibly neat and easy.
• Working in batches: If you only have one donut pan, bake in batches. The second batch often cooks slightly faster, so check them a minute early.
• Double-dip: For an extra indulgent coating, dip the donuts in butter and cinnamon sugar twice. Just let the first coating set for a minute before going in for round two.

How to Serve

These donuts shine brightest when served fresh and warm, but here are some perfect pairings:

Breakfast or Brunch

Serve with fresh fruit, a side of yogurt, and hot coffee or tea for a delightful morning spread.

Dessert

Transform these into a dessert by serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Beverages

These pair beautifully with hot chocolate, coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For adults, try them with dessert wine or a creamy coffee liqueur.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The cinnamon-sugar coating may absorb some moisture, but they’ll still taste delicious.

Freezing

These donuts freeze surprisingly well! Place in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For that just-baked experience, warm frozen or day-old donuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. If they’ve lost some of their sugary coating, you can give them a quick roll in fresh cinnamon sugar after warming.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes! You can use a mini muffin tin to make donut holes instead. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full and reduce the baking time to 7-8 minutes. Alternatively, follow the muffin instructions in the notes for delicious cinnamon sugar muffins.

Why are my donuts dry?
The most common reason is overmixing the batter or overbaking. Remember to mix just until combined and keep a close eye on the baking time. Also, measuring flour incorrectly (packing it into the cup instead of spooning and leveling) can result in using too much flour.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use your favorite plant-based milk, dairy-free yogurt, and a plant-based butter substitute. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.

How do I know when the donuts are done baking?
The donuts are ready when the edges are lightly browned and they spring back when gently touched. If you’re unsure, insert a toothpick into one of the donuts—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Final Thoughts

These Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts bring the joy of a donut shop right to your kitchen, without the fuss of deep frying. The warm spices, tender texture, and sweet cinnamon-sugar coating make them irresistible any time of day. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast, weekend treat, or just because you deserve something delicious, these homemade donuts are sure to become a family favorite. Give them a try—your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!

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