Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts (Printable Version)
Soft baked donuts coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 3/4 cup milk, room temperature
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Sugar Coating
10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
12 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a standard donut pan thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray or melted butter, ensuring all surfaces are coated for easy release.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly distributed and well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix as this will result in dense donuts.
05 - Transfer batter into a piping bag or use a spoon to distribute evenly into the prepared donut pan. Fill each cavity approximately three-quarters full to allow for rising during baking.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until donuts are lightly golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain moisture.
07 - Let donuts rest in the pan for 3 minutes to set slightly, then carefully remove and transfer to a wire cooling rack. They should still be warm for coating.
08 - While donuts are baking, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl, mixing thoroughly to create an even coating blend.
09 - Brush each warm donut lightly with melted butter using a pastry brush, then immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete coverage on all sides.
10 - Serve immediately while warm for best flavor, or allow to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get that warm donut shop experience without deep frying or special equipment beyond a basic pan
- The cinnamon sugar coating creates this perfect crackly crunch that gives way to impossibly soft cake inside
02 -
- Warm donuts catch the cinnamon sugar coating so much better than cooled ones
- Overfilling the pan creates ugly overflow and weird shapes so stick to three quarters full
03 -
- Use a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off to pipe batter cleanly into the pan
- The donuts are done when the tops spring back lightly when touched