Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe: Easy Homemade Fluffy Treats

Name: cinnamon sugar donuts Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 Donuts
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature; 2 large eggs; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

There’s something truly magical about the smell of cinnamon sugar donuts wafting through your kitchen on a lazy Saturday morning. Growing up, the local donut shop was a weekend ritual, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of creating these pillowy, golden treats from scratch in your own home. These cinnamon sugar donuts capture all the nostalgic comfort of childhood favorites while being surprisingly simple to master.

What makes this recipe special isn’t just the incredible taste, it’s the accessibility. Using basic ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, you can create bakery-quality donuts without specialized equipment or complicated techniques. The result is a batch of tender, cake-style donuts with a delicate crumb and that irresistible coating of warm cinnamon and sugar that clings to every bite. Whether you’re treating your family to a weekend breakfast surprise or bringing something homemade to share with neighbors, these donuts deliver pure joy in every golden ring.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Substitution Ideas:

Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend
Dairy-free: Substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use vegan butter
Vegan: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and replace eggs with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
Lower sugar: Reduce sugar to 1/2 cup and use a sugar substitute in the coating

Time & Planning

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12-15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Make-Ahead Tips:

The dry ingredients can be whisked together the night before and stored in an airtight container. The batter comes together quickly, so you can have fresh donuts ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

Time-Saving Strategy:

While your donuts are baking, prepare your cinnamon sugar coating and melt the butter for coating. This way, you can coat the donuts while they’re still warm for maximum sugar adherence.

How to Make It

1. Prepare Your Kitchen

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease two 6-cup donut pans with butter or non-stick cooking spray. If you don’t have donut pans, you can use a muffin tin for donut holes or mini muffins instead.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spices throughout your donuts.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure your melted butter isn’t too hot, or it might scramble the eggs.

4. Create the Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a rubber spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix, a few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing leads to tough, dense donuts.

5. Fill the Pans

Transfer the batter to a piping bag or large zip-top bag with one corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each about 2/3 full. This prevents overflow while ensuring full, rounded donuts.

6. Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly when touched and the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. Don’t overbake, as this will result in dry donuts.

7. Prepare the Coating

While donuts bake, mix the cinnamon and sugar for coating in a shallow bowl. Melt the butter for coating in another shallow bowl.

8. Coat and Serve

Let donuts cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. While still warm, dip each donut first in melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely coated.

cinnamon sugar donuts — Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe: Easy Homemade Fluffy Treats 7

Nutrition Overview

Each donut contains approximately 280 calories, with moderate amounts of carbohydrates and sugar from the coating. These treats provide some protein from the eggs and milk, along with small amounts of calcium and iron. While these are definitely an indulgent treat rather than a health food, they can certainly be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.

Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes. Using substitutions like plant-based milk or reducing sugar will alter the nutritional profile accordingly.

Healthier Variations

For a lighter version, try using unsweetened applesauce in place of half the butter, and reduce the sugar in the coating to 1/3 cup. You can also experiment with alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, though this may slightly change the texture and flavor profile.

A protein boost can be added by substituting 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour with protein powder, though this will create a slightly denser texture. For added nutrition, try incorporating a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into the dry ingredients.

Serving Ideas

These cinnamon sugar donuts are perfect alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea. They make an excellent addition to brunch spreads, bake sale contributions, or special breakfast treats for holidays and celebrations.

Try serving them with fresh berries and whipped cream for an elevated dessert presentation. They also pair beautifully with warm apple cider in the fall or cold milk for kids’ snacks.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Dense, heavy donuts: This usually results from overmixing the batter. Mix just until ingredients are combined, lumps are okay.

Donuts sticking to the pan: Make sure to grease your pans thoroughly, including all the curves and crevices of the donut shape.

Dry donuts: Overbaking is the culprit here. Check donuts at 12 minutes and remove as soon as they spring back when lightly touched.

Coating won’t stick: The donuts need to be warm for the butter and cinnamon sugar to adhere properly. Coat them within 5 minutes of removing from the oven.

Storage & Reheating

Fresh donuts are best enjoyed the day they’re made, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The coating may lose some of its crispness over time, but the donuts will still taste delicious.

To refresh day-old donuts, warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes, then re-roll in cinnamon sugar if desired. For longer storage, freeze uncoated donuts for up to 3 months, then thaw and coat when ready to serve.

Bringing Sweetness Home

These homemade cinnamon sugar donuts prove that the best treats often come from the simplest ingredients and techniques. With their tender crumb, warm spices, and irresistible coating, they’re sure to become a beloved addition to your baking repertoire. The joy of creating something so delicious and comforting from scratch is matched only by the smiles you’ll see when you share them with others.

Don’t be surprised if these become a regular weekend tradition in your home, they’re that good and that easy to make.

For more Recipes follow me in Pinterest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Absolutely! Use a muffin tin to make donut holes or mini muffins. You can also pipe rings of batter onto parchment-lined baking sheets, though they won’t have the traditional donut shape.

How do I know when the donuts are perfectly baked?

Look for tops that spring back when lightly touched and edges that are just beginning to turn golden. They should pull away slightly from the sides of the pan.

Can I freeze the batter for later use?

It’s best to bake the donuts fresh rather than freezing the batter, as the leavening agents work best when used immediately. However, you can freeze baked, uncoated donuts for up to 3 months.

What’s the best way to get an even cinnamon sugar coating?

Make sure your donuts are still warm when coating, and don’t skip the melted butter step, it helps the cinnamon sugar stick evenly all around the donut.

Can I add other flavors to this basic recipe?

Definitely! Try adding lemon zest, orange zest, or different spice combinations like nutmeg or cardamom to the batter. You can also experiment with different coatings like powdered sugar or chocolate glaze.

Why did my donuts come out flat instead of fluffy?

Check that your baking powder is fresh (replace every 6 months), don’t overmix the batter, and make sure your oven temperature is accurate with an oven thermometer.