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Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

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These baked cinnamon sugar donuts are soft, moist and delicious. They're incredibly quick and easy to make, too!

A stack of cinnamon sugar donuts on parchment paper next to a cinnamon stick.

These cinnamon donuts are great for breakfast, or any time of the day, actually.

What I love the most about these baked cinnamon donuts is that they're so quick and easy to make!

I adapted this cinnamon donut recipe from Ina Garten and my family loves it! I make them quite often.

These baked donuts are so delicious and cinnamony! You should definitely give them a try, especially if you like cinnamon!😋

Love cinnamon desserts? Try my Easy Cinnamon Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting or my Classic Cinnamon Rolls .

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Why you'll love this easy baked donuts recipe:

  • It's one of the simplest recipes you'll find. This baked donut recipe is super easy, it's practically foolproof.
  • These cinnamon sugared donuts are baked, not fried. That means they're not only easier to make, but they're much lighter and healthier, too.
  • There's no yeast. This recipe is for cinnamon sugar cake donuts which don't have yeast. So, there's no kneading or waiting for the dough to rise.
  • They're perfectly spiced. These cinnamon sugar baked donuts have just the right amount of cinnamon and spices.
  • They taste amazing! To me, they taste like they came from a bakery.

What do these baked cinnamon donuts taste like?

These cinnamon baked donuts are really soft and moist. They have a yummy cinnamon flavor and a nice crunch from the sugar coating.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CINNAMON SUGAR DONUTS BAKED

Ingredients for cinnamon sugar donuts

Labeled ingredients for cinnamon sugar donuts.
  • Flour: I use all purpose flour.
  • Baking Powder: This will give the donuts some lift.
  • Butter: I use unsalted butter melted. You can use salted butter, too, if you prefer.
  • Sugar & Salt: I use granulated sugar for the donuts, but you could also use light brown sugar. For the cinnamon sugar topping, I use granulated sugar and some ground cinnamon. A little bit of salt brings all the flavors together.
  • Spices: I use a combination of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
  • Egg: I use a medium egg.
  • Milk: I use 2%, but you could use whole milk, too. I also think buttermilk would be nice as well. You can also use dairy free milk.
  • Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

Cinnamon sugar donuts on a plate full of cinnamon sugar and cinnamon sticks on a white surface.

Equipment you'll need

  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • 2 6 ct. donut pans (I use silicone pans)

TOP TIP

If you don't have a donut pan, you can easily use a muffin or cupcake pan! They won't have the hole in the middle, but they'll still taste great!

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON SUGAR DONUTS WITHOUT YEAST

Step by step Instructions

Sifting flour into a mixing bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon together.

Whisking flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

Then add the nutmeg, sugar and salt and whisk to combine.

A mixing bowl with cinnamon sugar donut batter.

In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla. Then pour all the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Whisking donut batter in a mixing bowl.

Whisk together until just combined. Don't overmix it. It's OK if you see a few small lumps.

A silicone donut mold filled with donut batter.

Then spoon the batter into the donut cavities (about ¾ full) and bake the donuts.

A white dish with cinnamon sugar and a spoon.

Make the cinnamon sugar mixture for the topping. Just stir together the sugar and the ground cinnamon.

A hand dipping a cinnamon donut into a bowl with melted butter.

Quickly dunk the donuts in the melted butter on both sides. For less sweet donuts, you can dunk them on one side only.

A hand dipping a cinnamon donut into a dish with cinnamon sugar.

Finally, dip the donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

TOP TIP

Brush the melted butter on the donuts with a pastry brush instead of dipping them with your hands. It's a lot less messier that way!

A white plate with four cinnamon sugar donuts.

Recipe Notes

Storage

These cinnamon sugar doughnuts taste best when served immediately. However, you can store them in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to about 2-3 days.

A close up of a hand holding a bitten cinnamon sugar donut.

VARIATIONS

For unique flavors, you can add some vanilla sugar lemon sugar, or orange sugar to the to the topping mixture.

Did you know there are donut hole pans? You can use this recipe to make cinnamon sugar donut holes with that pan!

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

  • Measure the ingredients properly, particularly the flour. A digital scale is highly recommended for best results.
  • Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature.
  • Don't overmix the batter because it could make the donuts a bit dense.
  • Leave the baked donuts in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Make sure not to soak the donuts in the butter because they'll get soggy. You just want to dip them quickly.

FAQs

Can you freeze cinnamon sugar donuts?

Yes! I freeze them uncoated. Just put them in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers and freeze them for about a month. To thaw, just place them in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw them at room temperature for a couple of hours. Then, dip them in melted butter and then coat them with the cinnamon sugar.

Would brown sugar and cinnamon taste good together?

Absolutely! Brown sugar pairs really well with cinnamon. You can make this recipe with brown sugar, if you prefer.

Are baked donuts healthier than fried?

Fried donuts absorb a lot of oil making them higher in calories. These baked donuts are quickly dunked in melted butter and not soaked, so they are healthier than fried donuts.

Happy baking!

RELATED RECIPES

Looking for other recipes with cinnamon? Try these:

Let me know how these cinnamon sugar donuts turn out for you in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you!

Recipe

A stack of cinnamon sugar donuts on parchment paper next to a cinnamon stick.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

These baked cinnamon sugar donuts are soft, moist and delicious. They're incredibly quick and easy to make, too!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate Save
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Voula

Ingredients

For the donuts

  • 2 cups (250g) all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup (150g) sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium egg, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (250ml) milk, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

For the topping

  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (100g) sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Before You Start:

For best results, please read through the full post before beginning the recipe.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C.
  • Grease the donut pans really well (I use butter). Set them aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon together. Then add the nutmeg, sugar and salt and whisk together to combine.
  • In another small bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg until they're all combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk together until just combined. Don't overmix it. It's OK if you see a few small lumps in the batter.
  • Spoon the batter into the donut cavities, about ¾ full.
  • Bake the donuts for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in one comes out clean.
  • Let the donuts cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before removing them . Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the topping

  • Stir together the sugar and the ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Quickly dunk the donuts in the melted butter on both sides. For less sweet donuts, you can dunk them on one side only. Alternatively, use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter on them. Don't soak the donuts in the butter too long because they'll get soggy.
  • Dip the donuts in the cinnamon mixture.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • These cinnamon sugar donuts taste best when served immediately. However, you can store them in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to about 2-3 days.
 
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze these baked donuts, too. Just put them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze them for up to about a month. To thaw them, just place them in the refrigerator overnight.
Picture Tutorial & Tips
I have a detailed picture tutorial in my post to help you out with each step of the recipe as well as lots of tips to ensure success.
Baking Measurements
I have used weight measurements for all the recipes on this website. Even though I have also included American volume measurements for convenience, I highly recommend using a digital kitchen scale to weigh all ingredients for the most accurate measurements. Digital kitchen scales are more precise than cups, which is so important in baking, and they give the most accurate, consistent results. Happy baking!
Recipe slightly adapted from Ina Garten.
©Pastry Wishes
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below & tag me on Instagram @pastry.wishes !

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katrin

    5 stars
    I really like this recipe! So easy, so delicious! Great breakfast for my kids.

    Reply

    • Voula

      Yay! ? I'm so glad you liked them! Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply

  2. Cyndy

    5 stars
    My question is about the silicone donut pans. I have silicone and I think it takes longer to bake in them than in metal pans. What's your opinion, please?

    Reply

    • Voula

      Hi, Cyndy! I think heat is distributed differently with silicone so I think you're right! The important thing is to use a toothpick to test them. Hope this helps!

      Reply

      • Loraine

        I only have large eggs, could I still use it or do have to go buy medium size eggs? I also don't have a donut pan, is there another way to bake them? Could I use a different kind of pan?

        Reply

        • Voula

          Hi! Yes, large eggs will work just fine. If you don't have a donut pan, you can use a regular muffin tin. Just roll small pieces of aluminum foil into firm cylinders and place one in the center of each greased muffin cup to create the donut hole. Then spoon the batter around the foil and bake as directed. Hope that helps, and I'd love to hear how they turn out! 😊

          Reply

          • Loraine

            Thank you 😊

          • Voula

            My pleasure! 😊

5 from 2 votes

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