Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

If you’ve ever wanted to make a sweet treat that’s both easy and a total crowd-pleaser, you’ve got to try this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe. I absolutely love how these donuts come out soft, flavorful, and perfectly spiced without the fuss of frying. Whether it’s a weekend breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack, these baked delights always hit the spot.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this baked cinnamon sugar donuts recipe come together beautifully to create a dough that’s tender with just the right amount of spice. When shopping, look for fresh spices and full-fat yogurt for the best results.

• All-purpose flour: I always spoon and level my flour for the perfect amount — it really affects texture.
• Baking powder: This helps the donuts rise and become fluffy without that dense feeling.
• Baking soda: Just a little bit to balance the recipe and react with the yogurt.
• Salt: A pinch boosts all those sweet flavors without being salty.
• Ground cinnamon: Use good quality for the best spiced aroma.
• Ground nutmeg: A touch adds warmth and depth — don’t skip it!
• Egg: Brings softness and helps hold the batter together.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor I love.
• Milk: I prefer whole milk for richness, but any milk works.
• Yogurt: This ingredient keeps donuts tender and moist — Greek or regular plain yogurt are both great.
• Unsalted butter: Melting it before mixing adds buttery richness throughout.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and cinnamon’s flavor beautifully.
• Granulated sugar (for topping): Creates that classic crunchy coating.

Variations

I love how adaptable this baked cinnamon sugar donuts recipe is—you can easily tweak it to fit your family’s tastes or dietary needs. Here are some tried-and-true ways I’ve customized this recipe over time:

• Gluten-free version: I swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and it turns out just as soft and tasty.
• Apple cinnamon twist: Sometimes I add a bit of finely diced apple to the batter for an extra juicy bite, especially in fall.
• Vegan adaptation: Using a flax egg and plant-based yogurt works well—just watch the baking time closely.
• Spiced up topping: For a festive touch, adding a pinch of cayenne or pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon sugar mix really perks things up.

How to Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Donut Pan Ready

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Don’t skip this step—it helps the donuts bake evenly. Meanwhile, spray your donut pan generously with non-stick spray to ensure the donuts pop out easily once baked. Having everything prepped ahead means smooth sailing!

Step 2: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients Together

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I always take a moment here to make sure those spices are blended well because that little extra care really shows up in the final flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients Until Smooth

In another bowl, whisk the egg, brown sugar, milk, and yogurt until smooth. Add in the melted butter and vanilla extract, stirring until everything comes together perfectly. If your butter is too hot, let it cool a bit or it could cook the egg—trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way!

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined — don’t overmix! The batter will be thick, and that’s exactly how it should be for soft, cakey donuts. Overworking the batter can lead to dense donuts, a mistake I learned the first time I made these.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

I highly recommend using a large zip-top bag to fill the donut wells—it makes this step so much less messy. Simply spoon the thick batter into the bag, cut a corner off, and pipe into each donut cavity. Fill each ring about 2/3 to 3/4 full to avoid overflow while baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool Your Donuts

Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges turn a beautiful light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Don’t rush this step; letting them cool for about 2 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack is key to preventing breakage. I pop a large piece of parchment underneath to catch any sugary topping mess later on.

Step 7: Dip in Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Now for the fun part! Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Dip each cooled donut first in melted butter, then into the cinnamon sugar mix. It’s that melty butter that makes the sugar stick perfectly and gives you that heavenly crunch on the outside.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the classic cinnamon sugar topping—it’s nostalgic and delicious. However, I’ve experimented by sprinkling a bit of powdered sugar or shredded coconut on top for guests. Fresh berries on the side also add a nice pop of color and tartness.

Side Dishes

Since these donuts are already rich, I love pairing them with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or chai tea for a cozy combo. For brunch, light scrambled eggs or fresh fruit salad balances the sweetness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange these donuts on a tiered cake stand lined with doilies and sprinkle some edible flowers and mint leaves for a fresh look. Another fun idea I tried was dipping half of each donut in dark chocolate before the sugar coating—delicious and elegant!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When storing your baked cinnamon sugar donuts, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for about two days. I find that a glass container with a tight lid is perfect to avoid them drying out.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When I do this, I thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating, which keeps texture intact.

Reheating

To warm up baked donuts, I like to pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat briefly in a toaster oven just until soft. Reheating gently preserves that tender crumb and buttery cinnamon coating without drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This baked cinnamon sugar donuts recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the perfect blend of ease, comfort, and that nostalgic cinnamon sugar sweetness we all crave. I love sharing these with friends and family because they’re foolproof, and honestly, everyone goes a little crazy for them! If you want to whip up a batch of irresistible donuts without the mess or all the oil, give this recipe a try—you’ll be so happy you did.

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