Description
These Best Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon, then coated in a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture. Baked instead of fried, they offer a lighter yet indulgently sweet treat that’s easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Donut Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk (whole milk or almond milk)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease your donut pan thoroughly with non-stick spray or butter to ensure the donuts do not stick after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined for an even texture and flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, gently stirring with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender and fluffy.
- Fill Donut Pan: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or use a spoon to fill each cavity of the donut pan about three-quarters full. Smooth the tops to create an even surface if needed.
- Bake Donuts: Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Brush the warm donuts with melted butter, then roll each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated, enhancing their sweetness and providing a crispy, flavorful exterior.
Notes
- Use a non-stick donut pan for best results, or generously grease your pan to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy; a few lumps are okay.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a spoon works fine to fill the donut cavities.
- These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- You can substitute whole milk with almond milk to make a dairy-free version.
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can increase cinnamon in both the batter and coating slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, baked donut recipe, easy breakfast donuts, cinnamon donuts
