Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
These baked cinnamon sugar donuts are soft, fluffy, and packed with a warm cinnamon flavor. Coated in a crunchy cinnamon-sugar mixture, they are perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet treat. Unlike fried donuts, this version is healthier, baked to perfection, and easy to make using simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional for extra warmth)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard donut pan lightly with cooking spray or butter.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and optional nutmeg.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Make the Batter:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure fluffy donuts.
Fill the Donut Pan:
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off). Pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
Bake:
- Bake the donuts for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Donuts:
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Brush the donuts lightly with melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve warm for the best texture or store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.