Warm, delicious, and utterly indulgent baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are the perfect sweet treats to brighten any day! Imagine enjoying these delightful donuts with a hot cup of coffee while catching up on your favorite social media feeds on a lazy Sunday morning. This easy recipe brings the joy of homemade donuts right to your kitchen.
Donuts are truly amazing culinary creations. Think of fluffy, buttery, sugary pillows of pure yummy goodness. They’re essentially dessert disguised as breakfast, and who can resist that?
These are the kinds of sweet, special bites that my family adores but we don’t dare indulge in on a regular basis. We reserve them for those once-in-a-while weekend breakfast treats that we can all enjoy together! The aroma of freshly baked donuts filling the house is enough to bring everyone to the kitchen, eager to grab a warm donut and start the day with a smile.
And believe it or not, donuts are SO easy to make at home! My kids absolutely love it when we pull out the donut pan and spend a cozy Sunday morning baking up these little treasures. It’s a fantastic way to involve them in the kitchen and create lasting memories together. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about enjoying a donut you made from scratch.
While I do enjoy making my healthier (but still SUPER tasty!) Paleo, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free donuts, sometimes a girl’s just gotta have A REAL DONUT. Ya know? That’s where my Cinnamon Sugar Donuts come in! These donuts are all about indulging in the classic flavors and textures that make donuts so irresistible. They’re a simple pleasure that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Real sugar. All-purpose flour. Three different glazes to choose from. Sugar on sugar. This recipe is all about indulgence! These donuts are a celebration of classic baking ingredients and flavors. Each bite is a little piece of heaven, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
This recipe is baked versus fried, so it’s a little healthier than most donut recipes. By baking them, you avoid the added oils and fats that come with frying, making them a slightly lighter option without sacrificing any of the delicious flavors.
If you’re looking for an AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS, crowd-pleasing donut recipe to treat your friends and family – this is IT! Whether it’s a special occasion or just a weekend treat, these donuts are guaranteed to be a hit. The combination of warm cinnamon, sweet sugar, and a perfectly baked dough is simply irresistible.
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: The Ultimate Homemade Treat
This donut recipe is super simple, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. With just a few basic ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can create bakery-quality donuts right in your own kitchen.
I’ve adapted an old Food Network recipe, tweaked it over the years, and this is the recipe my family loves, loves, LOVES. It’s become a cherished tradition in our home, and I’m excited to share it with you. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to customize the glazes and toppings to your liking. But trust me, the classic cinnamon sugar combination is a timeless favorite.
If you don’t yet own a donut pan or two, I highly recommend getting one. They’re usually just around $10-15 each, and they last forever. A good donut pan is essential for achieving that perfect donut shape. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile and can be used for making mini cakes, muffins, and other fun treats.
A good cooling rack and wax paper (to catch glaze drips) are also must-haves – not just for this recipe, but for baking in general. These tools make the glazing process much easier and help to keep your kitchen clean. Plus, a cooling rack allows the donuts to cool evenly and prevents them from becoming soggy.
If you have kids, they can help you with several steps in the donut-making process:
- Measuring ingredients
- Mixing ingredients
- Filling the donut pan
- Glazing the donuts
And of course, you will have no problem getting your kids to help you EAT these beautiful donuts! It’s a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family to enjoy together.
Glaze It Up! Three Delicious Topping Options
For these cinnamon sugar donuts, I’m including three different toppings/glazes you can make. Each glaze offers a unique flavor profile, allowing you to customize your donuts to your preferences. From the classic cinnamon sugar to the rich chocolate and creamy vanilla, there’s something for everyone to love.
There’s the classic Cinnamon Sugar Glaze. This is my son’s absolute favorite! It’s a simple yet incredibly satisfying combination that perfectly complements the warm, spiced flavor of the donuts.
The Classic Chocolate Glaze is my daughter’s favorite. Rich, decadent, and oh-so-delicious, this glaze is perfect for chocolate lovers. It adds a layer of indulgence that takes these donuts to the next level.
Then there’s my absolute favorite: Classic Vanilla Glaze. Made with confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) and butter, this glaze elevates the bare cinnamon sugar donut to a whole new, extra special level. It’s creamy, sweet, and adds a touch of elegance to these simple donuts.
If you’re looking for a very special weekend or holiday breakfast or brunch, this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts recipe is definitely for you. It’s a delightful way to start the day and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
I hope you love it as much as we do! Baking is more than just following a recipe; it’s about creating something special that brings joy to others. These donuts are a perfect example of that.
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to bake your own batch of warm, delicious cinnamon sugar donuts? This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through each step, from preparing the batter to glazing the finished donuts. Let’s get started!
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 1/4 cups almond milk*
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Glaze
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Classic Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Glaze
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
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Grease two donut pans thoroughly.
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In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
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Combine the wet mixture with the dry mixture until just blended. Be careful not to overmix.
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Fill each of the donut rings in the donut pans about 3/4 of the way full, leaving a bit of room at the top.
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Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 15-17 minutes. The edges and tops will be slightly golden brown. You can also use a toothpick test – if it comes out clean, the donuts are done. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before tapping them out of the donut pan and onto a cooling rack.
Make the Cinnamon Sugar Glaze
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Place the butter in a microwaveable bowl wider than a donut. Microwave until melted, starting at 30 seconds, then returning for 10 more seconds at a time until completely melted.
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In another large bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar until well combined.
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Working one at a time, dip each donut into the melted butter, then immediately into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow the glazed donuts to set on a baking rack.
Make the Classic Vanilla Glaze
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In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. You can use almond milk, 2% milk, or whole milk, depending on your preference. Dip the donuts into the glaze, flipping to glaze both sides. Place on a cooling rack to allow the glaze to harden for a few minutes before enjoying.
Make the Chocolate Glaze
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Place the chocolate chips into a large microwaveable bowl and microwave until melted and smooth. Start at 30 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 10-15 seconds and repeat until melted and smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Stir in the melted butter and corn syrup until well blended and smooth.
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Dip the donuts into the chocolate glaze, place them on a cooling rack, and allow the glaze to harden before eating.
Notes
*I prefer using almond milk, but you can use 2% or whole milk. Feel free to use your preferred milk option.
What glaze/topping would you like to use with these donuts? Let me know in the comments below! I love hearing about your baking adventures and seeing your creative variations.
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