Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes! You can use a mini muffin tin to make donut holes instead. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full and reduce the baking time to 7-8 minutes. You can also make regular-sized muffins, baking for 18-20 minutes. While they won't have the classic donut shape, they'll have all the delicious flavor.

Can I make these donuts ahead of time for a brunch?

Absolutely! I recommend baking them the same day for best freshness, but you can prepare the batter the night before and refrigerate it. Let the batter come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before piping and baking. The cinnamon sugar coating is best added shortly before serving.

My donuts stuck to the pan. What went wrong?

This typically happens when the pan isn't greased well enough. Be generous with your non-stick spray, making sure to coat all surfaces of each cavity. Also, letting the donuts cool for 2-3 minutes in the pan before removing helps them set enough to release cleanly.

Can I use different spices in the batter?

Definitely! While cinnamon and nutmeg give that classic donut shop flavor, you can experiment with spices like cardamom, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice for different flavor profiles. Just keep the total amount of spices about the same (3/4 teaspoon total) so the flavor isn't overwhelming.

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Name: Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1/3 cup (65g) packed light brown sugar; 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (skim, 1%, 2%, whole, almond, soy, or coconut; room temperature preferred); 1/4 cup (60g) yogurt (nonfat, low-fat, plain, vanilla, Greek, or regular; room temperature preferred); 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted

These Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are simply divine – pillowy soft on the inside with that irresistible crunchy, sweet cinnamon coating that makes your taste buds dance. Ready in just 45 minutes from start to finish, they’re the perfect weekend breakfast treat that tastes like they came from a bakery but are astonishingly simple to make at home. No frying, no mess – just pure donut perfection!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Deep Fryer Needed: Forget about dealing with hot oil and greasy cleanup. These donuts are baked, not fried, making them easier and less intimidating to prepare.
Quick Preparation: The batter comes together in minutes, and they bake in just 10 minutes. You’ll have warm, fresh donuts ready before your coffee’s finished brewing!
Bakery-Quality Results: These donuts have that perfect texture – tender inside with that classic cinnamon sugar coating that makes traditional donuts so irresistible.
Family-Friendly Activity: Kids love helping dunk these donuts in butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar. It’s a fun weekend baking project everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour: The foundation of our donuts, providing structure while keeping them tender.
Baking powder and baking soda: Our leavening agents that give these donuts their perfect rise and fluffy texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These warm spices are what give the donuts that classic, cozy flavor. Don’t skip the nutmeg – it’s the secret to that authentic donut shop taste!
Egg: Provides structure and richness to the batter.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper flavor than regular sugar would. The molasses notes complement the spices beautifully.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb. Any type works fine here!
Yogurt: The secret to incredibly moist donuts. It adds tanginess that balances the sweetness.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor to both the donut batter and that irresistible coating.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
Granulated sugar and cinnamon (for coating): Creates that classic sweet, spiced crust that makes cinnamon sugar donuts so addictive.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious ways to customize these donuts:

Chocolate Glaze: Skip the cinnamon sugar coating and dip the tops in a simple chocolate glaze made from melted chocolate chips and a splash of heavy cream.
Flavor Boosters: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom or ginger to the batter for an interesting flavor twist.
Citrus Zest: Add lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright, fresh flavor that pairs beautifully with the warm spices.
Powdered Sugar: For a simpler finish, just dust with powdered sugar instead of the cinnamon-sugar coating.

How to Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Give your donut pan a good coating of non-stick spray to ensure easy removal after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. This even distribution ensures every bite has that perfect spice flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and brown sugar until smooth. Add the milk and yogurt, mixing until well combined. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract until you have a smooth, cohesive mixture.

Step 4: Create Your Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. The batter will be quite thick – this is exactly what you want! Resist the urge to overmix, as this could make your donuts tough.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer the thick batter to a large zip-top bag, snip off one corner, and pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about 2/3 to 3/4 full. This piping method gives you much more control than trying to spoon the thick batter.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden brown and the tops spring back when lightly touched. Let them cool in the pan for about 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 7: Create the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donuts are cooling (but still warm), mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Dip each donut in melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your egg, milk, and yogurt are at room temperature for the best texture and rise.
Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your donuts tough.
Piping Bag Trick: No piping bag? A zip-top bag works perfectly! Just fill it with batter, snip off a corner, and pipe away.
Double Dipping: For an extra indulgent treat, let the donuts cool slightly after the first cinnamon sugar coating, then dip in butter and roll in cinnamon sugar again for an extra-thick coating.
Even Filling: Try to fill each donut cavity with the same amount of batter for even baking.

How to Serve

These donuts are absolute perfection when served still slightly warm, when the contrast between the soft interior and the sweet, crunchy coating is at its peak. Here are some serving ideas:

Perfect Pairings:

Serve with hot coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk for the classic donut experience.
For brunch, pair with fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
Create a donut board with these cinnamon sugar donuts alongside other flavors for a spectacular brunch centerpiece.

Special Occasions:

Stack them on a cake stand for birthday breakfasts or holiday mornings.
Package individual donuts in wax paper for bake sales or gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The cinnamon sugar coating may absorb moisture and lose some crunch over time, but they’ll still taste delicious!

Freezing

You can freeze these donuts for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. For best results, freeze them before adding the cinnamon sugar coating.

Reheating

To revive frozen or day-old donuts, warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. For donuts that have lost their crunchy coating, you can refresh them with a quick roll in fresh cinnamon sugar after warming.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes! You can use a mini muffin tin to make donut holes instead. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full and reduce the baking time to 7-8 minutes. You can also make regular-sized muffins, baking for 18-20 minutes. While they won’t have the classic donut shape, they’ll have all the delicious flavor.
Can I make these donuts ahead of time for a brunch?

Absolutely! I recommend baking them the same day for best freshness, but you can prepare the batter the night before and refrigerate it. Let the batter come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before piping and baking. The cinnamon sugar coating is best added shortly before serving.
My donuts stuck to the pan. What went wrong?

This typically happens when the pan isn’t greased well enough. Be generous with your non-stick spray, making sure to coat all surfaces of each cavity. Also, letting the donuts cool for 2-3 minutes in the pan before removing helps them set enough to release cleanly.
Can I use different spices in the batter?

Definitely! While cinnamon and nutmeg give that classic donut shop flavor, you can experiment with spices like cardamom, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice for different flavor profiles. Just keep the total amount of spices about the same (3/4 teaspoon total) so the flavor isn’t overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about these Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – they bring the joy of a donut shop treat right to your kitchen, without any of the fuss. Whether you’re making them for a special weekend breakfast, a holiday morning, or just because you deserve a homemade treat, these donuts are guaranteed to bring smiles. The best part? You likely have all the ingredients in your pantry right now. So what are you waiting for? It’s donut time!