Name: Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients: 2 cups All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our donuts, all-purpose flour provides the structure and chewiness we crave. Make sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife, avoiding scooping directly from the bag which can lead to too much flour and denser donuts. For a slightly lighter texture, you can use cake flour, but all-purpose works wonderfully and is readily available.; ½ cup Granulated Sugar: Sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to the donut’s tender texture and golden-brown crust. Granulated sugar is ideal for this recipe as it dissolves easily and provides the perfect level of sweetness without being overpowering.; 2 teaspoons Baking Powder: This is the magic ingredient that gives our donuts their light and airy rise. Baking powder is a leavening agent that creates air bubbles in the batter, resulting in fluffy, cake-like donuts rather than dense, flat ones. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best results; old baking powder may lose its potency.; ½ teaspoon Salt: Salt might seem insignificant in a sweet recipe, but it plays a vital role in enhancing the flavors of all the other ingredients. It balances the sweetness and prevents the donuts from tasting flat or one-dimensional. Table salt or fine sea salt works best here.; 1 cup Milk: Milk adds moisture to the batter, contributing to the donut’s tenderness and keeping them from being dry. Whole milk will provide the richest flavor, but 2% milk or even non-dairy milk alternatives like almond milk or oat milk can also be used with slight variations in richness.; 2 Large Eggs: Eggs are essential for binding the ingredients together, adding richness, and contributing to the structure of the donuts. They also help create a slightly chewy texture and a beautiful golden color. Use large eggs at room temperature for best incorporation into the batter.; 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted: Melted butter adds flavor, richness, and moisture to the donuts. Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the recipe precisely. Make sure the butter is melted and slightly cooled before adding it to the batter to avoid cooking the eggs.; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the donuts, adding a warm, aromatic note that complements the cinnamon and sugar beautifully. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla can be used in a pinch.; ½ cup Granulated Sugar: We’ll use granulated sugar again for the coating, creating that classic sweet crunch.; 2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is the star of the show in this coating, providing warmth, spice, and that signature cinnamon sugar flavor. Use good quality ground cinnamon for the best aroma and taste. Ceylon cinnamon is known for its delicate and sweet flavor, while Cassia cinnamon has a bolder, spicier profile – choose your preference!; 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted (for brushing): Melted butter acts as the “glue” for the cinnamon sugar coating, helping it adhere beautifully to the warm donuts. It also adds a touch of richness and prevents the coating from becoming too dry.

Ingredients

Scale

To create these delectable cinnamon sugar donuts, you’ll need a collection of pantry staples and just a few minutes of preparation. Let’s break down each ingredient and why it plays a crucial role in achieving donut perfection:

For the Donuts:

2 cups All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our donuts, all-purpose flour provides the structure and chewiness we crave. Make sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife, avoiding scooping directly from the bag which can lead to too much flour and denser donuts. For a slightly lighter texture, you can use cake flour, but all-purpose works wonderfully and is readily available.
½ cup Granulated Sugar: Sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to the donut’s tender texture and golden-brown crust. Granulated sugar is ideal for this recipe as it dissolves easily and provides the perfect level of sweetness without being overpowering.
2 teaspoons Baking Powder: This is the magic ingredient that gives our donuts their light and airy rise. Baking powder is a leavening agent that creates air bubbles in the batter, resulting in fluffy, cake-like donuts rather than dense, flat ones. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best results; old baking powder may lose its potency.
½ teaspoon Salt: Salt might seem insignificant in a sweet recipe, but it plays a vital role in enhancing the flavors of all the other ingredients. It balances the sweetness and prevents the donuts from tasting flat or one-dimensional. Table salt or fine sea salt works best here.
1 cup Milk: Milk adds moisture to the batter, contributing to the donut’s tenderness and keeping them from being dry. Whole milk will provide the richest flavor, but 2% milk or even non-dairy milk alternatives like almond milk or oat milk can also be used with slight variations in richness.
2 Large Eggs: Eggs are essential for binding the ingredients together, adding richness, and contributing to the structure of the donuts. They also help create a slightly chewy texture and a beautiful golden color. Use large eggs at room temperature for best incorporation into the batter.
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted: Melted butter adds flavor, richness, and moisture to the donuts. Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the recipe precisely. Make sure the butter is melted and slightly cooled before adding it to the batter to avoid cooking the eggs.
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the donuts, adding a warm, aromatic note that complements the cinnamon and sugar beautifully. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla can be used in a pinch.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

½ cup Granulated Sugar: We’ll use granulated sugar again for the coating, creating that classic sweet crunch.
2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is the star of the show in this coating, providing warmth, spice, and that signature cinnamon sugar flavor. Use good quality ground cinnamon for the best aroma and taste. Ceylon cinnamon is known for its delicate and sweet flavor, while Cassia cinnamon has a bolder, spicier profile – choose your preference!
2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted (for brushing): Melted butter acts as the “glue” for the cinnamon sugar coating, helping it adhere beautifully to the warm donuts. It also adds a touch of richness and prevents the coating from becoming too dry.

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Instructions

Now that we have all our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the simple steps to create these irresistible cinnamon sugar donuts. Follow these instructions carefully for donut success:

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature ensures the donuts bake evenly and achieve a golden-brown color without drying out too quickly.
Grease a donut pan thoroughly with cooking spray. A non-stick donut pan is highly recommended for easy donut release. If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use muffin tins, although the shape will be different. Alternatively, you can bake them as drop biscuits on a baking sheet, but they won’t have the classic donut hole.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing clumps of baking powder or salt in the batter. This step is crucial for consistent leavening and flavor throughout the donuts.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted and slightly cooled butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the eggs are well combined and the mixture is smooth. Ensuring the butter is slightly cooled prevents it from cooking the eggs when they are mixed together.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense donuts. A few streaks of flour are okay at this stage.

Step 5: Fill Donut Pan

Transfer the donut batter into a piping bag or a large zip-top bag. If using a zip-top bag, snip off a corner to create a piping opening.
Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Avoid overfilling, as the donuts will rise and may overflow during baking. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can carefully spoon the batter into the donut pan, but piping allows for more even and less messy filling.

Step 6: Bake the Donuts

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The donuts should spring back lightly when gently touched.

Step 7: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donuts are baking, prepare the cinnamon sugar coating. In a shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together the ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
Melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small bowl or in the microwave. This melted butter will be used to brush the warm donuts before coating them in cinnamon sugar.

Step 8: Coat the Warm Donuts

Once the donuts are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before handling.
Gently remove the donuts from the donut pan. A thin spatula or knife can help loosen them if needed. Be careful not to break them as they are still delicate when warm.
While the donuts are still warm, brush each donut generously with melted butter using a pastry brush. Ensure all sides are coated for maximum cinnamon sugar adhesion.
Immediately dredge each buttered donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring all sides are fully coated. Gently press the donut into the cinnamon sugar to help it stick.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve the cinnamon sugar donuts immediately while they are warm and fresh for the best taste and texture. They are also delicious at room temperature and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days, although they are best enjoyed fresh.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 300
Sugar: 25
Sodium: 200
Fat: 15
Saturated Fat: 9
Carbohydrates: 40
Protein: 4
Cholesterol: 60