Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

A batch of warm Cinnamon Sugar Donuts is comfort food at its best. These baked donuts have a tender, cake-like crumb with a lightly spiced interior and a crisp, buttery cinnamon-sugar coating. The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg fills the kitchen as they bake, making them perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or an afternoon treat with coffee. They are simple to make with pantry-friendly ingredients and come together quickly in a donut pan. If you enjoy cozy spice flavors, you might also like my take on apple cinnamon muffins for another spiced morning treat.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour (125g), for structure and a tender crumb.
1 teaspoon baking powder, to help the donuts rise.
1/4 teaspoon baking soda, for lightness and lift.
1/2 teaspoon salt, to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for warm spice in the batter.
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, for a subtle, aromatic note.
1 large egg, at room temperature, to bind and add richness.
1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (65g), for moisture and caramel flavor.
1/4 cup milk, at room temperature (60g/ml), to loosen the batter.
1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature (60g), for tang and tenderness.
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28g), for richness in the batter.
1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, for depth of flavor.
1 cup granulated sugar (200g), for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, to mix with the coating sugar.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113g), for dipping and helping the coating stick.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease donut pan(s) with nonstick spray. Lightly greasing ensures easy release.
Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Set aside.
Combine wet ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, brown sugar, milk, and sour cream until smooth. Whisk in the 2 Tablespoons melted butter and vanilla.
Combine batter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined; do not overmix. The batter will be thick.
Fill the pan. Spoon the batter into the donut cavities or transfer it to a zip-top bag, cut a corner, and pipe it into the cavities, filling each about halfway. Filling halfway gives room for rise without overflow.
Bake. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Test by pressing the top of a donut; if it springs back, they are done.
Cool and repeat. Cool donuts in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Grease the pan again and bake the remaining batter.
Prepare the topping. To prepare the topping, combine the 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Coat the donuts. Dip donuts in the 1/2 cup melted butter, then dunk in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat all sides.
Serve. Serve shortly after coating for the best texture. For easy flavor inspiration using brown butter, take a look at this brown butter maple pecan donuts idea.

Conclusion

I hope these Cinnamon Sugar Donuts bring warmth to your kitchen and a smile to your morning. If you want an extra-fluffy interpretation, see the recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts (Super Fluffy) – Cloudy Kitchen for inspiration. For another baked approach with similar flavors, this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – Sally’s Baking Addiction article is a great reference. Enjoy baking and please share how your batch turns out with friends and family.