Baked Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts: Your Easy Path to Homemade Bliss

Forget the fried fuss and ditch the specialized donut pan! Get ready to discover the irresistible joy of baking your own cinnamon sugar doughnuts right at home. Hot out of the oven, these delightful treats are soft, sweet, and incredibly satisfying – a true bite of heaven that promises to brighten any morning or sweeten any moment.

There’s an undeniable magic to a warm doughnut, isn’t there? It’s a universal comfort food, capable of turning around even the dreariest of days. A rough morning? A perfectly glazed doughnut offers a sweet escape. A less-than-ideal work review? Chocolate frosted might just be the answer. And for those moments when worries weigh heavy, a sprinkle-topped pastry seems to lighten the load.

But why does this sugary temptation always pull us away from our healthy Kashi and toward the blissful indulgence of a gooey, sweet filling? Perhaps it’s because some treats are just too good to resist, and homemade doughnuts, especially baked ones, redefine indulgence without the guilt of deep-frying.

For too long, the idea of homemade doughnuts remained just that – an idea, a delightful culinary fantasy. But the time for dreaming is over. The day has finally arrived to transform that craving into a delicious reality. Lucky for you, this recipe makes it easier than you ever imagined.

It might have been weeks since these particular doughnuts graced my kitchen, but the memory lingers, and the inner pastry fiend in me already thinks it’s been far too long. My primary care physician might beg to differ on the frequency, but sometimes, a little sugary solace is exactly what the soul needs. And when they’re baked, you can certainly enjoy them with a little less trepidation.

The Irresistible Allure of Baked Doughnuts

If you’ve been hesitant to venture into the world of homemade doughnuts, fearing complicated techniques or the mess of a deep fryer, this recipe is your perfect introduction. Adapted from a wonderfully simple baked doughnut recipe, these treats are every bit as delicious and satisfying as the ones you might pick up from your local bakery, but with the added warmth and charm of being made right in your own kitchen. Say goodbye to bulky fryers and unnecessary calories; embrace the sweetness and fluffiness of these home-baked delights!

The texture of these cinnamon sugar doughnuts is truly remarkable: wonderfully cakey and terrifically moist. Each bite offers a tender crumb enveloped in a fragrant coating of sweet spice. The effort you put in, which is surprisingly minimal for such a delightful outcome, is worth every single ounce. Whether you’re baking a special treat for loved ones or simply hogging them all to yourself (no judgment here!), these doughnuts are an absolutely delicious way to welcome any morning or celebrate a quiet afternoon.

Why Choose Baked Over Fried?

Beyond the obvious health benefits of avoiding deep-fried foods, baking doughnuts offers several compelling advantages. Firstly, it’s significantly less messy. No splattering oil, no lingering greasy smell, and no large vat of oil to dispose of. This makes cleanup a breeze, allowing you to enjoy your baking experience without the dread of post-cooking chores.

Secondly, baked doughnuts are often more approachable for the home cook. You don’t need specialized equipment like a deep fryer or even a dedicated donut pan. As this recipe beautifully demonstrates, a simple cookie cutter and a baking sheet are all you need to create perfectly shaped doughnuts. This accessibility means anyone, regardless of their baking prowess, can whip up a batch of these comforting treats.

Finally, the texture of a baked doughnut is unique and delightful. While fried doughnuts offer a crisp exterior and airy interior, baked versions are wonderfully cake-like, dense yet tender, and incredibly moist. This distinct texture makes them perfect for soaking up that luscious melted butter and cinnamon sugar coating, creating a truly melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Crafting the Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Coating

The magic of these doughnuts lies not just in their tender crumb, but also in their iconic cinnamon sugar coating. This simple yet profound combination elevates a plain doughnut to an extraordinary level. Cinnamon, with its warm, sweet, and slightly woody notes, pairs exquisitely with granulated sugar, creating a crunchy, fragrant crust that provides a delightful textural contrast to the soft doughnut beneath.

To achieve the best coating, ensure your doughnuts are still warm when you dip them. The residual heat helps the melted butter adhere perfectly, creating a sticky surface for the cinnamon sugar to cling to. Don’t be shy with the coating – a generous layer ensures every bite is packed with that comforting, spiced sweetness. You can even experiment with adding a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to your cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra layer of aromatic complexity.

Tips for Doughnut Baking Success

Making homemade baked doughnuts might seem daunting, but with a few key tips, you’ll be a pro in no time:

• Yeast Activation: Ensure your milk is truly warm (95-105°F or 35-40°C) but not hot, to properly activate the instant yeast. Too cold, and the yeast won’t activate; too hot, and it will kill the yeast, leading to flat doughnuts.
• Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft, smooth, and slightly sticky, pulling away from the sides of the bowl but not dry. Resist the urge to add too much flour, as this will result in tough doughnuts. A little stickiness is good!
• Rising Environment: A warm, draft-free place is ideal for dough to rise. If your kitchen is cool, you can lightly heat your oven to its lowest setting for a few minutes, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside (with the door slightly ajar so it doesn’t get too hot).
• Cutting Doughnuts Without a Pan: No donut pan? No problem! Use a 2-3 inch round cookie cutter for the outer ring and a smaller 1-inch cutter (or even a clean, wide piping tip) for the inner hole. Ensure the inner hole is large enough; as the doughnuts rise again and bake, the dough will puff up.
• Don’t Overbake: Baked doughnuts should be just barely golden on the bottom and remain pale on top. Overbaking will result in dry doughnuts. Start checking them around the 8-minute mark.
• Coat While Warm: The melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture adheres best to warm doughnuts. Have your coating ready to go as soon as the doughnuts come out of the oven.
• Freshness is Key: Like most freshly baked goods, these doughnuts are best enjoyed on the day they are made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. A quick zap in the microwave can sometimes revive their warmth and softness.

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

Yield:
1 1/2 dozen doughnuts

Ingredients

Dough:

• 1 1/3 cups warm milk, 95 to 105 degrees F (35 to 40 degrees C)
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 2 large eggs
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• A pinch or two of nutmeg, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer (or a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand), combine the warm milk, yeast, and 2/3 cup granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy, indicating it’s active. Add the softened butter, eggs, all-purpose flour, freshly grated nutmeg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, beat the dough at medium speed for 2-3 minutes. If mixing by hand, start with a wooden spoon and then switch to your hands. The dough should start to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Adjust the dough texture by adding flour a tablespoon at a time if it’s too sticky, or a splash more milk if it’s too dry. The goal is a very soft, smooth, and slightly sticky dough – avoid overflouring! Knead the dough for a few more minutes (either by mixer or by hand) until elastic.
2. First Rise: Transfer the kneaded dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. The exact time will vary depending on your kitchen’s temperature.
3. Shape the Doughnuts: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. Lightly flour your counter surface and roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a doughnut cutter or a 2-3 inch round cookie cutter, cut out as many doughnut circles as possible. For the holes, use a smaller 1-inch cookie cutter or even a large piping tip. Carefully transfer the cut doughnut rings and holes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Ensure the holes are sufficiently large so they don’t disappear as the dough rises and bakes. Gather any scraps, gently knead them once or twice, and re-roll to cut out more doughnuts.
4. Second Rise (Optional Overnight Chill): Cover the baking sheet with lightly greased plastic wrap. Allow the doughnuts to rise again for about 45 minutes, or until they look puffed and nearly doubled in size. For convenience, at this point, you can also refrigerate the covered doughnuts overnight (up to 12 hours) and bake them fresh in the morning. If refrigerating, let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
5. Bake the Doughnuts: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake the doughnuts for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are just golden brown. The tops should remain pale, not golden or deeply browned, and the doughnuts should be just baked through. Start checking at 8 minutes to prevent overbaking.
6. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: While the doughnuts are baking, prepare your coating. In a shallow bowl, melt the 1/2 cup butter. In another shallow bowl, combine the 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon, mixing well.
7. Serve Immediately: Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for only 1-2 minutes – they need to be warm for the coating to stick. Immediately dip each warm doughnut into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated, then transfer it to the cinnamon sugar mixture and toss or sprinkle generously to coat all sides.
8. Enjoy: Serve these delightful baked cinnamon sugar doughnuts immediately and savor every soft, sweet bite!

Did you make this recipe?

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