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; 1/4 cup (60g) yogurt; 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted

If you’re craving a cozy, cinnamon-spiced treat that won’t weigh you down, this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these donuts come out soft, tender, and perfectly coated in that classic cinnamon sugar crunch—without any frying. Whether you’re making them for an easy breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up, you’ll find that baking them keeps things lighter but still super satisfying. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to nail it every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthier Alternative: Bakes instead of frying, so you get all the flavor with less guilt.
Simple Ingredients: Uses common pantry essentials you probably already have.
Family Favorite: My whole crew goes crazy for these, and they’re kid-approved too.
Easy to Customize: You can mix up spices, toppings, and even try gluten-free versions with ease.

The image shows several round doughnuts with a light brown, crispy outside covered in a layer of sugar. One doughnut is broken in half, showing a soft, light yellow inside with a slightly crumbly texture. The doughnuts are placed directly on a white marbled surface without any plate or bowl. The sugar coating looks grainy and gives a sparkling effect under the light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, easy baked donuts, homemade baked donuts, healthy donut recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this baked cinnamon sugar donuts recipe is in its balance of simple elements. These ingredients work in harmony to create that tender, flavorful donut you’ll want again and again. I’d suggest grabbing fresh spices to keep that cinnamon punch bold and lively.

Flat lay of warm brown cinnamon sticks with textured ridges, golden light brown packed brown sugar crystals, smooth creamy white yogurt dollops, fresh light yellow whole egg, rich golden melted butter pools, tiny piles of warm reddish-brown ground cinnamon and nutmeg powders, creamy off-white all-purpose flour scattered gently, and a small splash of fresh white milk, all beautifully arranged in natural loose clusters and soft mounds with varied textures, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, easy baked donuts, homemade baked donuts, healthy donut recipes

All-purpose flour: Spoon and level it for accurate measurement; it keeps donuts tender.
Baking powder: Your main leavening agent for nice rise.
Baking soda: Adds a subtle lift and browning; combined with yogurt for balance.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
Ground cinnamon: Freshly ground if possible, for maximum aroma.
Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch adds warmth and depth.
Large egg: Room temperature is key for best mixing.
Light brown sugar: Gives a subtle molasses flavor and keeps the donuts moist.
Milk: I usually use whole milk for creaminess, but any kind works.
Yogurt: Adds tang and tenderness; Greek yogurt works well too.
Unsalted butter: Melted for richness, both in the batter and coating.
Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla makes all the difference.
Granulated sugar and cinnamon (for topping): The signature crunchy coat!

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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

I love how adaptable this baked cinnamon sugar donuts recipe is. Over time, I’ve found little tweaks that change things up without sacrificing that comforting flavor we all crave. Feel free to make it your own—cooking is for experimenting and enjoying!

Gluten-Free Version: I swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and added a bit of xanthan gum for stability—it works beautifully.
Spiced Up: Adding a bit of ground cardamom or ginger with the cinnamon gives a lovely twist I love during the holidays.
Maple Glaze Instead of Butter: Tried replacing the butter dip with a maple glaze once, and it was a huge hit for brunch.
Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar: Mix a tablespoon of cocoa powder in the batter for a chocolate-cinnamon combo that’s delightful.

How to Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and spraying your donut pan with non-stick spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I like to make sure those spices are evenly distributed here so every bite has that warm, cozy flavor.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, brown sugar, milk, and yogurt until smooth and creamy. Then, stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract. Keeping the egg at room temperature really helps everything blend smoothly.

Step 3: Mix Wet and Dry Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently just until combined. The batter will be quite thick—that’s perfect! Be careful not to overmix, or your donuts might turn dense. It took me a few tries to get comfortable with this consistency; trust me, thick is good here.

Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan

I highly recommend using a large zip-top bag for the easiest filling method. Spoon the batter into the bag, squeeze out the air, and snip off a small corner. Then pipe the batter into each donut cavity until about two-thirds to three-quarters full. This trick helps keep things neat and even. It’s one of those little hacks I discovered after a messy first batch!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for 9-10 minutes, keeping an eye on the edges—they should turn a nice light golden brown. Once done, take the donuts out and let them cool for about 2 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack set over parchment or a baking sheet. I usually bake the remaining batter once I’ve finished the first batch. Let all donuts cool for at least 10 minutes before moving on to the topping—this cooling period is crucial to keep the sugar coating nice and crisp.

Step 6: Dip in Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in a shallow dish, then dip each cooled donut into the butter and quickly roll it in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated. The warm butter helps that sugar stick perfectly and form a delightful crunchy crust.

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Pro Tips for Making Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the batter blend smoothly and creates a tender crumb.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: I learned this the hard way—the donuts can become dense if you stir too much.
Pipe Batter for Even Donuts: Using a zip-top bag makes filling the pan neat and ensures uniform sizing.
Cool Before Coating: Dipping too soon melts the sugar and spoils the crunch, so give your donuts a good 10-minute rest.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with just the cinnamon sugar coating, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple glaze can add a lovely touch for special occasions. Sometimes, I sprinkle a tiny bit of chopped nuts or even a pinch of flaky sea salt to contrast the sweetness—it’s surprisingly addictive.

Side Dishes

A hot cup of coffee or chai tea pairs beautifully with these donuts—especially on a cool morning. For a heartier spread, I often serve them with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit or a small bowl of warm apple compote. Trust me, it rounds out the flavors nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or brunch gatherings, I’ve arranged these donuts on a tiered cake stand and added edible flowers or fresh berries around them. Another fun idea I tried was setting them up as “donut kebabs” on wooden skewers, alternating with slices of apple and cinnamon-spiced nuts—a big crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover baked cinnamon sugar donuts keep well when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I usually place parchment paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking. My family is notorious for sneaking them out, so they rarely last beyond that!

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these donuts freeze exceptionally well. After the cinnamon sugar coating, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. When thawed overnight in the fridge, they almost taste freshly baked.

Reheating

To refresh your baked donuts, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes or so—it brings back that fresh-baked warmth without making the sugar topping soggy. Avoid microwaving unless you’re in a pinch, as it can make the texture rubbery.

FAQs

Can I make this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe vegan?

Yes! You can substitute the egg for a flax or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground seed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), and replace dairy milk and yogurt with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and coconut yogurt. Use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Do I need a special donut pan to make these?

While a donut pan makes shaping super easy and ensures even baking, you can also use a muffin tin and shape the batter into rings with a spoon, but results won’t be as uniform. Investing in a silicone donut pan is a game-changer for this recipe.
Why is my batter so thick?

This batter is meant to be thick—that’s what helps keep the donuts tender and structured. Don’t add extra liquid; mix until just combined for the best results.
Can I add fillings or glazes?

Absolutely! After baking and cooling, you can dip the donuts in glazes made from powdered sugar and milk or drizzle melted chocolate. For fillings, I recommend making donut holes or using piping bags after the fact, as it’s tricky to fill baked donuts without a specialized tool.

Final Thoughts

This baked cinnamon sugar donuts recipe quickly became a favorite in my kitchen because it captures that classic donut taste and texture without the mess of frying. I love sharing these light, fluffy treats with friends and family, knowing they’re made from scratch with love and simple ingredients. If you’ve been hunting for an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing sweet, you really should give this recipe a try—you’ll be so glad you did!