Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
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These Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are soft and tender, with a buttery cinnamon sugar coating that tastes just like they came from a bakery. You don't need to fry them or use yeast either. Just mix up a quick batter and use a donut pan.
What I love about this recipe is that you only need basic pantry ingredients and a donut pan. There's no deep fryer or long proofing times to be found. Sour cream helps keep the donuts soft, and dipping them in melted butter and cinnamon sugar right after baking gives them that classic donut shop taste. You can have these ready for breakfast in less than an hour!
Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- They're baked, not fried. Just a donut pan and your oven, no hot oil required.
- They come together fast. Ready in about 40 minutes, start to finish.
- The cinnamon sugar coating is the best part. Buttery, sweet, and covers every side.
- They use simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
Ingredients You'll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you're cooking.
For the Donuts
- All-purpose flour: If you only have bread flour, you can use it here, but all-purpose is ideal.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the donuts.
- Baking soda: Gives the donuts their rise.
- Kosher salt: Don't try and swap in table salt. They doesn't measure 1:1.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a warm flavor that goes well with the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Sour cream: Keeps the donuts soft and tender.
- Oil: Adds moisture without weighing the batter down.
- Egg: Helps bind the batter together.
- Vanilla bean paste: Gives a rich vanilla flavor and little flecks of vanilla bean. If you don't have it, vanilla extract works too.
For the Coating
- Unsalted butter: Melted, for brushing the donuts before coating.
- Granulated sugar: The base of the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds classic warm spice to the coating.
In Photos: How To Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a nonstick donut pan.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the sour cream, oil, egg, and vanilla bean paste.
Step 4: Mix
Start whisking the wet ingredients in the center, then slowly mix in the dry ingredients until everything is combined.
Step 5: Bake & Coat
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden.
Let the donuts cool in the pan for 20 minutes before taking them out.
Brush melted butter over all sides of the donuts.
In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
Dip each buttered donut into the cinnamon sugar, turning to coat all sides.
Serve warm or room temperature.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Be careful not to overmix the batter. Stir only until everything is combined to keep the donuts tender.
- Coat the donuts while they're still a bit warm. The butter sticks to the cinnamon sugar best this way.
- If you don't have a donut pan, you can use a mini bundt pan instead. Just keep in mind you might need to adjust the baking time a little.
- Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The coating tastes best when fresh, as it will soften over time.
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 egg, large
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
For the Coating
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
To Make the Donuts
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and lightly grease a non-stick donut pan.
- Place the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the sour cream, oil, egg, and vanilla bean paste.
- Starting in the center and working your way outwards, whisk the liquid ingredients together, gradually drawing in the dry ingredients, until combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and bake the donuts for 10 to 14 minutes, or until just beginning to brown around the edges.
- Cool for 20 minutes, then remove from the pan.
- Brush with melted butter
To Coat the Donuts
- Brush the donuts with melted butter.
- Stir the sugar and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
- Dip the donuts in the cinnamon sugar, then flip and repeat, coating all sides.
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