This delightful Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for a fun frying session in your kitchen, promising a quick and easy treat that your family will love!
Ingredient Breakdown
Before diving into the cooking, let’s gather our ingredients. You’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our donuts.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: For sweetness in the batter.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: A must-have spice for that iconic flavor.
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons): This will help our donuts rise.
- 1/2 cup warm milk: Activates the yeast for a fluffy donut texture.
- 1 large egg: Brings richness to our dough.
- 1/4 cup butter, melted: Adds moisture and flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches to elevate all the delicious flavors!
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping): For those sweet sugary bites.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping): Infuses our sugar with more cinnamon goodness.
- Oil for frying: You can use any neutral oil, like vegetable or canola.
This is truly a basic recipe, allowing for some substitutions if you need to. You can replace the whole milk with almond or oat milk, and even experiment with different types of flour like whole wheat!
Let’s Get Cooking!
In this section, I’ll break down the steps to make these Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts, ensuring it’s as fun and straightforward as possible!
Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy and bubbly. This means your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Combine Ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, then add the egg, melted butter, and salt. Mix everything until you have a dough that forms.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. I love this part, there’s something about kneading bread dough that’s super therapeutic!
Let it Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. It should double in size, which is always fun to watch!
Shape the Donuts: Once your dough has risen, roll it out to about 1/2 inch thickness and cut it into twist shapes. You could make them round if you’d like, but twists add a fun flair!Fry the Donuts: In a deep fryer or large pot, heat your oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully fry the donuts until they’re golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Be careful, because that splattering oil can be dangerous!
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a separate bowl, mix together the 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping.
Coat and Serve: While the donuts are still warm, coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. And then, it’s time to dig in!
These donuts are soft, fluffy, and coated in the perfect amount of sweetness and spice. They are pure comfort food!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my air fryer cinnamon sugar donuts, my chocolate chip banana bread, or my homemade granola bars!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
These donuts come together in under 30 minutes, making them the perfect choice for breakfast or a sweet afternoon treat. You can whip them up in no time, and I mean, who wouldn’t love fresh, homemade donuts?
Crow-Pleaser
Trust me when I say the whole family will love it! Little hands love all things sweet and warm, and my picky eater actually requests seconds every time! They’re perfect for gatherings, playdates, or just a cozy family breakfast.
Customizable
Don’t have all the ingredients? No problem! This recipe is very forgiving. You can use non-dairy milk, add different spices, or switch up the sugar to suit your dietary needs or flavor preferences.
Comfort Food
There’s something incredibly comforting about fresh donuts, loaded with cinnamon and sugar, they’re that warm hug you didn’t know you needed.
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Recipe
These donuts are delightful all on their own, but they pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or milk. You can also add a side of fresh fruit for a bit of balance. Trust me, nothing says “weekend” quite like a plate of these, fresh out of the fryer!
Storage
If you have any leftovers (and that’s a big if!), let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. In the refrigerator, they should last about 2-3 days, but who can resist the temptation?
Reheating Instructions
To reclaim that warm, fresh-baked taste, I recommend reheating them briefly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. If they’ve lost their crunch, a quick toast in the air fryer can bring back that delicious texture.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze these donuts, too. Just make sure they’re completely cooled, then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for about a month, and you can easily reheat them straight from the freezer!
And there you have it! Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts that are quick, easy, and perfect for your next family breakfast.
Happy cooking! And follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy and bubbly.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, then add the egg, melted butter, and salt. Mix until you have a dough that forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Once risen, roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness and cut into twist shapes.
- In a deep fryer or large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully fry the donuts until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping.
- While the donuts are still warm, coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.