These homemade fried cinnamon sugar donuts are the ultimate old fashion sugar treats. Go back to your childhood pleasure of dunking your face in sugar. Light and fluffy, yet soft and sweet on the inside. Deep-fried until golden then dusted liberally with a delicious mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Perfect any time of the year for kids and grown-ups.
Table of Content
Remember those childhood days when mom made cinnamon sugar donuts, and there was sugar everywhere, on your face, hands, and in your hair? Well, every time I make cinnamon sugar doughnuts for my kids I miss my mom even more.
Unlike me, she never complained about all the mess we kids made. She'd graciously clean after us and live in the joyful moment of her kids having fun. Today, when I look back in time, I find myself appreciating her calm and patience.
Why make these donuts
- These are simple and easy light and airy donuts.
- Most of the ingredients used in this recipe are easy to find and simple pantry staples.
- These are made with instant yeast instead of sourdough starter so the wait time is much shorter of course.
- Today, I am coating the donuts with cinnamon sugar but you can also drop them in a sugar glaze, or coat them with a chocolate glaze.
- Of course, these are deep-fried so make sure to enjoy them deep-fried.
- These get over in our home quickly but if you do have any leftovers keep them in an airtight container, or paper bag on the counter for 2 days or in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can even freeze them in the freezer for up to a month.
Timeline and process
- Prepare the dough - 15 minutes
- Rise - 60 to 90 mins mins
- Roll and shape - 20 mins
- Proof - 45 to 60 minutes
- Deep fry - 20 mins
- Coat - 10 mins
Ingredients and substitutes
- Yeast - I like to use instant dry yeast because I've always had great success with it. And yet, you can certainly use active dry yeast in the same quantity. If you use fresh yeast, you will need about 21 grams for every 2 ¼ teaspoon (one packet) of dry yeast. Also, it's not necessary to activate the yeast, but I like to take the guesswork out and make sure my dough will rise.
- Butter - This adds richness to the dough. Do not add more butter as they will become very dark when frying.
- Milk - I love adding a bit of richness to the dough and milk works great in this recipe. Water will also work well. And if you do use water, you may need a little more flour in this recipe.
- Sugar - White sugar works excellently in this recipe. And yet, you can undoubtedly try brown or any other sugar. I think the amount here is just enough for both the inside and out but feel free to add or reduce if you want.
- Flour - I always use all-purpose flour for most of my yeast recipes. Because it's the most readily available. And yet, you can use bread flour as well for a softer texture.
- Nutmeg - There is nutmeg in the pumpkin spice, and yet I love that extra dash of nutmeg as it brings out that flavor of fall beautifully in these donuts. Feel free to reduce or omit.
- Cinnamon - A mesmerizing spice any time of the year. Use as little or as much as you like. While cinnamon is the most commonly used, one of my other favorites is a dash of cardamom along with the cinnamon. So, try it if you like the flavor of cardamom.
Cinnamon sugar donuts
- Wet ingredients - In the bowl of a stand mixer with the hook attachment, combine warm milk (110F), yeast, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Followed by the flour.
Pro tip - use a whisk to ensure everything is well combined especially if you are using fresh baker's yeast like me.
- Knead
- - By hand - start in a bowl then transfer to a well-dusted worktop and knead for 5 to 6 minutes
- - Stand mixer - once all the flour is well incorporated, knead on medium for 4 to 5 minutes
- Butter - Next, add the salt, nutmeg, and soft room temperature butter. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes more until smooth and elastic.
Pro tip - the dough will break apart at first when you add the butter but it will come together again as you knead. - Bowl - Transfer to an oiled bowl seam side down. Coat the surface with oil to prevent drying. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth or plastic wrap.
- Rise - Leave to rise in a warm place for 60 to 90 minutes or until it doubles in volume.
Pro tip - Alternatively, you can also keep the dough in the fridge overnight. Take it out an hour to thaw before rolling.
- Cut - Transfer to a well-dusted work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll to about ¼ inch thickness. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter cut out as many discs as you can. Then use a ½ inch cookie cutter to make the center hole. Alternatively, you can also use a donut cutter.
Pro tip - if you roll the dough too thin the donuts will not be fluffy. It is best to make fewer yet, light and fluffy donuts than many flat hard donuts. - Tray - Transfer the donuts to a baking tray that has been lined with parchment paper and dusted with flour.
Pro tip - The flour will prevent the donuts from sticking to the parchment paper. - Proof - Cover with a plastic wrap or clean kitchen cloth and let them proof until double in size about 45 to 60 minutes.
Pro tip - Spray the plastic wrap with oil to prevent it from sticking to the rolls.
- Deep fry - Pour oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer and bring to about 350 °F. I like to use my dutch oven.
- Cook the donuts on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil and drop them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Tip 1- make sure you have enough oil so the donuts will be at least half immersed in oil when puffed.
- Tip 2- You want the oil hot, but not too hot. When you drop a donut hole it should come up in about 30 seconds, if it comes up too soon means the oil is too hot. Too slow means the oil is too cold. Adjust accordingly.
- Cinnamon sugar - Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small tray or bowl. Drop the hot donut into the cinnamon sugar, so it sticks to the donuts.
Pro tip - the donuts must be hot so the cinnamon sugar will stick the oil on the donuts. If you wait too long the sugar won't stick. If that happens you can brush cold donuts with melted butter and dust them with cinnamon sugar again.
Tips for Success
- The temperature of milk - It is very important to make sure the milk is warm, not hot or cold. You don't need a thermometer to check - that's just a guide.
- To check if the milk is at the right temperature - just stick your clean little finger in. You should be able to hold it in for a minute if not it's too hot. Best to wait until just warm.
- The temperature of the oil - I know I said the oil has to be around 325 ° F but again, you don't necessarily need a thermometer. Here's how to check if the oil is right. Make mini doughnuts - I divide one doughnut into four and make mini doughnuts. This helps me test the hot oil before and in between batches.
- How to test oil - Add a mini doughnut to test the oil. The doughnut should rise in about 30 secs. If it rises too soon means the oil is too hot and if it takes too long means the oil is not yet hot. Adjust accordingly. Keep an eye on oil temperature as it rises and cools between donuts batches. Adding doughnuts to the oil will cool the oil. So find a balance on how many doughnuts per batch works with your settings.
- Keep the dough soft, elastic, and slightly sticky. The softness in the mixture (not extra butter) will produce melt-in-your-mouth donuts. I admit that soft dough is more difficult to handle. So that's why I have a second tip for you.
How long can you keep donuts?
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container, or paper bag on the counter for 2 days or in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can even freeze them in the freezer for up to a month.
Why are donuts fried? What do you fry them in?
You can make baked donuts, which are cake batter-based like I have done here in my baked pumpkin donuts. And yet, traditional doughnuts are fried and have a yeast-raised dough.
What oil is best for frying these donuts?
I use canola oil. It has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point. Also, it works best when deep-frying bread and sweet treats like churros and doughnuts.
Printable Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowCalories: 177kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 20 Donuts
Description
These homemade fried cinnamon sugar donuts are the ultimate old fashion sugar treats. Go back to your childhood pleasure of dunking your face in sugar. Light and fluffy, yet soft and sweet on the inside. Deep-fried until golden then dusted liberally with a delicious mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Perfect any time of the year for kids and grown-ups.
Video
Ingredients
Donut dough
- 180 g (¾ cups) Whole milk (warm (110F))
- 100 g (3 large) Eggs
- 15 g (1 tablespoon) Sugar
- 9 g (2¼ teaspoon) Instant dry yeast
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 500 g (4 cups) All-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- 7 g (1 teaspoon) Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 60 g (4 tablespoon) Butter (unsalted, room temperature)
For coating
- 100 g (½ cups) Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Dry ingredients - In a bowl combine flour, salt, and grated nutmeg. Combine well
- Wet ingredients - In the bowl of a stand mixer with the hook attachment, combine warm milk (110F), yeast, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Followed by the flour mixture. Pro tip - use a whisk to ensure everything is well combined especially if you are using fresh baker's yeast like me.
- Knead - By hand - start in a bowl then transfer to a well-dusted worktop and knead for 5 to 6 minutes - Stand mixer - once all the flour is well incorporated, knead on medium for 4 to 5 minutes
- Butter - Next, add the salt, nutmeg, and soft room temperature butter. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes more until smooth and elastic.Pro tip - the dough will break apart at first when you add the butter but it will come together again as you knead.
- Bowl - Transfer to an oiled bowl seam side down. Coat the surface with oil to prevent drying. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth or plastic wrap.
- Rise - Leave to rise in a warm place for 60 to 90 minutes or until it doubles in volume. Pro tip - Alternatively, you can also keep the dough in the fridge overnight. Take it out an hour to thaw before rolling.
- Cut - Transfer to a well-dusted work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll to about ¼ inch thickness. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter cut out as many discs as you can. Then use a ½ inch cookie cutter to make the center hole. Alternatively, you can also use a donut cutter. Pro tip - if you roll the dough too thin the donuts will not be fluffy. It is best to make fewer yet, light and fluffy donuts than many flat hard donuts. donut cutter
- Tray - Transfer the donuts to a baking tray that has been lined with parchment paper and dusted with flour. Pro tip - The flour will prevent the donuts from sticking to the parchment paper.
- Proof - Cover with a plastic wrap or clean kitchen cloth and let them proof until double in size about 45 to 60 minutes. Pro tip - Spray the plastic wrap with oil to prevent it from sticking to the rolls.
- Deep fry - Pour oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer and bring to about 350 °F. I like to use my dutch oven. Cook the donuts on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil and drop them on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Tip 1- make sure you have enough oil so the donuts will be at least half immersed in oil when puffed.Tip 2- You want the oil hot, but not too hot. When you drop a donut hole it should come up in about 30 seconds, if it comes up too soon means the oil is too hot. Too slow means the oil is too cold. Adjust accordingly.
- Cinnamon sugar - Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small tray or bowl. Drop the hot donut into the cinnamon sugar, so it sticks to the donuts. Pro tip - the donuts must be hot so the cinnamon sugar will stick the oil on the donuts. If you wait too long the sugar won't stick. If that happens you can brush cold donuts with melted butter and dust them with cinnamon sugar again.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- The temperature of milk - It is very important to make sure the milk is warm, not hot or cold. You don't need a thermometer to check - that's just a guide.
- To check if the milk is at the right temperature - just stick your clean little finger in. You should be able to hold it in for a minute if not it's too hot. Best to wait until just warm.
- The temperature of the oil - I know I said the oil has to be around 325 ° F but again, you don't necessarily need a thermometer. Here's how to check if the oil is right. Make mini doughnuts - I divide one doughnut into four and make mini doughnuts. This helps me test the hot oil before and in between batches.
- How to test oil - Add a mini doughnut to test the oil. The doughnut should rise in about 30 secs. If it rises too soon means the oil is too hot and if it takes too long means the oil is not yet hot. Adjust accordingly. Keep an eye on oil temperature as it rises and cools between donuts batches. Adding doughnuts to the oil will cool the oil. So find a balance on how many doughnuts per batch works with your settings.
- Keep the dough soft, elastic, and slightly sticky. The softness in the mixture (not extra butter) will produce melt-in-your-mouth donuts. I admit that soft dough is more difficult to handle. So that's why I have a second tip for you.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 177- kcalCarbohydrates: 33- gProtein: 3- gFat: 3- gSaturated Fat: 1- gCholesterol: 23- mgSodium: 125- mgPotassium: 53- mgFiber: 0- gSugar: 12- gVitamin A: 100- IUCalcium: 18- mgIron: 1.3- mg
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Sabrina
I have never met a doughnut I didn't like. Such a fun way to start the day.
Veena Azmanov
Me too. I love all kinds of doughnuts.
Emily
These donuts look amazing. Can I make them in my air fryer?
Veena Azmanov
Not sure. I have not tried it yet.
Marlynn
Donuts are my love language! My whole family LOVES donuts, especially cinnamon sugar ones. These look so tasty!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Marlynn.
Chantal
OMG! These look amazing, I make doughnuts once every few years because I have no self control when it comes to the deep fried goodness especially when you add cinnamon sugar!?
Veena Azmanov
I hear you, Chantal. I avoid but the kids need their treats.
Katie
This recipe looks so delicious, and I love the step by step photos!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Katie.