Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – Easy Homemade Treat Perfect for Breakfast or Snack

🎉 Introduction

Few things feel as comforting as the smell of freshly made cinnamon sugar donuts filling your kitchen. Soft, tender, and coated in a sweet cinnamon embrace, these donuts are the kind of treat that instantly brings joy to the table. Whether enjoyed with a morning coffee, shared at breakfast with family, or grabbed as a quick afternoon snack, they always hit the right note.

This easy homemade donut recipe is designed for simplicity and flavor. No complicated steps, no fancy tools—just wholesome ingredients coming together to create donuts that are light on the inside and perfectly sweet on the outside. The sour cream in the batter gives these donuts a rich, moist texture, while the cinnamon sugar coating adds that classic bakery-style finish everyone loves.

If you’ve been looking for a breakfast donut recipe, a simple baked donut idea, or a comforting snack that feels special without being difficult, this recipe is exactly what you need.

🧰 Equipment Needed

To make these donuts smoothly, prepare the following tools:

• Mixing bowls (1 large, 1 medium)
• Whisk
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Donut pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small bowl for cinnamon sugar
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Cooling rack

🛒 Ingredients

For the Donuts

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup full-fat sour cream
• 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease a donut pan to ensure easy removal after baking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. This helps create evenly risen, soft donuts.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the egg until slightly frothy. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar, mixing until smooth. Stir in the sour cream, melted butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine Batter
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.

Step 6: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched. They should be pale golden and soft.

Step 7: Cool Slightly
Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.

Step 8: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Keep melted butter ready in another bowl.

Step 9: Coat the Donuts
Brush each warm donut with melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Step 10: Serve
Allow the coating to set briefly, then enjoy these soft cinnamon sugar donuts warm or at room temperature.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 8–10 donuts
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: About 30 minutes

Perfect for quick breakfasts or last-minute snacks.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days

Freezing

• Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 2 months
• Thaw at room temperature and coat before serving

Reheating

• Warm briefly in the microwave for 8–10 seconds
• This restores softness and aroma

🥄 Variations

• Extra Cinnamon Flavor: Add more cinnamon to the batter
• Vanilla Sugar Coating: Mix vanilla powder with cinnamon sugar
• Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan and bake for 8 minutes
• Filled Donuts: Pipe a small amount of cream filling inside
• Crunchy Coating: Double-dip in butter and cinnamon sugar

Each variation keeps the recipe exciting while maintaining the classic flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Are these donuts fried?
   No, they are baked, making them easier and lighter.
2. Why use sour cream?
   It adds moisture and richness to the donuts.
3. Can I make them ahead of time?
   Yes, they’re best the same day but still great the next.
4. Do I need a donut pan?
   Yes, it helps achieve the classic donut shape.
5. Can kids help make this recipe?
   Absolutely, it’s simple and fun.
6. Can I reduce the sugar?
   Yes, slightly reducing sugar still works well.
7. Are these donuts good for breakfast?
   Perfect with coffee or tea.
8. Can I use Greek-style cream instead of sour cream?
   Yes, full-fat versions work best.
9. How do I keep donuts soft?
   Store them in an airtight container.
10. What makes these donuts special?
    Their soft texture and classic cinnamon sugar coating.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts prove that homemade treats don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Soft, lightly spiced, and coated in warm cinnamon sugar, they’re the perfect balance of comfort and sweetness. Whether served for breakfast, shared as a snack, or enjoyed fresh from the oven, they bring bakery-style happiness straight into your home.

Once you try them, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your baking routine.

Adam

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – Easy Homemade Treat Perfect for Breakfast or Snack

Few things feel as comforting as the smell of freshly made cinnamon sugar donuts filling your kitchen. Soft, tender, and coated in a sweet cinnamon embrace, these donuts are the kind of treat that instantly brings joy to the table. Whether enjoyed with a morning coffee, shared at breakfast with family, or grabbed as a quick afternoon snack, they always hit the right note. This easy homemade donut recipe is designed for simplicity and flavor. No complicated steps, no fancy tools—just wholesome ingredients coming together to create donuts that are light on the inside and perfectly sweet on the outside. The sour cream in the batter gives these donuts a rich, moist texture, while the cinnamon sugar coating adds that classic bakery-style finish everyone loves. If you’ve been looking for a breakfast donut recipe, a simple baked donut idea, or a comforting snack that feels special without being difficult, this recipe is exactly what you need.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 10 donuts

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup full-fat sour cream
• 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

• 🍳

  Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

  View ↗
• ⚡

  Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

  View ↗
• 🔥

  CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

  View ↗

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

• To make these donuts smoothly, prepare the following tools:
• Mixing bowls (1 large, 1 medium)
• Whisk
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Donut pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small bowl for cinnamon-sugar
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Cooling rack

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease a donut pan to ensure easy removal after baking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. This helps create evenly risen, soft donuts.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, whisk the egg until slightly frothy. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar, mixing until smooth. Stir in the sour cream, melted butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine Batter

1. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

1. Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.

Step 6: Bake

1. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched. They should be pale golden and soft.

Step 7: Cool Slightly

1. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.

Step 8: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar

1. In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Keep melted butter ready in another bowl.

Step 9: Coat the Donuts

1. Brush each warm donut with melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Step 10: Serve

1. Allow the coating to set briefly, then enjoy these soft cinnamon sugar donuts warm or at room temperature.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days

Freezing

Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 2 months

Thaw at room temperature and coat before serving

Reheating

Warm briefly in the microwave for 8–10 seconds

This restores softness and aroma

🥄 Variations

Extra Cinnamon Flavor: Add more cinnamon to the batter

Vanilla Sugar Coating: Mix vanilla powder with cinnamon sugar

Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan and bake for 8 minutes

Filled Donuts: Pipe a small amount of cream filling inside

Crunchy Coating: Double-dip in butter and cinnamon sugar

Each variation keeps the recipe exciting while maintaining the classic flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

Are these donuts fried?
No, they are baked, making them easier and lighter.

Why use sour cream?
It adds moisture and richness to the donuts.

Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes, they’re best the same day but still great the next.

Do I need a donut pan?
Yes, it helps achieve the classic donut shape.

Can kids help make this recipe?
Absolutely, it’s simple and fun.

Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, slightly reducing sugar still works well.

Are these donuts good for breakfast?
Perfect with coffee or tea.

Can I use Greek-style cream instead of sour cream?
Yes, full-fat versions work best.

How do I keep donuts soft?
Store them in an airtight container.

What makes these donuts special?
Their soft texture and classic cinnamon sugar coating.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts prove that homemade treats don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Soft, lightly spiced, and coated in warm cinnamon sugar, they’re the perfect balance of comfort and sweetness. Whether served for breakfast, shared as a snack, or enjoyed fresh from the oven, they bring bakery-style happiness straight into your home.

Once you try them, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your baking routine.