Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

There’s nothing better than freshly made, warm cinnamon sugar donuts straight from the kitchen. Soft, fluffy, and coated with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture, these donuts are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or any time you crave something sweet. You can fry them for that classic donut texture or bake them for a lighter version. Here’s how you can make both versions at home!

Ingredients
For the Donuts:

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (plus 1 tablespoon for activating yeast)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Vegetable oil for frying (or use cooking spray if baking)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired, and you should start over with fresh yeast.
2. Prepare the Donut Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cinnamon.
Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add it to the dry ingredients, along with the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix together until the dough begins to form.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if needed to keep it from sticking.
3. Let the Dough Rise:
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.