by 
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are a delicious treat for breakfast or any time of the day!
Cake donuts
This past week we had two snow days....that's two days with school closed due to weather. The first was on Monday and then again on Thursday. Tons of snow and then the temperatures warmed up and we had freezing rain and then pouring rain.
To me, a snow day is a bonus baking day! I asked the kids what I should make during one of our snow days. They wanted donuts. I always loved the donuts my mom made when I was a kid. She often made the most amazing maple bars.
I decided to make cake donuts for the kids. Cake donuts are different than a regular donut. They aren't made with yeast and have a different texture. They are a bit denser than a yeast donut and have a slightly crispy exterior.
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Flour - Use regular, all-purpose flour
- Sugar - Granulated sugar is used in the dough and in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Powdered sugar could also be used for the sugar coating instead of the cinnamon sugar.
- Eggs - Add volume and structure to the donuts.
- Sour Cream - Helps with moisture and texture. Use a regular, full-fat sour cream (not a non-fat sour cream).
- Spices - Ground cinnamon and a bit of ground nutmeg. You could also add a bit of nutmeg to the sugar coating if you'd like.
- Oil for Frying - Use vegetable or canola oil.
Making cake donuts
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Mix eggs together until foamy. Stir in sugar
- Add sour cream and vanilla
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together.
- Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir just until mostly combined.
- Use a spatula to fold the last bit of flour into the mixture. Don't overmix the the dough
- Place dough on a piece of plastic wrap and form into a flat rectangular or square shape.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or up to 3-4 days.
- When the dough has fully chilled, place it on a well-floured surface.
- Roll out into a 10-inch square.
- Use a donut cutter to cut donut shares and donut holes.
- Fry in small batches in 375°F oil.
- Place cooked donuts on a baking rack.
- While donuts are still warm, toss in a bowl with cinnamon sugar.
Tips for Making Cake Donuts
- Recipe yields 8, 3½ inch donuts and about 12 donut holes. This will vary depending on the size of your donut cutter.
- Be generous with the flour when rolling out the dough. This dough is sticky and you'll need to be certain to add plenty of flour under the dough and on top of the dough. Gently lift the dough after you begin rolling to add additional flour.
- Check the temperature of your oil to make certain it is right around 375°F. The temperature will change when you add fresh dough, and while it is cooking.
- If your donuts are greasy, your oil isn't hot enough!
- If the donuts are really brown, but not cooked all the way through, your oil is too hot!
- The donut holes tend to roll over once they begin to brown.
Variations
I love the cinnamon sugar topping, but you could also roll the donuts in powdered sugar or make a thin powdered sugar glaze and drizzle over the top of the donuts.
If using the glaze, feel free to add colorful sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious baking recipes!
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 cups flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- oil for frying (You'll need 2-3 cups, depending on the size of your pan. Use vegetable or canola oil. )
Instructions
For the dough
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a bowl. Set aside.2 cups flour, 2½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, pinch ground nutmeg
- In a mixing bowl beat eggs until very bubbly2 large eggs
- Mix in sugar.½ cup sugar
- Add sour cream and vanilla. Stir until combined.½ cup sour cream, ½ teaspoon vanilla
- With mixer running, slowly add flour mixture. Mix just until ingredients are combined. I usually stop just before the flour is all the way mixed in and fold the rest in by hand with a silicone spatula. Dough will be wet and sticky.
- Place dough on a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap up sides, form dough into a disc and place in fridge for 1-2 hours.
Forming Donuts
- Remove dough from fridge. It will not be firm but will still be sticky.
- Place dough on a well-floured surface. Sprinkle with more flour on top. Roll gently with a rolling pin to approximately a 10x10 inch square. Add additional flour underneath after you begin rolling.
- Using a donut cutter dipped into flour, cut out shapes. Dip cutter into flour before each cut. Reroll any scraps to cut remaining donuts. Cut any extra dough into donut holes.
- Fill fryer or pot with at 1-2 inches of oil. Heat to 375 degrees.oil for frying
- Add a few donuts at a time, making certain you don't overcrowd the pan. Cook about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from oil onto a baking rack.
- Repeat until all donuts and donut holes are cooked, reheating to 375 degrees between each batch.
Cinnamon and Sugar
- Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.⅔ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- When donuts are still warm dip each one into mixed cinnamon and sugar.
Notes
- Recipe yields 8, 3½ inch donuts and about 12 donut holes. This will vary depending on the size of your donut cutter.
- Be generous with the flour when rolling out the dough. This dough is sticky, and you'll need to be certain to add plenty of flour under the dough and on top of the dough. Gently lift the dough after you begin rolling to add additional flour.
- Check the temperature of your oil to make certain it is right around 375°F. The temperature will change when you add fresh dough, and while it is cooking.
- The donut holes tend to roll over once they begin to brown.
- Donuts are best eaten the same day they are made.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in February 2017.
Kiki says
Lacking flavor. Very disappointed.
Kathy says
I'm sorry these weren't to your liking.
Erin says
My son has been begging me to make homemade donuts. Now I will have to with this recipe!
Kathy says
Just think...you will be his hero! 🙂
Donna says
Oh yum, these look amazing!!! My kids would be super excited if I whipped up a batch of these 🙂
Kathy says
My kids love 'em!
Michelle @ The Last Food Blog says
Hi Kathy, just wanted to stop by and say that these look fab! My daughter would love these. Also how clever is your Mum!! I think I may adopt that little trick 😉 Hope the weather has picked up for you now x
Kathy says
Thanks, Michelle! The weather has warmed up and the snow is melting!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
We have snow days almost every day here, but first days of snow are magical. I can sit on my window and watch the giant flakes for hours. My daughter is suffering from flu, and she loves donuts like anything, so I guess these would make her happy. Will bake them for her. Lovely share, Kathy.
Kathy says
I hope your daughter feels better! These doughnuts would make a lovely treat once she is back on her feet again!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
I love homemade donuts. There was a family friend that made her husband plain donuts every morning. These remind me of them. I can't wait to try these.
Kathy says
Every Morning! Wow!!!
Muna Kenny says
I love watching the snow falls but that's it. And yes, I love these doughnuts and wish I can have some with a chilled glass of milk 🙂
Kathy says
I agree! Watching snow falling is very peaceful! It's all the cleanup after the snow that's stressful!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I absolutely love snow and think it's one of the prettiest things on earth, but the sloppy, slushy mess afterwards is less than pretty. ICK! Hope everything clears up soon for you guys! I'd stay indoors and just eat these donuts on repeat, because YUM! I love everything covered in cinnamon-sugar, especially donuts, so these are totally calling my name! Such a classic! Cheers, friend!
Adina says
They do look perfect the doughnuts. My kids would love them as well.
Kathy says
Who doesn't love a great doughnut??? 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
So funny that your mom made you eat your least favourite food before giving you a treat. Smart though 🙂 We have a snow day here today, blizzard actually. This donuts look like the perfect thing to make (and eat) cuddled up with a coffee!
Kathy says
She didn't do it every time! But she did get me to eat a lot of foods I didn't like back then! 🙂
Çitra Kale @Çitra's Home Diary says
that doughnuts absolutely entertain the whole family during snow days. Nothing more heaven than stay warm inside our happy cave with family while freezing outside.
Kathy says
We all loved 'em!
stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
We have had some of the wackiest weather this year. These look scrumptious! I need these with my morning coffee. I love my avocado toast but come on the doughnut will always win, lol. Take care.
Kathy says
Sometimes a doughnut wins out over the avocado and toast! 🙂
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Wow, two snow days! I'm in Buffalo and we've gotten zero thus far. Anyhow, it's been doctors appointment after docs appointment here for me between the kids and myself, I feel like I don't have 2 minutes to just think and honestly it's time for a little treat! This is it!
Kathy says
We've actually had 6 snow days so far this year! We haven't had that many in years. It has been a crazy winter!
Amanda says
Oh my goodness! You totally read my mind with this one. I've been looking for a doughnut recipe like this. My boyfriend loves doughnuts and doughnut holes, and this is exactly what he's drawn to. Wonderful!
Kathy says
Perfect! Time to get making some doughnuts!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
Yay for snow days and baking! I hate winter, snow and cold temperatures, but if it involves baking, especially these fantastic doughnuts, I'm in! They look amazing!!
Kathy says
I don't mind the winter, but I do like a break every once in awhile! A little sunshine always is glorious!
David @ Spiced says
Oh man, I love cake doughnuts! Whenever one of those variety boxes of doughnuts would show up at school/work/etc, I would zoom straight in for the blueberry cake ones! But I also love cinnamon + sugar, so I'm thinking these doughnuts are basically my heaven. Glad you spent those bonus days making doughnuts!! 🙂
Kathy says
Blueberry cake doughnut! Wow....I've got some more cooking to do!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
Sorry you're having such messy, horrible weather, Kathy - but at least you get to eat those delicious donuts! I love a good, simple donut and these look awesome!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Cinnamon sugar donuts - now that is what I need for MY snow day, which is right now (boy is it coming down)...chilly weather perfection!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I'm sure these were a total hit Kathy! They look amazing! Wish I had one this morning with my coffee!
Kathy says
They were a hit! What's not to love....a little fried dough rolled in cinnamon and sugar? Total hit!
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
Donuts with a glass of milk- nothing is more comforting! I always find it a hassle to use so much oil to fry things in, but I suppose it's worth the effort. I hope it warms up soon in your part of the world!
Kathy says
A glass of milk is the perfect beverage to drink when eating a doughnut!