If you love classic doughnuts but want an easier homemade version, these Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts are the perfect recipe to try. They are soft and fluffy inside, lightly golden around the edges, and finished with a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating that makes every bite irresistible.
Unlike traditional doughnuts, these are baked instead of deep-fried, making them simple to prepare in the oven with less mess and no hot oil. They are ideal for breakfast, brunch, afternoon snacks, weekend baking, or a cozy treat with coffee.
The combination of warm cinnamon, vanilla, butter, and tender cake-like dough creates a comforting flavor that tastes like a bakery-style doughnut made right in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts
There are plenty of reasons to add this easy baked doughnut recipe to your baking rotation:
- No deep frying: Everything is baked in the oven.
- Quick and easy: The batter comes together in minutes.
- Soft and fluffy: A tender crumb makes these doughnuts incredibly satisfying.
- Warm cinnamon flavor: Cinnamon sugar gives them a classic finish.
- Perfect for breakfast: Pair them with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults will love them.
- Great for entertaining: They make an attractive addition to a brunch table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the doughnuts:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cinnamon-sugar coating:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Ingredient Tips
All-purpose flour provides the structure while keeping the doughnuts tender. Measure it carefully for the best texture.
Ground cinnamon is the star flavor, so use fresh, fragrant cinnamon for the best results.
Milk adds moisture and creates a soft crumb. Whole milk gives a richer result, but 2% milk can also work.
Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level while adding richness to both the doughnuts and the coating.
Vanilla extract balances the cinnamon and adds a subtle bakery-style flavor.
How to Make Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts
1. Prepare the Doughnut Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a standard doughnut pan with cooking spray or softened butter.
Greasing the pan helps the baked doughnuts release easily after baking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Mixing the dry ingredients first distributes the baking powder and cinnamon evenly throughout the batter.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before adding it to the egg mixture. Very hot butter can affect the egg.
4. Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until everything is just combined.
Avoid overmixing. A few small lumps are fine. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, which may result in dense or chewy doughnuts instead of soft and fluffy ones.
5. Fill the Doughnut Pan
Transfer the batter to a piping bag, zip-top bag with the corner snipped off, or simply spoon it into the pan.
Fill each doughnut cavity about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Avoid overfilling because the batter will rise as it bakes.
6. Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until the doughnuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean.
Try not to overbake them. Since baked doughnuts are relatively small, they can dry out quickly.
7. Cool the Doughnuts
Let the doughnuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack.
They should be warm but not piping hot when you coat them.
How to Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
The cinnamon-sugar coating is what gives these baked doughnuts their irresistible classic finish.
Melt the butter in a small bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
While the doughnuts are still slightly warm, brush each one lightly with melted butter. Immediately toss or roll it in the cinnamon sugar until evenly coated.
The warm butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the surface while creating a deliciously rich exterior.
Expert Tips for Perfect Baked Doughnuts
Don’t overmix the batter. Stir only until the ingredients are combined. This helps maintain a light texture.
Grease the pan well. Even nonstick doughnut pans benefit from a light coating of butter or cooking spray.
Don’t overfill the cavities. Overfilled doughnuts can lose their classic ring shape.
Use room-temperature ingredients when possible. Milk and eggs that aren’t very cold can help create a smoother batter.
Watch the baking time. Every oven is slightly different, so begin checking around the 10-minute mark.
Coat while warm. Warm doughnuts absorb the buttery cinnamon flavor beautifully and hold the sugar coating better.
How to Store Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts
These doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days.
For longer storage, place the baked doughnuts in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze them for up to 2–3 months. Thaw them at room temperature and refresh them briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.
For the best cinnamon-sugar texture, you can add a fresh coating after reheating.
Easy Variations
Want to change up this classic baked doughnut recipe? Try one of these ideas.
Maple Cinnamon Doughnuts: Add a small amount of maple extract to the batter or drizzle the finished doughnuts with maple glaze.
Apple Cinnamon Doughnuts: Add finely diced apple to the batter for a cozy fall-inspired version.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Doughnuts: Replace some of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a deeper caramel-like flavor.
Cinnamon Glazed Doughnuts: Skip the cinnamon sugar and finish the cooled doughnuts with a simple vanilla-cinnamon glaze.
Nutty Cinnamon Doughnuts: Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
What to Serve With Cinnamon Doughnuts
These homemade doughnuts are especially delicious alongside a hot cup of coffee. They also pair beautifully with tea, hot chocolate, or a cold glass of milk.
For brunch, serve them with fresh berries, yogurt, scrambled eggs, or a fresh fruit platter. Their warm cinnamon flavor makes them particularly appealing during fall and winter, but they are easy enough to enjoy all year.
Frequently Used Baking Questions to Keep in Mind
When making baked doughnuts, the biggest factors affecting the final result are batter consistency, oven temperature, mixing technique, and baking time. Keep the batter thick but spoonable, avoid excessive mixing, and remove the doughnuts from the oven as soon as they are cooked through.
A properly baked doughnut should feel soft and springy rather than hard or dry.
Final Thoughts
These Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts are proof that you don’t need a deep fryer to make an irresistible homemade doughnut. With a simple batter, warm cinnamon, buttery coating, and a short baking time, you can create a batch of soft, fluffy treats that taste wonderfully homemade.
Whether you’re preparing an easy weekend breakfast, planning a cozy brunch, or simply craving something sweet with your morning coffee, this recipe delivers classic cinnamon-doughnut flavor with minimal effort.
For the best results, keep the batter gently mixed, avoid overbaking, and coat the doughnuts while they are still warm. That combination creates a tender center and delicious cinnamon-sugar exterior that makes these baked doughnuts hard to resist.
