Why fry when you can bake and get absolutely perfect results? These cinnamon sugar baked donuts are soft, fluffy, and made without using any eggs. Yes! They are eggless donuts. They are easy, light and so delicious that they would get finished as soon as they are out of the oven. And the best part is the aroma in your kitchen. They are lightly sweet and that is one reason that you can eat many at a time 🙂 But you can sweeten it as per your needs.
I learned this recipe from Jemma of Bigger Bolder Baking. The only difference is that I made these donuts without the use of a stand mixer. The dough is kneaded manually. Not everyone has a stand mixer but still wants to try these baked recipes at home. So, go ahead. Do not be afraid because I am sure that if you follow the recipe, you will get amazing results.
Story Time
When Jatin went to Scotland, UK for a year for his work, he used to buy a big packet of cinnamon sugar donuts there. He loved it so much that he would finish the entire pack in one sitting. They were so light that you can eat many pieces and still won’t feel heavy at all. They were lightly coated with sugar and that made them more addictive. He used to tell me so much about them that even I got tempted to try it out. But cinnamon sugar donuts are rarely to be found in Indian markets. I wonder why because the combination of cinnamon and sugar in baked goods is just irresistible. You can try out vegan cinnamon sugar sticky buns too.
When I made these baked cinnamon sugar donuts at home, he took the first bite and said – Wao! These are exactly like I used to have in Scotland. He did not even let them rest for a while and finished all the donut holes 😀 Undoubtedly, They were really tasty, and even while writing about them, my mouth is watering. I need to bake them again – very soon.
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What is a Donut?
A donut or doughnut is a type of ring-shaped bread. It is round in shape and there is a hole at the center. The yeast dough is generally deep-fried and then sweetened with a variety of glazes or coatings like cinnamon sugar, chocolate, sugar glaze, etc. It is served as a snack in many parts of the world now and it is getting extremely popular all over. Everybody has their own way to make and eat it. For example, in India, we get mostly chocolate-coated donuts and we eat them warm. But in Europe or USA, heating a donut or eating them warm is an alien concept.
The donuts have a soft and fluffy texture.
Why baking is better than deep-frying?
I always feel that baking is better than deep-fried and the reason is not just because they are less fatty and that makes them a healthier choice. There are a couple of reasons that I prefer baking instead of deep-frying:
- It is easier. I find deep-frying a tedious task and then storing the oil or discarding it is another headache for me.
- It is said that the oil becomes toxic once it reaches the temperature needed for deep-frying. Ideally, it is supposed to be discarded. But that feels like a waste and hence we consume it. This is one reason, I avoid deep-frying unless very much needed like while making pooris or bhaturas.
- Baked donuts may feel slightly dry but we make them in small batches and freshly baked donuts taste just perfect. We do not feel the need to have deep-fried ones.
- Baked donuts feel lighter even after consuming many pieces.
Tips to bake it right
- Room Temperature: Make sure that all the ingredients are at room temperature. It is very important in baking.
- Measure Accurately: Correctly measuring the ingredients is very important. Adding extra flour is one common mistake. Just fill your measuring cup with the flour and then level it off with a knife.
- Sifting: Sift the flour. This ensures that there are no lumps in the dough.
- Overmixing: This is something that happens accidentally. Over-mixing the dough makes the donuts hard. If you are kneading by hand, knead until it becomes soft and smooth. If you are using a stand mixer, knead till it starts to leave the sides (not completely though). Touch the dough with your finger. If it doesn’t stick, that’s your clue to stop kneading.
- Temperature: Make sure the liquid is lukewarm – neither hot nor cold. If it is too hot, it will kill the yeast. If it is cold, it won’t activate the yeast. You should be able to put your finger in the water. That’s another clue!
How to store homemade Cinnamon Sugar Donuts?
You can store them in an air-tight container and leave them on the countertop for 2 days (depending on the temperature at your place). Although, since it is homemade with no chemicals or preservatives, it might be stale after 2 days. Reheat while serving. It tastes absolutely good.
You can easily refrigerate it for a week. Put it in an airtight container otherwise, it might become dry. Reheat it in the microwave and it will be soft and perfect for the evening snack.
You can even put it in the freezer for up to a month. I haven’t tried this method because ours don’t last that long and we like to bake fresh. But you can pack it well in a zip-lock bag or in an air-tight container and freeze them. Before serving, just reheat.
Having said that, they won’t last for more than a day. Trust me on this 😀
How to Reheat Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Donuts?
My preferred way is to heat them in the microwave for a few seconds. It becomes soft and feels fresh. I love it. You can even reheat them in the oven at 80 °C for a couple of minutes. But that may make them slightly dry.
Is this recipe Vegan?
No, I am afraid not. I used butter and cow milk to make this recipe and these two ingredients are not vegan or plant-based. But I will surely try a recipe for vegan donuts and share them here. Watch out for this space. It may come anytime soon.
If you want more vegan recipes, here are a few options: Banana Walnut Muffins, Mini Mango Cheesecake, Vegan Fudgy Brownie, and Italian Focaccia Bread.
More Recipes – just as good!
- Soft and Sticky Cinnamon Buns (vegan)
- 3-Ingredients Cinnamon Sugar Puffs (Vegan Palmiers)
- 4-Ingredient Apple Cinnamon Puffs
- Chocolate Cinnamon Granola
Now you are all ready to make this soft, fluffy, and eggless donuts at home, with full confidence. It is perfect for evening snacks, mid-night cravings or even to serve your guests at your next house party. They are also perfect for your sweet cravings. So, grab all the ingredients, and let’s get baking.
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Happy Baking 🙂
Love from us
Richa
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