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Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 69 reviews

These Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts are a delightful homemade treat featuring soft, fluffy twisted doughnuts fried to golden perfection and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar blend. The dough is enriched with warm milk, butter, and vanilla, then allowed to rise twice for a light texture. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, these donuts combine classic flavors with an inviting twisted shape for added charm.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 – 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

For Frying

  • 3–4 inches of vegetable oil (for deep frying)

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast: In a small bowl, stir together the warm milk and active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy and the yeast is activated.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: While waiting for the yeast, whisk the egg, melted and cooled butter, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl and set aside.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add 3 cups of the flour, granulated sugar, sea salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir to mix evenly.
  4. Mix wet and dry: Once the yeast is foamy, add the yeast-milk mixture to the wet ingredients and whisk to combine thoroughly. Pour the combined wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
  5. Form dough: Stir until the dough begins to come together, then turn the mixer on low-medium speed. If the dough does not clean the sides of the bowl, gradually add up to ½ cup more flour to achieve a soft, slightly sticky, but manageable dough.
  6. Knead dough: Continue kneading in the mixer for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  7. First rise: Lightly spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough inside, turning it to coat with spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  8. Deflate and second rise: Lightly flour a clean surface and knead the dough by hand a few times to release air. Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and let rise for another hour until slightly puffed.
  9. Prepare twisting station: Line a sheet tray with parchment paper and set aside.
  10. Shape dough twists: Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces by halving repeatedly. Work with one piece at a time on a clean, non-floured surface, rolling it into a thin rope and twisting it by rolling your hands in opposite directions. Bring the ends together, pinch tightly, and twist the shape several times to form the twist donut. Place on the prepared tray and cover with a towel. Repeat with all pieces.
  11. Rest shaped dough: Allow the twists to rest on the tray, covered, for 30 minutes for slight puffing.
  12. Heat oil: While dough rests, heat 3-4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer to 325°F.
  13. Make cinnamon sugar topping: In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until combined.
  14. Fry donuts: Fry 3-4 donuts at a time in the hot oil for about 5 minutes total, turning occasionally until golden brown on all sides.
  15. Toss in sugar coating: Remove donuts from oil and drain excess oil by letting them drip. Immediately toss each donut individually in the cinnamon sugar mixture to evenly coat.
  16. Cool and serve: Place coated donuts on a wire rack set over a sheet tray to keep the exterior crisp as you fry the remaining donuts. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Make sure the milk is warm (around 110°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • You can adjust the amount of cinnamon in the coating mix to taste for a stronger or milder cinnamon flavor.
  • Keep the dough covered during rising to prevent it from drying out.
  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for even frying and prevent greasy donuts.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until smooth.

Keywords: cinnamon donuts, twisted donuts, homemade donuts, fried donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, breakfast treat

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/cinnamon-sugar-twist-donuts-recipe/