When you think of doughnuts, what comes to mind? The rich, deep-fried dough that’s crisp on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, coated in sugar and spice? If you’ve ever craved the indulgence of churros but longed for the lightness of beignets, then these Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts will exceed your expectations. This recipe offers the best of both worlds: a golden, crispy exterior with a fluffy, tender interior that’s bursting with the warm sweetness of cinnamon and sugar.
PrintCinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts: A Perfect Blend of Crunch and Softness
When you think of doughnuts, what comes to mind? The rich, deep-fried dough that’s crisp on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, coated in sugar and spice? If you’ve ever craved the indulgence of churros but longed for the lightness of beignets, then these Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts will exceed your expectations. This recipe offers the best of both worlds: a golden, crispy exterior with a fluffy, tender interior that’s bursting with the warm sweetness of cinnamon and sugar.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 doughnut twists 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (warmed to 110°F): Milk is the base of the dough and helps activate the yeast, giving the dough its soft texture.
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (or instant yeast): This will help the dough rise and give it that light, fluffy texture.
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (38 g): Sugar is essential for activating the yeast and adding sweetness to the dough.
- 1 large egg (room temperature): The egg binds the ingredients and adds richness to the dough.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (520 g): The foundation of the dough, giving it structure.
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the doughnuts.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (84 g), softened: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Vegetable oil (for frying): This ensures the doughnuts crisp up on the outside while staying fluffy on the inside.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g): This sweetens the doughnuts after they’ve been fried.
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The signature spice that gives the doughnuts their warm, aromatic flavor.
Instructions
1. Preparing the Dough
Start by activating the yeast. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the whole milk, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Allow this mixture to sit for 5 minutes. During this time, the yeast will begin to foam, indicating it’s activated and ready to work its magic on the dough.
Once the yeast has activated, whisk in the egg until it’s fully incorporated into the mixture.
Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. With the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer, slowly add about one-third of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while the mixer is running on low speed. Once the dough begins to come together, add the next third of the flour mixture. Then, add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue until the butter is fully incorporated.
At this point, the dough will be sticky—don’t worry! Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is mixed together.
Finally, add the remaining third of the flour mixture, and increase the mixer speed to medium. Knead the dough for 3 to 5 minutes until it’s smooth and soft. It should still be a little sticky, but easy to scrape off the sides of the bowl. Be careful not to add more flour at this stage, as the dough should retain its slight stickiness.
2. Let the Dough Rise
Once the dough is kneaded, transfer it to a large, greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in volume. During this resting period, the dough will rise, becoming light and airy.
3. Shape the Doughnuts
Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it by pressing it down with your hands. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Loosely cover the dough with a kitchen towel while you work on shaping the doughnuts.
For each piece of dough, roll it into a 14-inch-long strip. To create the twist shape, hold both ends of the strip and roll one hand upward while simultaneously rolling the other hand downward. This will naturally twist the dough, creating a tight, spiral shape. Pinch the ends together and place the twisted dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining dough, covering the twists with a towel as you work. Let the doughnuts rest for 8-10 minutes while you prepare the oil.
4. Heat the Oil
In a heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven or cast iron pan), pour in 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil. Attach a kitchen thermometer to the side of the pot, and heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. Monitoring the temperature of the oil is crucial, as it will fluctuate when you add the raw doughnuts.
5. Fry the Doughnuts
Carefully drop two or three doughnut twists into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the doughnuts for about 95 seconds on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. The doughnuts will puff up as they fry, forming that golden, crunchy crust.
Once fried, transfer the doughnuts to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain off any excess oil. Continue frying the remaining doughnuts in batches.
6. Coat the Doughnuts in Cinnamon Sugar
While the doughnuts are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating them generously on all sides. The cinnamon sugar coating adds the perfect amount of sweetness and spice, complementing the doughnut’s rich, buttery flavor.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
These cinnamon sugar twist doughnuts are best enjoyed immediately, while they’re still warm and crispy. The outside is perfectly crunchy, while the inside remains soft and fluffy—making each bite a delightful experience. Serve them on their own or with a hot cup of coffee for a delicious breakfast or snack.
Notes
- Shaping the Doughnuts: If you don’t feel like twisting the dough, try rolling it into a 14-inch strip, folding it in half, and braiding the dough together to form twists. The method in the instructions results in a tighter twist, but feel free to experiment with shapes like rounds or squares for a different look.
- Make-Ahead Dough: If you’re short on time, you can prepare the dough a day in advance. After the dough has risen, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to fry, simply let the dough come to room temperature before shaping and frying.
- Oil Temperature: Maintaining the correct oil temperature is key for crispy doughnuts. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw inside. If the oil is too cool, they may absorb too much oil and become greasy. A thermometer will help you keep the oil temperature in check.
Whether you’re making them for a weekend breakfast treat or a special occasion, these doughnuts are sure to impress with their light, airy texture and irresistible cinnamon sugar coating. And the best part? They’re fun to make, allowing you to get creative with shapes like twists, rounds, or even squares. Let’s dive into this detailed guide and explore how to bring these delicious doughnuts to life in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts
There’s something magical about homemade doughnuts, especially when they’re fresh out of the fryer. These Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts capture the joy of that fresh, crispy bite, and combine it with the addictive warmth of cinnamon and sugar. The dough itself is soft, slightly sweet, and just a little buttery, making it the perfect base for this classic flavor combination.
With a light, airy center, these doughnuts strike the right balance between being indulgent yet not overwhelmingly heavy. Each twist you pull from the fryer is golden brown and perfectly crispy, making each bite a satisfying crunch. Whether you shape them into twists, braids, or rounds, every piece is coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mix that elevates the overall flavor, making it impossible to stop at just one.
Ingredients Breakdown
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (warmed to 110°F): Milk is the base of the dough and helps activate the yeast, giving the dough its soft texture.
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (or instant yeast): This will help the dough rise and give it that light, fluffy texture.
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (38 g): Sugar is essential for activating the yeast and adding sweetness to the dough.
- 1 large egg (room temperature): The egg binds the ingredients and adds richness to the dough.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (520 g): The foundation of the dough, giving it structure.
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the doughnuts.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (84 g), softened: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Vegetable oil (for frying): This ensures the doughnuts crisp up on the outside while staying fluffy on the inside.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g): This sweetens the doughnuts after they’ve been fried.
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The signature spice that gives the doughnuts their warm, aromatic flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preparing the Dough
Start by activating the yeast. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the whole milk, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Allow this mixture to sit for 5 minutes. During this time, the yeast will begin to foam, indicating it’s activated and ready to work its magic on the dough.
Once the yeast has activated, whisk in the egg until it’s fully incorporated into the mixture.
Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. With the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer, slowly add about one-third of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while the mixer is running on low speed. Once the dough begins to come together, add the next third of the flour mixture. Then, add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue until the butter is fully incorporated.
At this point, the dough will be sticky—don’t worry! Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is mixed together.
Finally, add the remaining third of the flour mixture, and increase the mixer speed to medium. Knead the dough for 3 to 5 minutes until it’s smooth and soft. It should still be a little sticky, but easy to scrape off the sides of the bowl. Be careful not to add more flour at this stage, as the dough should retain its slight stickiness.
2. Let the Dough Rise
Once the dough is kneaded, transfer it to a large, greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in volume. During this resting period, the dough will rise, becoming light and airy.
3. Shape the Doughnuts
Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it by pressing it down with your hands. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Loosely cover the dough with a kitchen towel while you work on shaping the doughnuts.
For each piece of dough, roll it into a 14-inch-long strip. To create the twist shape, hold both ends of the strip and roll one hand upward while simultaneously rolling the other hand downward. This will naturally twist the dough, creating a tight, spiral shape. Pinch the ends together and place the twisted dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining dough, covering the twists with a towel as you work. Let the doughnuts rest for 8-10 minutes while you prepare the oil.
4. Heat the Oil
In a heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven or cast iron pan), pour in 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil. Attach a kitchen thermometer to the side of the pot, and heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. Monitoring the temperature of the oil is crucial, as it will fluctuate when you add the raw doughnuts.
5. Fry the Doughnuts
Carefully drop two or three doughnut twists into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the doughnuts for about 95 seconds on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. The doughnuts will puff up as they fry, forming that golden, crunchy crust.
Once fried, transfer the doughnuts to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain off any excess oil. Continue frying the remaining doughnuts in batches.
6. Coat the Doughnuts in Cinnamon Sugar
While the doughnuts are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating them generously on all sides. The cinnamon sugar coating adds the perfect amount of sweetness and spice, complementing the doughnut’s rich, buttery flavor.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
These cinnamon sugar twist doughnuts are best enjoyed immediately, while they’re still warm and crispy. The outside is perfectly crunchy, while the inside remains soft and fluffy—making each bite a delightful experience. Serve them on their own or with a hot cup of coffee for a delicious breakfast or snack.
Tips and Variations
- Shaping the Doughnuts: If you don’t feel like twisting the dough, try rolling it into a 14-inch strip, folding it in half, and braiding the dough together to form twists. The method in the instructions results in a tighter twist, but feel free to experiment with shapes like rounds or squares for a different look.
- Make-Ahead Dough: If you’re short on time, you can prepare the dough a day in advance. After the dough has risen, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to fry, simply let the dough come to room temperature before shaping and frying.
- Oil Temperature: Maintaining the correct oil temperature is key for crispy doughnuts. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw inside. If the oil is too cool, they may absorb too much oil and become greasy. A thermometer will help you keep the oil temperature in check.
Conclusion
These Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts are the perfect indulgence for any doughnut lover. With their crispy, golden exterior and light, fluffy interior, they’re a treat you’ll crave again and again. The sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar coating adds the final touch of warmth, making each bite a comforting, delicious experience. Whether you serve them for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon snack, these doughnuts will definitely be the star of the show. So gather your ingredients, heat up that oil, and get ready to enjoy one of the most satisfying homemade treats you’ve ever made!
