Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
There’s something purely magical about tearing apart a warm, fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donut, releasing that heady cloud of sweet vanilla and cinnamon into the air. If you’ve ever wanted to recreate that perfect bakery experience in your very own kitchen, you’re going to love this recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts. With their soft, pull-apart texture and dazzling sugar coat, these treats turn any morning into a celebration. Let’s get you twisting, frying, and savoring every sugary bite of these irresistible homemade donuts.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Making amazing Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts surprisingly doesn’t call for anything too fancy, just a few pantry staples that work together to create magic. Each ingredient brings its own touch—whether it’s color, flavor, or that pillowy dough texture you crave.
- Warm milk (1 cup, 110°F): The warmth activates the yeast, starting the dough on its path to being light and airy.
- Active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons): This leavens the dough, creating those wonderful bubbles and rise.
- Egg (1 large): Adds richness, color, and structure to the dough.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons, melted and cooled): Lends moisture and a delicate, buttery flavor to every bite.
- Vanilla (2 teaspoons): For beautiful aroma and that classic donut bakery warmth.
- All-purpose flour (3 to 3 ½ cups): The foundation of our donuts, giving them structure with just enough chew.
- Granulated sugar (⅔ cup, dough): Adds gentle sweetness and feeds the yeast for the perfect rise.
- Fine sea salt (¾ teaspoon): Rounds out flavors and heightens every sweet note.
- Ground cinnamon (½ teaspoon in dough): Subtle warmth baked into every bite.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup, for topping): Helps form that iconic sweet, crackling crust.
- Light brown sugar (3 tablespoons, packed, for topping): Deepens the sugar coating with caramel-like notes.
- Ground cinnamon (1 ½ tablespoons, for topping): Because you can never have too much cinnamon with your sugar twist donuts!
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Pour your warm milk into a bowl and sprinkle over the active dry yeast. Give it a gentle stir and let it bubble away for about 5 minutes. When the mixture looks frothy and foamy, you’ll know the yeast is ready to give your Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts all the lift they’ll ever need.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
While your yeast is activating, grab a new bowl and whisk together the egg, melted (but cooled!) butter, and vanilla. Set this aside, and take a moment to appreciate how deliciously fragrant this blend already is.
Step 3: Prep the Dry Ingredients
In the bowl of your stand mixer, add 3 cups of flour, the ⅔ cup granulated sugar, fine sea salt, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Give them a quick mix using the dough hook—smell that cinnamon already igniting your senses?
Step 4: Bring the Dough Together
Once that yeast is frothy, pour it into your egg and butter mixture. Whisk until well-blended, then add these combined wet ingredients to the flour mixture in the stand mixer bowl.
Step 5: Mix and Adjust
Use your mixer’s dough hook on medium-low, blending until a dough forms and starts to pull away from the bowl’s sides. If the dough seems sticky, add up to another ½ cup flour in small portions until the dough is soft, slightly tacky, but no longer clinging to the bowl.
Step 6: Knead Until Smooth
Keep the mixer kneading for a full 5 minutes. You’re looking for a dough that’s soft yet smooth, with just a hint of stickiness.
Step 7: First Rise
Lightly spray a large bowl and place your dough inside, turning to coat its surface with a fine layer of oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm spot until doubled in size—about 1 hour. The wait is worth it!
Step 8: Punch Down and Second Rise
Once your dough is blissfully puffy, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter and knead gently a few times to tease out any air bubbles. Return to the bowl, re-cover, and let rise a second time for another hour. This double rising is what gives Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts their superb texture.
Step 9: Prep for Twisting
Line a baking sheet with parchment, ready for your artfully twisted doughnuts. Trust me, this step keeps everything from sticking when it’s time to fry.
Step 10: Shape the Twists
Turn your dough onto a clean, non-floured surface. Divide it in half, then halve each piece again, continuing until you have 16 equal-sized pieces. Working with one at a time (keep the rest under a towel), roll each into a rope. Twist the rope by rolling your hands in opposite directions, then fold and twist again before pinching the ends together to hold the shape. Lay each twist on the prepared tray and repeat until all are shaped.
Step 11: Final Proof
Cover your future Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts with a kitchen towel. Let them puff for an additional 30 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how pillowy they become!
Step 12: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
While your donuts rest, mix the topping. In a large bowl, combine ½ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1½ tablespoons of vibrant ground cinnamon. This will be the sparkling crown of every donut.
Step 13: Fry and Sugar the Donuts
Heat about 3–4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer to 325°F. Add 3–4 donuts at a time, cooking until golden (about 5 minutes), turning to brown evenly. Let them drain just briefly—then immediately toss each warm twist in your cinnamon sugar mixture so it sticks beautifully.
Step 14: Cool and Enjoy
Let your sugared donuts rest on a wire rack set over a tray to keep them crisp. Now, hustle to serve—because fresh Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts never last long!
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts

Garnishes
A fresh batch of Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts shines with just their classic sparkly coat, but you can amp things up with a drizzle of vanilla glaze, a bit of melted chocolate, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For something extra special, a sprinkle of crushed candied nuts adds texture and a grown-up twist.
Side Dishes
Pair these donuts with a velvety café latte, a cup of rich hot chocolate, or even a tangy fruit salad for a balanced treat. Their sweet warmth also plays beautifully alongside a platter of fresh berries or a simple bowl of vanilla yogurt.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the twists tall on a rustic platter, serve them in a bakery-style paper bag for brunch, or thread them onto skewers for a fun party snack. For gatherings, arrange the Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts in a donut tower centerpiece—eye-catching and completely irresistible.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (a rare occurrence!), store cooled Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Place a paper towel in the container to help absorb moisture and keep them at their best.
Freezing
These donuts freeze surprisingly well! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. You can freeze them for up to two months. Avoid freezing the donuts while they’re still warm, as this can create sogginess.
Reheating
To revitalize stored or frozen donuts, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes. This restores their gentle crispness and brings that unforgettable aroma back to life. If reheating from frozen, allow an extra couple of minutes.
FAQs
Can I make these Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand on a clean countertop. It’s a fun workout, and your efforts will be well-rewarded with perfectly chewy, light twists.
What type of oil works best for frying?
For Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts, a neutral oil with a high smoke point—like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil—guarantees crisp, golden exteriors without any overpowering flavors.
Do I have to twist the donuts, or can I make rounds?
The twist shape isn’t just for looks; it creates extra surface area for all that delicious cinnamon sugar. However, you can certainly form rounds or sticks if you prefer—they’ll taste just as delightful!
Why do my donuts seem a bit oily after frying?
Donuts can absorb oil if the frying temperature is too low. Make sure your oil is at a steady 325°F before frying each batch. Using a thermometer helps a lot!
Is it possible to prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can do the first rise and then refrigerate the covered dough overnight. Bring it back to room temperature and complete the second rise in the morning for fresh Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts whenever you like.
Final Thoughts
There’s just nothing like a warm batch of Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts to turn an ordinary day into an absolute treat. When you make these at home, you’re not just baking—you’re creating memorable moments that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Give them a try and let your kitchen smell like the best bakery in town!
PrintCinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
Indulge in these homemade Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts that are crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, and coated in a delightful cinnamon sugar topping. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat anytime!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 16 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Doughnuts:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 – 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoons fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 ½ Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: Stir together the milk and yeast, let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: Whisk egg, butter, and vanilla in a bowl.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a mixer bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add activated yeast mixture to wet ingredients, then mix with dry ingredients.
- Knead Dough: Mix until dough forms and cleans sides of the bowl. Knead for 5 minutes.
- Rise Dough: Let dough double in size, about 1 hour.
- Shape Dough: Divide dough, roll into twists, and form into doughnuts.
- Rest Dough: Let doughnuts rise again, about 30 minutes.
- Prepare Topping: Mix sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Fry Doughnuts: Fry twists until golden, then coat in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve: Enjoy the crispy, sweet Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts!
Notes
- For best results, serve the donuts fresh and warm.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon sugar coating to suit your taste preferences.
- Be cautious when working with hot oil for frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts, Homemade Donuts, Breakfast Treat, Sweet Treat, Cinnamon Sugar Coating