Baked Cinnamon Donut Recipe

With the holiday season upon us I really want to share recipes that are quick, affordable, not too complicated AND above all D-LICIOUS!!  Donuts are brilliant for taking along to share or just a special treat for you & your family.

This baked cinnamon donut recipe is by one of my favorite bakers, Barefoot Contessa.  For many years I have relied and trusted her knowledge and ability above all others.  Whenever I’m hoping to get a handle on a new idea or concept I ALWAYS turn to her recipes to start me off!  Trust me when I say this recipe does not disappoint.  What I love most about making these donuts is all the ingredients can be found in my kitchen year round. I can whip up a batch of donuts as easily as pancakes!!

After a bit of trial and ahem, errors, I added a couple my own tips that pretty much makes this beginner recipe foolproof!  Okay so let’s BAKE!

BAKED CINNAMON DONUT INGREDIENTS:

• COOKING SPRAY
• 2 C FLOUR
• 1 ¹⁄₂ C SUGAR
• 2 tsp BAKING POWDER
• 1 tsp CINNAMON
• ¹⁄₂ tsp NUTMEG
• ¹⁄₂ tsp SALT
• 1 EGG, LIGHTLY BEATEN
• 1 ¹⁄₄ C WHOLE MILK
• 2 TBSP UNSALTED MELTED BUTTER
• 2 tsp VANILLA

TOPPING:

• 8 Tbsp (1 stick) UNSALTED BUTTER
• ¹⁄₂ C SUGAR
• ¹⁄₂ tsp CINNAMON

EQUIPMENT:

• LARGE BOWL
• 2 SMALL BOWLS
• WHISK
• 2 DONUT PANS
• SMALL SAUTE PAN

TO MAKE:

1. 1. Preheat oven 350℉.  Spray 2 donut pans with non-stick spray. I use Wilton tins found on Amazon.
   2. In a large bowl combine/sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
   3. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.  Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients just until combined ( I found using a whisk did the trick). **TIP let batter stand about 10 mins before adding to pans.  The delay made the dounts a lot fluffier.
   4. Spoon batter into sprayed baking pans.  Fill a little more than halfway, over filling might result in a “muffin top” effect on the sides (I did this on a couple.  With my neurotic tendencies I made a mental note to be careful in the future.)
   5. Bake 15-17 mins. Donuts are ready when toothpick comes out clean.

**TIP Careful not to over bake!  Too much time in the oven even 1 minute will make the donuts tough.

Cool for 5 mins. Remove from pan onto a cooling rack or baking sheet.  I put a bit of wax paper under the rack to make cleanup a snap.

TO MAKE TOPPING:

Melt 8 tablespoons unsalted butter into small sauté pan.  In a small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon.  Dip each donut first in butter and then in the cinnamon sugar.  You can do one or both sides.  I did both sides and while I thought it was too sweet for me, everyone else loved it.

**TIP Be sure to use unsalted butter.  I used salted butter my 1st time making them ummm because it’s all I had but the salt does come through.  But hey, in my house the salty/sweet combo went down with rave reviews.

Be sure to bake these yummy donuts for someone you love…and remember, it’s okay to love yourself!