Whip up a batch of these irresistible cinnamon sugar donut holes for a delightful treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert. These quick donut holes are incredibly easy to make, offering a tender, cake-like texture coated in a sweet, warmly spiced cinnamon sugar mixture.
There’s something incredibly comforting and satisfying about a freshly made donut, and these cinnamon sugar donut holes are no exception. They capture that classic donut shop flavor in a bite-sized package, making them a guaranteed hit with family and friends. This simple donut hole recipe uses no yeast, so you can enjoy warm donut holes without the long wait.
What Are Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes?
These delightful little treats are essentially miniature, cake-style donuts coated generously in a sweet and fragrant cinnamon sugar blend. They are baked, not fried, making them a slightly healthier, yet equally delicious, alternative to traditional donuts. You can find similar recipes for baked donut holes that offer a wonderful texture and flavor.
They boast a tender, cakey interior and a delightful crunch from the sugary coating. These sweet donut holes are perfect for a weekend brunch, a fun afternoon snack, or even as a simple dessert that feels special. The aroma alone of cinnamon and sugar baking is enough to make any kitchen feel like home.
Don’t miss out on our guide to Cinnamon Sugar Cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Donut Hole Recipe
This easy donut hole recipe is a game-changer for anyone craving homemade donuts without the fuss. It’s a no-yeast recipe, meaning you can go from craving to enjoying these delicious treats in under an hour. The process is straightforward, making it an ideal baking project for bakers of all skill levels.
The result is a batch of soft, flavorful mini donuts recipe that are incredibly versatile. They are perfect served warm, dusted with that irresistible cinnamon sugar, but can also be elevated with a simple glaze. For those seeking even more flavor inspiration, exploring variations on cinnamon sugar donuts can offer new ideas.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step to baking your own batch of the best donut holes. Most of these pantry staples are likely already in your kitchen, making this a truly convenient recipe.
Another favorite of ours is the How To Cream Butter And Sugar.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for coating
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk (whole milk or 2% recommended for richness)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Creating these delightful cinnamon sugar donut holes is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these steps for perfectly baked treats every time.
Prepare Your Donut Pans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing two mini donut pans. If you don’t have mini donut pans, a standard muffin tin can be used, though the baking time may vary slightly. Proper preparation ensures your baked cinnamon sugar donut holes release easily after baking.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt. Ensure these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to distribute the leavening agent evenly. This step is crucial for achieving a consistent texture in your homemade donut holes.
If you enjoyed this, you might also love our Grilled Nectarine Brown Sugar recipe.
Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, ¼ cup melted butter, the large egg, and vanilla extract. Beat until the egg is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. This combination will form the moist base for your delicious dessert donut holes.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher donut holes.
Fill the Donut Pans
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared mini donut pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. Using a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off can make this step neater and easier. This ensures your mini donuts recipe bakes up with a nice, rounded shape.
If you enjoyed this, you might also love our How To Make Ice Cream At Home recipe.
Bake the Donut Holes
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut hole comes out clean. The edges should be lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as small baked goods can go from perfectly done to overcooked very quickly.
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While the donut holes are baking or cooling slightly, prepare the cinnamon sugar coating. In a shallow bowl, combine the melted ½ cup butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Stir well until all the sugar is moistened and the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
Coat the Warm Donut Holes
Once the donut holes are cool enough to handle but still warm, gently remove them from the pans. Dip each donut hole into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. The warmth of the donut holes will help the coating adhere beautifully, creating those signature sugar coated donut holes.
If you enjoyed this, you might also love our How To Fold Ingredients Without Deflating recipe.
Cool and Serve
Place the coated donut holes on a wire rack to cool slightly. These are best enjoyed warm, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to be at its softest. Serve your delicious homemade donut holes immediately for the ultimate treat.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
Achieving perfect cinnamon sugar donut holes is all about a few key details. Paying attention to these simple tips will elevate your baking and ensure consistently delicious results.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter is the most common mistake when making cake donuts. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet ingredients. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best lift. Stale baking powder will result in dense, heavy donut holes. You can test its freshness by adding a teaspoon to a bit of hot water; it should bubble vigorously.
- Accurate Measuring: Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can pack too much flour, leading to dry donut holes.
- Pan Choice: While mini donut pans are ideal, you can also use a mini muffin tin or even create dollops of batter directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet for rustic, freeform donut holes. Adjust baking time as needed for different shapes.
- Coating Technique: For an extra thick coating, you can dip the warm donut holes into the melted butter first, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. This creates a double-layered, extra indulgent treat.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These warm donut holes are truly a treat when served fresh from the oven, but they also offer flexibility for planning ahead.
Don’t miss out on our guide to How To Prepare A Cake Pan To Prevent Sticking.
Serving Ideas: Enjoy these delightful breakfast donut holes on their own with a cup of coffee or tea. They also pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or as a sweet ending to a meal. For a more elaborate presentation, consider a simple cinnamon sugar glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Storage: Cinnamon sugar donut holes are best enjoyed the same day they are made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They may lose some of their crispness over time. Reheating them gently in a low oven or toaster oven for a few minutes can help revive their texture.
Print
cinnamon sugar donut holes Recipe
- Total Time: PT22M
- Yield: 24 donut holes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Whip up a batch of these irresistible cinnamon sugar donut holes for a quick and delightful homemade treat. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any time a sweet craving strikes!
Ingredients
- 1 tube (8 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Separate the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Dip each biscuit quarter into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Roll the butter-coated biscuit pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly covered.
- Place the coated biscuit pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
- Let the donut holes cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving.
Notes
- For an extra decadent touch, you can drizzle them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
- These are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT12M
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 donut holes
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
