Cinnamon Twisted Donut Recipe

These Cinnamon Twisted Donuts are a delightful and soft treat, featuring a sweet dough that’s fried to golden perfection and coated with a generous layer of cinnamon sugar. With their beautiful twisted shape and irresistible cinnamon flavor, these donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon snack. Best of all, they’re simple to make at home, giving you that fresh-from-the-bakery taste!

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Twisted Donut Recipe

• Soft & Fluffy: The yeast dough creates a light and airy donut with a perfectly crisp exterior and soft, fluffy inside.
• Irresistible Cinnamon Flavor: Coated in cinnamon sugar, these donuts have a warm, sweet flavor that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
• Fun Twisted Shape: Twisting the dough adds a beautiful, fun shape to these donuts, making them look as good as they taste.
• Easy to Make at Home: While they may look fancy, these donuts are simple to prepare, using basic ingredients you likely have on hand.

Key Ingredients for Cinnamon Twisted Donuts

1. All-Purpose Flour

• All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough, giving the donuts structure and a soft, tender texture.

2. Yeast

• Active dry yeast helps the dough rise, making the donuts light and fluffy.

3. Milk

• Warm milk provides moisture to the dough and helps activate the yeast for a soft, tender donut.

4. Butter

• Butter adds richness to the dough and helps keep the donuts moist.

5. Cinnamon Sugar

• A mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar coats the donuts after frying, giving them their signature warm and sweet flavor.

How to Make Cinnamon Twisted Donuts

This recipe yields light and fluffy donuts with a cinnamon-sugar coating that will have you coming back for more. Here’s how to make them:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

• In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F) and 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the yeast mixture, 1/2 cup warm milk, 2 large eggs, and 4 tablespoons melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
• Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Shape the Donuts

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut the dough into 1-inch wide strips, about 6-8 inches long.
• Twist each strip of dough by holding each end and twisting in opposite directions. Pinch the ends together to secure the twist. Place the twisted donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 30-40 minutes until puffy.

Step 3: Fry the Donuts

• In a large, deep pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the twisted donuts, 2-3 at a time, for 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 4: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

• In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. While the donuts are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

Step 5: Serve

• Serve the cinnamon twisted donuts warm, fresh from the fryer. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!

Tips for Making the Best Cinnamon Twisted Donuts

1. Activate the Yeast Properly

• Make sure your milk is warm but not too hot (around 110°F) to activate the yeast properly. If the yeast doesn’t foam after 5-10 minutes, it may be dead, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.

2. Knead the Dough

• Kneading the dough develops the gluten, which gives the donuts their soft, chewy texture. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

3. Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer

• Fry the donuts in batches, leaving enough space between them to fry evenly. Overcrowding the pot can cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in greasy donuts.

4. Use a Candy Thermometer

• Keep a close eye on the oil temperature and use a candy thermometer to maintain it around 350°F. If the oil is too hot, the donuts will burn; if it’s too cool, they’ll absorb too much oil.

5. Serve Fresh

• Cinnamon twisted donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm. They can be stored for a day or two, but they lose their crispness over time.

Recipe Variations

1. Glazed Cinnamon Twisted Donuts

• Instead of coating the donuts in cinnamon sugar, dip them in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.

2. Chocolate Dipped Twisted Donuts

• Dip the twisted donuts in melted chocolate for a rich and indulgent treat. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts or sprinkles on top for added texture.

3. Filled Twisted Donuts

• After frying, fill the donuts with pastry cream, chocolate ganache, or jam by piping the filling into the center of the twist.

4. Pumpkin Spice Twisted Donuts

• Replace the cinnamon in the sugar coating with a mixture of pumpkin pie spice for a fall-inspired twist.

FAQs: Cinnamon Twisted Donuts

1. Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?

• Yes! You can make the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, shape and fry the donuts as directed.

2. Can I Bake the Donuts Instead of Frying?

• Yes, for a healthier version, you can bake the twisted donuts at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Brush them with melted butter before baking for a soft, golden finish.

3. How Do I Store Leftover Donuts?

• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can reheat them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes to freshen them up.

4. Can I Freeze Twisted Donuts?

• Yes, you can freeze the dough before frying or freeze the cooked donuts. Thaw and fry or reheat in the oven when ready to enjoy