Name: Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ⅔ cup granulated sugar; ¾ teaspoons fine sea salt; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ cup granulated sugar; 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar (packed); 1 ½ Tablespoon ground cinnamon; 3-4 inches of vegetable oil (for frying)

There's something simply magical about biting into a warm, cinnamon-coated treat that melts in your mouth. This Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe combines that cozy cinnamon flavor with a fun twisted shape that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. Trust me, once you try these, they'll become a breakfast staple you’ll want to make again and again.

A large pile of twisted doughnuts covered in light brown cinnamon sugar sits on white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. The doughnuts are golden brown with a slightly rough texture from the cinnamon sugar coating. Around the doughnuts, there are several whole cinnamon sticks scattered. In the background, two clear glass cups filled with dark black coffee rest on the white marbled surface, accompanied by a white cloth with a black stripe. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the first time I made these cinnamon sugar twists, I was hooked. The dough is soft yet sturdy enough to hold their fun twisted shape, and the cinnamon sugar coating is the perfect sweet finish. Making them feels like a cozy weekend ritual more than a chore.

Unique Twist: The twist shape isn't just pretty—it helps hold onto that cinnamon sugar, giving you maximum flavor with every bite.
Perfectly Soft Dough: The use of warm milk and yeast creates a soft, tender dough that’s easy to handle and satisfies any comfort food craving.
Simple Ingredients: These donuts use pantry staples, so you probably have everything you need without a special trip to the store.
A Fun Baking Experience: Rolling and twisting the dough adds a bit of hands-on fun—perfect if you want to get the whole family involved.

A pile of twisted doughnuts covered in a fine layer of cinnamon sugar lies on crumpled white parchment paper. These doughnuts are golden brown with a crispy texture and are sprinkled evenly with the sugar spice mix. Cinnamon sticks are scattered around the base of the doughnuts and placed artfully on top, adding a warm brown contrast. Two clear glass cups filled with dark black coffee sit near the top edge, all set on a warm wooden surface with a beige woven cloth casually draped on the left side. The scene has a cozy and inviting feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in the success of this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe, blending together classic flavors for a comforting treat. Here's a little bit about why you’ll want to keep each on hand and some shopping tips to keep in mind.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk with a light foam on top, a small white ceramic bowl with active dry yeast granules beside the milk, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter with a golden-yellow color, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract with a rich amber tone, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour as a fine white powder, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar sparkling white crystals, a small white ceramic bowl of fine sea salt with tiny white grains, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon in a warm brown powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing a blend of light brown sugar with soft clumps, a small white ceramic bowl of additional granulated sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl of the cinnamon sugar topping mix showing both brown and white sugar with cinnamon powder on top, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Warm Milk: Warming milk to 110°F activates the yeast just right without killing it, ensuring your dough rises beautifully.
Active Dry Yeast: The engine behind that soft, airy dough, giving your twists their perfect texture.
Large Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough for a tender crumb.
Unsalted Butter: Melted and cooled butter lends flavor and keeps the dough moist without interfering with yeast activity.
Vanilla Extract: A subtle note that complements the cinnamon beautifully, making every bite more fragrant.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your dough; make sure to measure well to avoid toughness or stickiness.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and works in the topping for that irresistible crunch.
Fine Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Ground Cinnamon: You want the best quality here; fresh cinnamon really makes a difference in taste and aroma.
Light Brown Sugar: For that deeper, molasses-y sweetness in the cinnamon sugar coating.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love adding my own twists to this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe. Sometimes I sprinkle a little nutmeg into the dough for a cozy fall vibe, or swap out the vanilla for almond extract when I’m feeling adventurous. You’ll find that these donuts are a versatile canvas—feel free to customize!

Chocolate Twist: Once your donuts are fried and coated in cinnamon sugar, drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra indulgence. My kids adore this version during holiday mornings.
Spicy Cinnamon: Add a pinch of cayenne or ground ginger to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a little kick—great if you like a sweet-spicy combo.
Gluten-Free Option: I’ve experimented swapping half the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend; it works, but the texture is slightly different, so take it slow!
Baked Instead of Fried: If frying isn’t your thing, you can bake these styled twists at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes, but you'll miss the crispiness of frying.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast

Start by stirring the warm milk and yeast together, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy and bubbly. This little stage is like your dough’s green light—if the yeast doesn’t foam, it’s best to start over. I always keep an eye on the temperature of the milk; too hot and it kills the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate.

Step 2: Mix Your Wet & Dry Ingredients

While the yeast activates, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Then, in your stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon until evenly mixed. Once the yeast is foamy, add it to your wet ingredients, then pour the combined wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Start mixing until it begins to come together.

Step 3: Knead Into a Soft Dough

Put your mixer on medium-low speed with the dough hook attachment and knead for 5 minutes. The dough should pull away from the bowl sides but stay slightly sticky and soft. If it’s still wet and sticky, sprinkle in some extra flour, just a little at a time. I’ve learned that the dough’s feel is more important than exact measurements here—soft and springy is your goal.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise Twice

Transfer the dough to a spray-coated bowl so it won’t stick, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and set it in a warm spot to rise until doubled—about an hour. After that, knead it gently a few times on a floured surface to release air bubbles, then cover it again and let it rise a second time. This double-rise makes your twists tender and fluffy.

Step 5: Shape the Twists

Cut the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist it by rolling your hands in opposite directions, then loop the ends together and give a few more twists for that perfect shape. I find working quickly and keeping the unused dough covered prevents it from drying out.

Step 6: Fry & Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

After letting the twists rest for 30 minutes, heat oil to 325°F and fry 3-4 donuts at a time until golden, turning them so both sides get that perfect color. Toss them immediately in the cinnamon sugar mixture while they're still warm to get that lovely coating. Using a wire rack helps them stay crisp as they cool.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe, timing and temperature are everything. Here are some tricks I picked up that made a huge difference in my baking adventures:

Milk Temperature Matters: Keep it around 110°F—too hot and the yeast won’t survive, too cool and it won’t activate well.
Kneading Consistency: Don’t rush the kneading; 5 minutes by stand mixer gives your dough that perfect smooth texture.
Oil Temperature Control: I use a deep fryer thermometer to keep the oil steady at 325°F—otherwise, donuts can cook unevenly or absorb too much oil.
Don’t Skimp on the Cinnamon Sugar: Toss each donut immediately after frying to lock in that crisp, sweet coating; waiting too long can make the coating sloppy.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with a good dusting of cinnamon sugar, but on special mornings, I love a drizzle of warm honey or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Sometimes, a few chopped toasted pecans or slivered almonds add a nice crunch and nutty twist.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon sugar twists pair beautifully with a cup of cinnamon-spiced coffee or chai tea. For a heartier breakfast, I serve them alongside scrambled eggs or fresh fruit salad—makes for a balanced and tasty morning!

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I arrange these twists in a spiral on a large platter, garnished with fresh mint leaves or edible flowers—makes an eye-catching centerpiece. Wrapping them individually in parchment paper tied with twine works wonderfully for gifting or grab-and-go treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To maintain their crisp edge, I add a piece of bread to the container—this little trick helps keep them from going stale too quickly.

Freezing

These donuts freeze beautifully! After frying and cooling, I freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When I want a treat, I just thaw them at room temperature or gently reheat to bring back that fresh-baked softness.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop donuts in a toaster oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes—it crisps the outside while keeping the inside soft and warm. If you’re in a hurry, 20-30 seconds in the microwave works, but watch out—it can make them a bit chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand. It will take a bit more elbow grease—knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

What’s the best oil to use for frying these donuts?

I recommend neutral oils with high smoke points like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. They won’t interfere with the flavor and handle the heat well.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake the twists at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, but keep in mind they won’t have the same crisp exterior that frying gives. To get closer to the fried texture, brush them lightly with melted butter before baking.

How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?

Using a deep-fry thermometer is the most reliable way. If you don’t have one, test with a small piece of dough—it should bubble gently and float up quickly without browning too fast.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of slow, joyful mornings spent baking with family. It’s not just about the delicious end result but the fun and memories made along the way. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do—and don’t forget to share! They disappear fast, so you’ll want to keep this recipe close.