Name: Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 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 oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)

There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly fried dough coated in cinnamon sugar—that’s exactly what makes this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe so irresistible. These twists have a delightfully soft center and a crisp sugary crust that’ll make your kitchen smell like a cozy bakery morning.

A large pile of twisted doughnuts covered in sugar and cinnamon sits on white parchment paper over a wooden surface with a few cinnamon sticks scattered around. The doughnuts are golden brown with a textured sugar coating and are twisted in shape, creating layers of curved, slightly puffy dough. In the background, there are two clear glass mugs filled with dark coffee, and a cream-colored cloth with a dark stripe is draped softly behind the doughnuts. The overall setting is warm and cozy, with the white marbled texture around as the surface. 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

I still remember the first time I made these cinnamon sugar twist donuts—it felt like a fun weekend experiment that quickly became a family favorite. What you get is a light yet satisfyingly chewy donut with a sweet cinnamon coating that’s just perfect with your morning coffee.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand, making it easy to whip these up any time.
Twist Shape Magic: The twisted shape not only looks pretty but also creates those perfect nooks for cinnamon sugar to cling to.
Frying Fun: While frying might seem tricky, this recipe breaks it down so even beginners feel confident.
Irresistible Flavor: The balance between buttery dough and cinnamon sugar coating makes each bite pure bliss.

A pile of twisted cinnamon sugar donuts with a golden-brown color and a rough sugar texture covers crinkled white paper in the center. The donuts are twisted into various shapes, some thicker and some thinner, with a coating of sugar and cinnamon giving a grainy look. Around the donuts, there are several whole cinnamon sticks scattered on a dark wooden surface, and two clear glass mugs filled with black coffee sit at the top, adding contrast. A beige textured cloth is partially draped on the left side on the wood. The whole scene is set against a white marbled texture background photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in making these Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe come together beautifully. From the yeast that gives the dough its lift to the cinnamon sugar topping that adds sparkle, choosing quality basics is your best bet.

Flat lay of warm milk in a small white ceramic bowl with a light foam surface, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, melted unsalted butter in a small white ceramic bowl with a golden sheen, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a white ceramic bowl with packed light brown sugar, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed 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: Just warm enough to activate the yeast without killing it—think bathwater temperature around 110°F.
Active Dry Yeast: This is the magic that makes the dough rise and gives that tender texture we all love.
Large Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough together.
Unsalted Butter: Melted and cooled, it infuses a buttery flavor and makes the dough tender.
Vanilla: Brings a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that creates structure but still keeps the dough soft.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and forms part of the cinnamon sugar topping.
Fine Sea Salt: Balances flavors perfectly and enhances the dough’s taste.
Ground Cinnamon: Both inside the dough and on top—it’s the star spice here.
Light Brown Sugar: Mixed with cinnamon sugar topping to add a bit of molasses warmth and texture.

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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 using this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe as a base and experimenting with flavors for special occasions. You can adjust the cinnamon sugar blend or even add a glaze for extra sweetness—whatever suits your craving!

Variation: One time, I added a touch of nutmeg and allspice to the cinnamon sugar topping—it gave the donuts a cozy holiday vibe that everyone adored.
Dairy-Free Option: You can swap the butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of dairy milk without losing much flavor or texture.
Gluten-Free Twist: While I haven't tried this with gluten-free flour yet, using a blend designed for yeast baking could work—just be ready to adjust flour amounts.

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

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Mix the Wet Ingredients

Start by stirring the warm milk with the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy and alive. While you wait, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and vanilla in a separate bowl. This way, everything’s ready to come together smoothly once the yeast is proofed.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Dough

In your stand mixer bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Once the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the wet ingredients and whisk well. Then pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and stir to combine before switching on the mixer with the dough hook. Keep an eye on the dough—it should start pulling away from the bowl’s sides. Add flour a little at a time if needed. Knead on medium-low for 5 minutes until soft, smooth, and slightly sticky.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise Twice

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and coat the dough in it. Cover with plastic wrap and set it in a warm spot to double in size, about an hour. Then, punch the dough gently to remove air bubbles, knead a few times by hand, and put it back for a second rise—this time for another hour covered.

Step 4: Shape Your Twists

After the second rise, divide the dough into 16 even pieces. Roll each piece into a thin rope, then twist by rolling your hands in opposite directions to spiral the dough. Bring the ends together, pinch tight, and wrap the dough into a twist shape. Keep covered with a clean towel and let them rest 30 minutes so they puff a little before frying.

Step 5: Fry and Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Heat your oil to 325°F—using a deep fryer or a heavy pot with 3-4 inches of oil. Fry 3-4 donuts at a time, turning them to get golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total per batch. Immediately toss them one by one in a bowl with cinnamon, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to coat perfectly. Place on a wire rack so they stay crisp and serve warm.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, I’ve learned that these small details can really make or break your cinnamon sugar twist donuts. Trust me—these tips helped me get perfect results every single time.

Right Temperature: Use a kitchen thermometer to warm your milk just to 110°F to activate yeast without killing it.
Don't Over-Flour: Add extra flour sparingly as too much can make donuts dense—soft and slightly sticky dough is perfect.
Oil Temperature: Keep your oil steady at 325°F for even frying; too hot and they brown too fast, too cool and they absorb too much oil.
Cinnamon Sugar Toss: Always toss donuts while they’re warm for sugar to stick without melting into a soggy mess.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe

cinnamon sugar donuts - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the cinnamon sugar coating—there’s something timeless about that crisp sugary exterior. But on special mornings, I’ve drizzled a thin vanilla glaze or dusted a little powdered sugar for a sweet finish that wows without overpowering.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. If you’re serving brunch, fresh fruit or scrambled eggs balance the sweetness nicely and make the whole meal feel extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

I love arranging the twists in a wicker basket lined with a pretty napkin when friends come over. For birthdays, stacking them in a donut tower with fresh flowers tucked in creates a festive centerpiece everyone will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture and maintain crispness longer.

Freezing

To freeze, I like to wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to a month, making it convenient to enjoy fresh tastes anytime you want.

Reheating

To warm frozen or leftover donuts, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. This brings back that freshly fried crispness way better than a microwave, which tends to make them chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?

You can bake donut twists, but frying gives that iconic crispy exterior and soft interior. If you choose to bake, brush them lightly with melted butter and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden. You might want to add a cinnamon sugar topping after baking for the full flavor experience.

How do I know when the yeast is properly activated?

When the yeast is properly activated, the milk and yeast mixture will become foamy and bubbly on the surface within about 5 minutes. If you don’t see any foam, your yeast might be old or the milk temperature might be off.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast, but skip the activation step with warm milk directly. Instead, add instant yeast to dry ingredients and then combine with warm milk. The dough rising times should be similar but keep an eye on your dough.

Why are my donuts greasy after frying?

Greasy donuts usually mean the oil temperature was too low or the donuts were left in the oil too long. Make sure your oil is steady at 325°F and remove donuts as soon as they are golden brown. Also, place them on a wire rack after frying to drain excess oil.

Final Thoughts

The joy of pulling these warm Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts out of the oil, tossing them in that sweet cinnamon sugar blend, and biting into that soft twist is truly something special. It’s a recipe that’s easy to put your own spin on but reliably delicious every single time. You’ll want to make these for your friends, family, or just because—trust me, they’ll thank you!