Description
These Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts are a delightful and fun breakfast treat featuring soft, twisted doughnuts fried to golden perfection and coated in a cinnamon sugar blend. Perfect for a weekend brunch or special occasion, they offer a crispy outside and tender inside with a sweet, spiced finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough 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 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoons fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 ½ Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3-4 inches cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Activate yeast: Stir together the warm milk and active dry yeast in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix wet ingredients: While the yeast activates, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, add 3 cups of flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Stir around to combine the dry ingredients evenly.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add it to the wet egg mixture and whisk to combine. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir until it begins to come together.
- Knead the dough: Set the mixer to medium-low speed and knead, adding up to ½ cup more flour if necessary, until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl. Continue kneading for 5 minutes until the dough is soft, slightly sticky, but smooth.
- First rise: Lightly spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat lightly in spray. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Second rise preparation: Lightly flour a clean work surface and knead the dough a few times by hand to release air bubbles. Return it to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Prepare for shaping: Line a sheet tray with parchment paper and set aside. After the second rise, divide the dough into 16 even pieces, keeping the remaining dough covered with a kitchen towel.
- Shape twists: Roll each piece into a thin rope. Twist by rolling your hands in opposite directions. Bring the ends together, pinch firmly to seal, and twist the doughnut a couple more times to form the final twist shape. Place on the prepared tray and cover with a towel. Repeat with all pieces.
- Rest shaped dough: Let the twisted doughnuts rest for 30 minutes until they slightly puff up.
- Heat oil: Heat 3-4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer to 325°F, preparing for frying.
- Prepare cinnamon sugar topping: In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the coating.
- Fry donuts: Carefully place 3-4 donuts into the hot oil at a time. Fry for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown on all sides. Drain the excess oil by lifting them out and letting them drip briefly.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar: Immediately toss each fried donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Finish: Place coated donuts on a wire rack over a sheet tray to keep them crisp and not soggy. Repeat frying and coating with the remaining donuts. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- If the dough is too sticky while kneading, add flour gradually but avoid adding too much to keep donuts tender.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 325°F for best frying results.
- Twisting the dough tightly ensures the donuts hold their shape while frying.
- Serve donuts fresh for the best texture; they are best eaten the day they are made.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
- Use a Dutch oven or a deep fryer for safe and even frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 201 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 137 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
