Name: Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 2 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 - 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

There's something incredibly comforting about fresh, homemade doughnuts that just can’t be beat. This Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe takes the classic flavors you love — warm cinnamon, sweet sugar, soft dough — and turns them into fun, twisted treats that are way easier to make than you might think.

A large pile of twisted cinnamon sugar donuts sit on crumpled white parchment paper, each donut golden brown and covered evenly with a grainy cinnamon sugar coating. Around the donuts are several cinnamon sticks with a warm brown color and curled edges. Behind the donuts are two clear glass cups filled with dark coffee, both with clear handles. A soft white towel with a single dark stripe rests in the blurred background, and the whole scene is set on a white marbled 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’ve made this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe countless times, and I can honestly say it’s a kitchen favorite every time. From the soft, pillowy dough to that perfect cinnamon sugar coating—you’re in for a real comfort-food treat that’s great for sharing.

Simple Ingredients: You only need everyday pantry staples, nothing fancy or hard to find.
Fun to Make: Shaping the twists is playful and satisfying, even for beginners.
Delicious Texture: Soft inside with a lightly crisp outside once fried to golden perfection.
Perfect for Breakfast or Snack: Sweet, warming, and irresistibly fragrant anytime you want.

A pile of twisted sugar and cinnamon-coated doughnuts sits on crumpled white parchment paper, with several cinnamon sticks scattered around and on top of the doughnuts. The doughnuts have a rich golden brown color with a textured sugar coating that highlights their twisted shape. In the top right corner, two clear glass mugs filled with black coffee rest on a warm brown wooden surface, with a beige woven cloth partially visible in the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances milk and yeast to give the right rise, while sugars and cinnamon create that classic cozy flavor. The butter adds richness, and the vanilla adds warmth—together, these ingredients make the dough soft but sturdy enough to twist nicely.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk with active dry yeast foam on top, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a simple pile of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of fine sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, all arranged symmetrically 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: Activates the yeast; make sure it’s around 110°F so the yeast wakes up without dying.
Active dry yeast: Responsible for making the dough rise and become fluffy.
Large egg: Adds moisture and richness to the dough; don’t skip it for a tender crumb.
Melted unsalted butter: Provides flavor and softness to the dough; cooled so it doesn’t kill the yeast.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and a subtle sweet aroma to enhance the doughnut flavor.
All-purpose flour: Use fresh, good-quality flour for the best texture in the doughnuts.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and also makes the cinnamon sugar coating stick beautifully.
Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts flavor overall.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice here, adding that warm, fragrant touch inside and in the coating.
Light brown sugar: Adds a caramel note to the cinnamon sugar topping.

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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

One thing I love about this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or like. Whether you want to add a little nutmeg in the dough or swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a different flavor profile, it adapts beautifully.

Variation: I’ve tried adding orange zest to the doughnut dough before, which gives a lovely citrusy brightness with the cinnamon sugar — perfect for a brunch twist.
Dietary modification: You can substitute almond milk to make it dairy-free, just be sure it’s warmed properly.
Texture tweak: For crispier donuts, slightly increase oil temperature but watch closely to avoid burning.

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

Step 1: Activate the yeast and prepare wet ingredients

Start by stirring together warm milk and yeast—within about 5 minutes, you should see it get foamy and bubbly. This little sign tells you the yeast is alive and eager to work. While waiting, whisk the egg, melted (but cooled!) butter, and vanilla in a separate bowl. This keeps things efficient and makes sure no time is wasted once the yeast is ready.

Step 2: Combine dry ingredients & mix dough

Dump the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon into your mixer bowl and stir to combine. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add it to the wet ingredients, give it a good whisk, then pour everything into the dry ingredients. Stir until it starts coming together, then switch to your dough hook and knead at medium-low speed. The dough will clean the sides of the bowl if it has the right consistency. If not, sprinkle in flour a little at a time — but keep it soft and slightly sticky, not dry!

Step 3: First rise - cozy and covered

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray, then transfer the dough in and turn it a couple of times to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and tuck it somewhere warm, like near your oven or on top of the fridge, for about an hour until it doubles in size. Watching the dough rise is like magic and a clear signal that you’re on the right track.

Step 4: Punch down, second rise for that perfect fluffiness

After the first rise, lightly flour your work surface and knead the dough a few times to knock out air bubbles. Then nestle it back into the bowl, cover it again, and let it rise another hour. This step is key for fluffy donuts with that light, tender bite you'll fall in love with.

Step 5: Shape the twists

Now for the fun part! Cut the dough into 16 equal pieces — I find cutting in halves repeatedly makes it easy to get even sizes. Take one piece at a time and roll it into a thin rope shape. Twist your hands in opposite directions to create that spiral effect, then loop the ends together and pinch to seal. A couple more twists around gives a beautiful final shape. Place each on a parchment-lined tray and cover loosely with a towel while you work through the batch.

Step 6: Rest & heat oil

Let the twisted dough rest for 30 minutes to puff up a bit more — this makes them light once fried. Meanwhile, heat 3–4 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or fryer to 325°F. Test the temperature with a small dough piece — it should bubble up nicely but not burn quickly.

Step 7: Fry and sugar-coat

Fry 3 to 4 donuts at a time, flipping gently to brown all sides evenly — about 5 minutes total. As soon as they come out of the oil, let excess drip off then toss immediately in the cinnamon sugar mix until fully coated. Place them on a wire rack over a tray to keep crisp and avoid sogginess while you finish frying.

Top Tip

From my experience, the success of this Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe really hinges on keeping your dough slightly sticky but manageable and being patient during the rising stages—that’s where the magic happens!

Keep Milk Warm: I’ve ruined batches before by using milk that was too hot — it kills the yeast. Aim for warm, not hot, around 110°F.
Don’t Over-Flour the Dough: Adding too much flour dries out the dough and results in tough donuts — err on the softer side.
Use a Wire Rack: Placing the fried donuts on a wire rack over a sheet pan helps keep them crisp instead of soggy, trust me, it makes a world of difference.
Oil Temperature Matters: Keeping it steady at 325°F ensures donuts cook evenly inside and out without burning.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe

cinnamon sugar donuts - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and classic with just the cinnamon sugar coating—it’s nostalgic and absolutely perfect. But once, for a little extra flair, I dusted some powdered sugar on top and served with a side of warm chocolate sauce for dipping, which was a total hit.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a rich chai latte. For a bigger brunch spread, try serving them alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt—balance those sweet bites with something fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday breakfasts, I’ve arranged the twists in a pretty circle on a platter with sprigs of fresh mint and orange slices decoratively tucked in. It’s festive and makes the table feel instantly special—and the twists keep the conversation lively because everyone wants one!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature and eat them within 1-2 days for best flavor and texture. You can refresh them slightly by warming in a microwave for about 10–15 seconds before serving.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover twists after cooling completely by wrapping them well in plastic wrap and then foil. When thawed at room temperature, they thaw quickly while staying soft and delicious. You can also warm them straight from frozen in a toaster oven to revive that fresh-baked softness.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer the oven or toaster oven at 350°F for a few minutes to bring back crispiness on the outside without drying the inside. The microwave works too but may soften the crust.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake these cinnamon sugar twist donuts instead of frying them?

While frying gives the donuts their signature crispy outside and soft inside, you can bake them at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes. The texture will be slightly different—less crisp—but still delicious when coated with cinnamon sugar.

How do I know when the oil is the right temperature for frying?

Use a candy or frying thermometer to keep the oil steady at 325°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of dough into the oil: it should sizzle and float, browning within a few minutes without burning. Too hot, and the outside burns before inside cooks; too cool, and donuts absorb excess oil and get greasy.

Can I make the dough by hand instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Mix your ingredients in a large bowl, then knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky. It takes a bit more elbow grease but works equally well.

What’s the best way to shape the twists without them unraveling?

Make sure to pinch the ends of your twisted dough rope tightly before looping the ends together. Twisting the doughnut a couple more times after sealing helps reinforce the shape so they don’t unravel while resting or frying.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Sugar Twist Donuts Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen adventures—it’s simple, soothing, and downright delicious. I love how making these donuts turns an ordinary morning into a little celebration of warmth and sweetness. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do, so grab your ingredients and get twisting!