Homemade Cinnamon Cake Donuts

I don’t make Donuts often, but these Homemade Cinnamon Cake Donuts are my new favourite! A soft dough with a touch of one of my favourite Fall flavors, cinnamon, and then rolled while still warm in a cinnamon sugar combination. The perfect anytime Donut.

With the coming of Autumn, I think we (me) might just really be looking forward to a little cooler weather, and with that comes all the delicious Comfort Food and I don’t just mean a Casserole or Pasta Dish. I’m talking dessert, especially a Cinnamon Dessert!

In Italy donuts are the way to go. I love my fried Italian Donuts. Although I do love my Cake Donuts with a cup of coffee or tea, or even these Italian yeast baked donuts are good to try!

But when someone mentions donuts I always think of those soft, cinnamon Cake Donuts, I would sometimes treat myself to in Canada.

So when I discovered this deep fried (yes deep fried and no, I wouldn’t bake these in the oven) Cinnamon Cake Donut Recipe from a friend I knew I had to make them. And the best thing is they are yeast free!

Recipe Ingredients

• Sugar – granulated sugar
• Baking powder – to help them rise, since no yeast is used
• Cinnamon – ground cinnamon
• Salt – Salt enhances and balances flavors, especially sweetness
• Egg – one large egg
• Milk – whole or 2% milk
• Butter – melted butter, I used salted butter, if you use unsalted butter then add a bit more salt
• Flour – all purpose flour

How to make Cake donuts

In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, baking powder, cinnamon (and or nutmeg) and salt, then add the egg, milk and melted butter and combine.

Add some of the flour and beat, starting on low speed increase to medium (with dough hook) combine, then add the remaining flour, the dough will be soft and a little sticky (but firm enough to handle), if too sticky add more flour a tablespoon at a time. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for one hour.

Heat 2 inches of oil in a medium heavy pot (or follow the directions if using a deep fryer) I recommend using a candy thermometer to arrive at the correct temperature.

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch thick, cut out with a donut cutter (be sure to fry the donut holes also). Or round cookie cutter and the end of a piping tip.

Carefully drop the donuts a couple at a time into the hot oil. Flip the donuts as they puff up, turn a couple of times as they fry or until golden.

Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain for a 30-60 seconds on a plate lined with paper towels or cooling rack. While the donuts are still warm roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately. 

What is the difference between cake donuts and regular donuts?

Regular donuts are made with yeast, whereas cake donuts are made with a chemical leavener such as baking powder or baking soda. Yeast donuts are usually softer, cake donuts are a little more dense and have a crispier shell.

Tips for making the best Cinnamon Cake Donuts

• Make sure your dough is soft and a little sticky, (if too sticky just add a little more flour). Dough should be wrapped in plastic and chilled for about one hour.
• This recipe is made for frying so I don’t recommend baking
• Be sure to keep the oil at a steady temperature, higher and the donuts will burn, lower and they won’t cook properly.
• 360-370F (182-188C), try to keep it as close to this temperature while frying. Fry the donuts, turning a couple of times for about two to three minutes on each side.
• Be sure to roll them in the cinnamon sugar while still warm so the sugar sticks to them.

Variations

• Instead of rolling in a cinnamon sugar mixture you could cover in a chocolate glaze and add some sprinkles on top.
• Add a tiny bit of nutmeg to the donut recipe
• Because these donuts are fried I strongly recommend eating them asap, fried foods aren’t the best kinds of foods to be kept for more than a day.

What is the best oil for frying?

The best oils for frying are peanut oil and canola oil because of their high smoke points, which means the temperature when the oil begins to break down and, begins to smoke. Although sunflower and corn oil work well too.

Tools needed for making Cake Donuts

I just did a baking class and the instructor advised us that the best rolling pins are the ones without the handles, because pressing on the handles puts too much pressure on the centre of the dough.

And of course don’t forget one of those nifty donut cutters. If you are using a heavy pot a thermometer is a must have, you need it to get your oil to the right temperature.

To fry these donuts I just used a heavy pot and filled it with two inches of vegetable oil, but one of my next purchases is definitely going to be an electric deep fryer!

Can the dough be made ahead of time?

Yes the dough will keep well wrapped in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.

How to store the Donuts

It is always best to eat the donuts immediately, or you could keep them unfilled in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days at most. If filled they should be kept in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Freezing is not a good idea.

So if you plan on making these Homemade Donuts I hope you enjoy them, and let me know what you think. Enjoy and Have a wonderful Sunday!

Post updated from October 14, 2018.