If you have a craving for something delightfully sweet, tender, and bursting with cozy spice, this Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe is an absolute must-try. These donuts bring together the soft, fluffy texture you love with a golden cinnamon crumb topping that delivers just the right amount of crunch. Plus, they’re baked, not fried, making them a lighter, more approachable treat that still feels indulgent. Whether it’s for a weekend brunch or a special snack, these donuts will quickly become your new favorite comfort food to share with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With pantry staples and a handful of carefully chosen ingredients, you can create donuts that are full of flavor and perfectly balanced between sweet and cinnamony. Each component plays a vital role—flour provides the structure, cinnamon adds warmth, and the crumb topping delivers that irresistible texture contrast.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives your donuts structure and chew.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the donut batter for a tender crumb.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the donuts rise to that fluffy, light perfection.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses the batter with warm, comforting spice.
- 3/4 cup whole milk: Adds moisture for a tender bite and richness.
- 2 large eggs: Binds ingredients and contributes to a moist texture.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: For richness and a touch of buttery flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings depth and sweetness to the flavor profile.
- For the crumb topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Gives the crumb topping its structure.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a caramel note.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Amplifies that signature cinnamon flavor in the topping.
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed: Creates the crumbly texture through gentle mixing.
How to Make Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then lightly grease your donut pan or line it with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your donuts come out easily without sticking, making the entire baking experience smooth and hassle-free.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Combining these dry ingredients upfront helps distribute the leavening agent and spice evenly, ensuring every bite is flavored perfectly.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Add the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix here; overworking the batter can make the donuts dense instead of light and fluffy, and nobody wants that!
Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon the smooth batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. This gives the batter just enough room to rise beautifully without overflowing during baking.
Step 5: Make the Crumb Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the crumb topping. Then add the cold butter cubes and mix with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you achieve a crumbly texture. This hand-mixed topping adds a delightful crunch and sweet spiced contrast to the soft donut base.
Step 6: Add Topping and Bake
Generously sprinkle the crumb topping over each donut mold filled with batter. The generous topping not only looks inviting but also delivers that crispy, cinnamon-sugar flavor your taste buds will adore. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the donuts comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures your donuts set just right and keeps the crumb topping crisp and delicious.
How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
While these donuts are delicious as is, you can take them to the next level with some simple garnishes. A light dusting of powdered sugar gives an elegant snowy effect, or a drizzle of vanilla glaze can add extra sweetness and shine. Freshly whipped cream also pairs beautifully to balance the crunchy topping with creamy softness.
Side Dishes
To create a full spread around this Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe, serve alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or chai tea to complement the warm cinnamon notes. For a brunch table, fresh fruit—especially berries and apple slices—adds bright, juicy freshness that contrasts wonderfully with the rich donuts.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress your guests, arrange the donuts stacked on a tiered platter sprinkled with extra cinnamon crumb topping. You could also serve each donut nestled in a small dessert plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of mascarpone cheese for an indulgent twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover donuts can stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keeping them sealed prevents the crumb topping from becoming soggy and preserves that wonderful fresh-baked texture.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe well in advance, freeze them after cooling completely. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then keep them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. This way, you can enjoy them anytime without losing any deliciousness.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your stored donuts, simply thaw them at room temperature and warm gently in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked warmth and revives the crumb topping’s crunch without drying the donut.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?
While all-purpose flour offers the ideal texture for these donuts, you can experiment with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. Just keep in mind it may make the donuts a bit denser, so you might want to adjust the milk slightly to keep them tender.
Is it necessary to use whole milk?
You can substitute with 2% or even non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk if you prefer. The donuts might have a slightly different richness and flavor but will still turn out moist and delicious.
Can I make this recipe without a donut pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake this batter in a muffin tin instead. The baking time may vary slightly, so start checking for doneness at 15 minutes to avoid overbaking.
How do I prevent the crumb topping from falling off?
Make sure to press the crumb topping gently onto the batter before baking so it adheres well. Also, avoid moving the donuts too much while warm to keep the topping intact.
Are these donuts suitable for breakfast?
Absolutely! The balance of cinnamon spice and crumb sweetness paired with the light baked texture make these donuts a wonderful breakfast treat or mid-morning snack with your favorite hot beverage.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to bring this wonderful Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe into your kitchen. It’s a recipe that feels like a warm hug in every bite, combining simple ingredients with a spectacular crumb topping to create something truly special. Give it a try and share the joy of freshly baked cinnamon-spiced goodness with the people you love. I promise it will become a cherished favorite!
Print
Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 35m
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Baked Cinnamon Crumb Donuts are a delightful twist on traditional fried donuts, featuring a tender cake-like texture infused with warm cinnamon and topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, these donuts are baked to perfection for a lighter but equally delicious treat.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Prepare Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cubed cold butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Sprinkle Topping: Generously sprinkle the crumb topping over the batter in each donut mold, ensuring an even coverage.
- Bake the Donuts: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
- Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Using cold butter for the crumb topping helps create a nice crumbly texture.
- Ensure the donut pan is well-greased or lined to prevent sticking.
- Donuts are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
