Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (2024)

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Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Mar 6, 2018Updated: Oct 5, 2023

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These cinnamon sugar twist doughnuts are a cross between crunchy churros and soft, fluffy beignets. Shape the dough into twists, punch out rounds, or slice them into squares.

Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (1)

Table of Contents

I tried several times to make churros. After three failed attempts I gave up. Still craving cinnamon sugar, I turned to my favorite yeast raised doughnut recipe.

Cinnamon Sugar Yeast Doughnuts

If I can’t have churros, cinnamon sugar twist doughnuts is the next best thing (if not it’s equal)!The original dough recipe yields a dozen doughnut rings and a dozen or so doughnut holes.

Instead of punching out rounds, I divided the dough into 12 portions to roll out braided twists.

The dough is quite simple to make. With the help of a stand mixer, kneading together the dough is a breeze. However, even without a mixer, mixing and kneading by hand is feasible.

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One tool I highly recommend is a digital kitchen scale.

This will ensure equal portioned pieces, as well as even cooking times.

Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (3)

Tips when working with yeast dough

  • Temperature affects dough. Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the yeast is mixed with proper temperature liquids.
  • Temperature can also affect dough rising/proofing time. Optimal temperature is in the mid-70s, around room temperature.
  • Keep the dough covered with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap to prevent an unwanted “skin” from forming. Do this when the dough is rising, as well as when you are forming the doughnut twists.
  • Use a digital kitchen scale to divide dough equally. Equally portioned out dough pieces ensure even cooking times.

Read this comprehensive guide to working with yeast. Learn about the different types of yeast available for home cooks. Get tips for storing yeast and how to check if yeast is still suitable for use.

Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (4)

These twist doughnuts fry up crispy on the outside. The exterior reminds me of Chinese stick doughnuts (youtiao).

While the outside has a nice crunch, the interior of the doughnut is light, fluffy, and pillowy.

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The doughnut will slightly deflate with each bite, but it’ll bounce back to it’s original shape in a few seconds.

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Donut Sugar Coating Options

Asides from cinnamon sugar, these fried doughnut twists can be tossed in all sorts of different coatings:

  • Dust on confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) like a beignet
  • Colored sanding sugar offers a nice festive touch! Pink and red for Valentine’s Day, pastels for Spring and Easter, etc.
  • Muscovado sugar (also known as Barbados sugar) adds a dark, rich molasses flavor.
  • Mix granulated sugar with other spices like cloves, nutmeg, star anise, etc.
  • Mix granulated sugar or powdered sugar with powdered freeze dried fruits like this strawberry sugar coating
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Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (8)

More Fried Donut Recipes

  • Coffee Custard Filled Doughnuts
  • Coconut Cake Doughnuts
  • Banana Bread Doughnuts

Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (9)

Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts

5 from 14 votes

These cinnamon sugar twist doughnuts are a cross between crunchy churros and soft, fluffy beignets. Shape the dough into twists, punch out rounds, or slice them into squares.

Yield: 12 doughnut twists

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Dough Rest Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

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Ingredients

Doughnuts:

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk , warmed to 110°F
  • 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast, or instant yeast
  • 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar (38 g)
  • 1 large egg , room temp
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (520 g)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (84 g), softened, room temperature
  • vegetable oil , for frying

Cinnamon Sugar:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Doughnuts:

  • In the bowl of stand mixer, combine milk, yeast, and sugar. Allow mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Whisk in egg until incorporated.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Attach dough hook attachment to stand mixer. With the mixer running on low, add 1/3 of flour mixture. Once dough starts to come together, add another 1/3 of flour mixture. Add softened butter one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. At this point the dough will be sticky. Scrape down bowl as needed to ensure thorough mixing. Add remaining 1/3 of flour mixture.

  • Once dough starts to form, increase mixer speed to medium. Knead for 3-5 minutes until dough is smooth and soft. Dough may still stick to the sides of the bowl, but it should be easy to scrape using a spatula or dough scraper. (Do not add additional flour)

  • Transfer dough to a large greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or kitchen towel and allow dough to rest for 30-45 minutes at room temperature until dough has doubled in volume.

  • Gently deflate risen dough. Working on a lightly floured surface divide dough into 12 equal parts. Loosely cover dough with kitchen towel. Working with one piece at a time, stretch and roll dough into a 14-inch stripe.

  • To form twist, place hands on ends of rope. Roll one hand upward while simultaneously rolling other hand downward. This will cause the dough to twist. Pick up the twisted dough in the center of the rope. The tension in the twisted dough will naturally braid together. Pinch end seam together and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Loosely cover with kitchen towel and repeat with remaining dough.*

  • Allow dough to rest for 8-10 minutes while oil heats up. Attach kitchen thermometer to a heavy bottomed sauce pot (such as Dutch oven or cast iron pan). Fill pot with 2 to 3 inches of oil. Set over medium heat until oil reaches 350°F.

  • Carefully place two or three doughnut twists into hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot. Cook for 95 seconds on each side, until golden brown. Transfer cooked doughnuts on a paper towel lined baking sheet.

    NOTE: Oil temperature will change as you add raw doughnuts into the pot. Monitor oil temperature using thermometer to make sure the doughnuts do not burn or undercook.

  • Cinnamon Sugar: combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Set aside until ready to coat cooked doughnuts.

  • Toss warm doughnuts in cinnamon sugar coating. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • These doughnuts are best eaten within a day of frying.
  • Forming twists: alternatively, you can roll dough into a 14-inch strip, fold in half, and braid together until you have at least 4 twists. The method listed in the instructions results with a tighter braid.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 407mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg

Author: Maryanne Cabrera

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

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Cinnamon Sugar Twist Doughnuts (2024)
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