If you’ve ever wanted to whip up a cozy, irresistible treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe is your golden ticket. These donuts are perfectly soft, dusted with a generous coating of cinnamon-sugar, and finished with a luscious drizzle of melted chocolate that takes every bite to a new level of indulgence. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends, this recipe is delightfully simple and incredibly rewarding.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the perfect balance of flavors and textures starts with using simple, quality ingredients that each play their part beautifully. The all-purpose flour provides the right structure, cinnamon brings warmth and spice, and the melted butter ensures a tender crumb. Together, these ingredients create the perfect base for our cinnamon-sugar donuts that shine both in texture and taste.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The backbone of your donuts, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that golden crust.
- 2 tsp baking powder: The leavening agent that makes your donuts light and fluffy.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Imparts that signature warm, spicy flavor essential to cinnamon donuts.
- 1/2 cup whole milk: Brings moisture and richness to the batter for a soft texture.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Provide structure and richness to the dough.
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted): Keeps the donuts tender and adds a buttery depth.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting): Optional, but a light dusting adds a touch of sweetness and charm.
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for drizzle): For that irresistible, melty chocolate drizzle that crowns these donuts.
How to Make Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. This ensures your dry ingredients are evenly mixed, which is key to a consistent texture throughout your donuts.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the whole milk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth and fully combined. Using room temperature eggs helps the ingredients emulsify better, resulting in a silky batter.
Step 3: Fold Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—slight lumps are okay. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to dense donuts rather than light and fluffy ones.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
Fill a deep pot with oil and heat it to 375°F (190°C). Maintaining this temperature is crucial for perfectly fried donuts that are golden outside but cooked through inside. Too cool and they absorb oil; too hot and they burn.
Step 5: Fry the Donuts
Carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Use tongs to flip and to remove the donuts, letting excess oil drip off before transferring them to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 6: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
While the donuts are still warm, toss them gently in a cinnamon and sugar mixture until fully coated. This sticky, sweet layer is what makes these donuts irresistible, teasing your taste buds with every bite.
Step 7: Drizzle with Melted Chocolate
Melt your semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Drizzle the chocolate generously over the cinnamon-sugar-coated donuts to finish with a decadent touch that’s beautiful and delicious.
How to Serve Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe
Garnishes
To make these donuts even more festive, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed nuts, a dusting of additional powdered sugar, or even a few chocolate shavings on top of the drizzle. These little finishes elevate the presentation and introduce delightful texture contrasts.
Side Dishes
These donuts shine on their own but pair beautifully with a cup of strong coffee, hot cocoa, or even a spiced chai latte. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance sweetness with freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your cinnamon-sugar donuts in a pyramid or arranging them on a rustic wooden board for a cozy, inviting vibe. Alternatively, serve them in individual boxes or gift bags for a charming homemade treat gift. The chocolate drizzle always adds that wow factor that draws hungry eyes immediately.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and tasty. Avoid refrigeration as it tends to dry out the donuts and dull the chocolate drizzle.
Freezing
You can freeze cinnamon-sugar donuts for longer storage. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month.
Reheating
For the best experience, reheat donuts gently in a warm oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture and slightly melts the chocolate drizzle, making them taste like they’re freshly made.
FAQs
Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?
Absolutely! While frying gives that classic crispy exterior, you can spoon the batter into a greased donut pan and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 12 to 15 minutes. Your donuts will be softer and cake-like but still delicious and much easier to make.
What type of chocolate works best for the drizzle?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are perfect because they melt smoothly and offer a nice balance of sweetness. You could also use dark chocolate for a richer taste or milk chocolate for extra sweetness, depending on your preference.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, substituting all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum can work. Just keep an eye on the batter’s consistency and cook times, as gluten-free doughs sometimes behave differently.
Why is it important not to overmix the batter?
Overmixing develops gluten in the flour too much, which can result in dense and tough donuts. You want to mix just until the ingredients come together so the final product is light and tender.
How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?
Using a candy or deep-fry thermometer is the most reliable way to get the oil to exactly 375°F (190°C). If you don’t have one, drop a small amount of batter into the oil and see if it quickly bubbles and rises to the surface, turning golden within a couple of minutes.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving this Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe a try—it’s a delightful and approachable way to bring a classic treat to your kitchen with an extra chocolatey twist. Whether you make them for breakfast, dessert, or a special snack, they’re sure to bring smiles and happy sighs with every bite. So roll up your sleeves and enjoy the magic of homemade donuts!
Print
Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts (about 8 servings)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle are a delightful treat featuring soft, fluffy fried donuts coated in cinnamon sugar and finished with a rich, melted chocolate drizzle. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, these donuts combine the warm spices of cinnamon with a luscious chocolate topping for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
For Coating and Drizzling
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for drizzle)
- Additional granulated sugar and cinnamon (for tossing donuts)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined to create an even mixture of dry ingredients.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the whole milk, melted unsalted butter, and room temperature eggs until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to ensure tender, fluffy donuts.
- Heat Oil: In a deep pot, heat oil to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature as this is crucial for properly frying the donuts.
- Fry Donuts: Using a spoon, drop portions of the batter into the hot oil. Fry the donuts for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until they turn a golden brown color. Use tongs to carefully flip and remove the donuts from the oil, placing them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Coat Donuts: While the donuts are still warm, toss them in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon to evenly coat them with a sweet and fragrant layer.
- Melt Chocolate Chips: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt them in short 20-30 second bursts, stirring between each until smooth and fully melted.
- Drizzle Chocolate: Generously drizzle the melted chocolate over the coated donuts for a decadent finishing touch. Allow the chocolate to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the eggs are at room temperature for better batter consistency.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 375°F to avoid oily, undercooked donuts.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to easily flip and remove donuts from hot oil safely.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg for a deeper spice flavor if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat briefly in an oven to restore freshness.
