Crispy Star-Shaped Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Quick and easy homemade star-shaped donuts with a crispy cinnamon sugar coating, perfect for cozy mornings or sweet snacks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) whole milk
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil for frying (canola or sunflower recommended)
- Cinnamon sugar topping: 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt (5 minutes).
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and melted butter until smooth (3 minutes).
- Form the dough: Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; dough should be soft but not sticky (4 minutes).
- Roll and cut: Lightly flour a surface and roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Use star-shaped cutter to cut donuts. Re-roll scraps as needed (7 minutes).
- Heat oil: Pour vegetable oil into pot to 2 inches depth and heat to 350°F (175°C) (10 minutes).
- Fry donuts: Fry donuts in batches, 1-2 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Flip gently (15 minutes total).
- Drain and coat: Remove donuts and drain on wire rack over baking sheet. While warm, toss in cinnamon sugar until fully coated (5 minutes).
- Cool slightly and serve warm for best texture and flavor (5 minutes).
Notes
Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt donuts. Use a wire rack to drain excess oil instead of paper towels to keep donuts crispy. Dough should not be overmixed to keep donuts tender. Dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before frying. For a vegan option, substitute milk with plant-based milk, egg with flax egg, and butter with coconut oil. Baking alternative: bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 150170
- Sugar: 78
- Fat: 78
- Carbohydrates: 2022
- Protein: 3
Keywords: donuts, cinnamon sugar, star-shaped, crispy, homemade, easy, quick, cozy treat, fried donuts