Baked Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

makes 6

recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the doughnuts: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use a baker’s spray to coat doughnut pan.

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a mixing bowl.

Whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla extract in a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Fill the wells of the doughnut pans a bit more than three-quarters full with the batter. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the wall of a doughnut comes out clean and the doughnuts are puffed and lightly browned. Let them cool (in the pan) for 5 minutes, then gently invert the doughnuts onto a rimmed baking sheet.

While the doughnuts are cooling, make the topping.

Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

Brush the warm doughnuts with the melted butter, then dip them into the cinnamon-sugar mixture on one or both sides. Serve warm.