Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts with Vanilla Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Soft, fluffy homemade doughnuts coated in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with a smooth vanilla glaze, perfect for a comforting breakfast or snack. This American-inspired sushi recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup, warmed to 110°F whole milk
• 3 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp whole milk (for glaze)

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup warmed whole milk (110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
3. Step 3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Punch down the dough and roll it out to 1/2 inch thickness on a floured surface. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut doughnuts and a smaller cutter (1 inch) for holes. Place cut doughnuts on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover with a towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
5. Step 5: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry the doughnuts in batches, cooking each side for about 1 minute until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
6. Step 6: In a shallow dish, mix 1 tbsp ground cinnamon with 1/2 cup granulated sugar. While doughnuts are warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar until evenly coated.
7. Step 7: For the glaze, whisk together 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp whole milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled doughnuts before serving.