When you want the crisp, cinnamon-spiced perfection of a fried Spanish churro combined with the soft, pillow-like bite of a classic baked donut, Cinnamon Sugar Churro Donuts deliver the best of both worlds. A rich, vanilla-infused cake batter is baked in a donut pan until tender, then brushed generously with melted butter and tossed in a heavy coating of warm cinnamon sugar.
The secret to getting authentic churro flavor on a baked donut is Tossing in Melted Butter and Cinnamon Sugar Immediately While Warm. The heat allows the melted butter to soak slightly into the outer crust, creating a golden layer that holds the sugar crystals tight for that iconic crunch.
Why You’ll Love These Churro Donuts
- No Frying Required: Baked easily in a donut pan—no messy oil frying or splattering.
- Iconic Churro Coating: Warm butter plus generous cinnamon sugar gives every bite that signature crunch.
- Fast 25-Minute Recipe: Simple bowl-and-whisk batter comes together in under 10 minutes.
- Perfect with Mexican Hot Chocolate: Pair with warm chocolate sauce or dulce de leche for dipping.
Key Ingredients Overview
- All-Purpose Flour & Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds that classic bakery-style donut aroma.
- Melted Butter & Milk: Keeps the interior crumb soft, moist, and tender.
- Granulated Sugar & Ground Cinnamon: Mixed together for the crunchy outer coating.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the warm, sweet scent of the baked batter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.The Dry & Wet Whisk:5 min.
Preheat your oven to $175^\circ\text{C}$ ($350^\circ\text{F}$) and spray a 6-cavity donut pan thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. In a bowl, whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated white sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk ½ cup milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
2.The Pipe & Fill:3 min.
Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined (do not over-mix). Transfer the batter into a large Ziploc bag or piping bag, snip off the corner, and pipe evenly into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
3.The Golden Bake:12 min.
Bake at $175^\circ\text{C}$ ($350^\circ\text{F}$) for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly touched with a finger. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
4.The Cinnamon Sugar Coating:3 min.
Melt ⅓ cup unsalted butter in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, combine ½ cup granulated white sugar and 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon.
5.The Dip & Serve Warm:2 min.
While the donuts are still warm, dip each donut entirely into the melted butter, turning to coat all sides, then immediately press into the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely covered. Serve warm!
Expert Tips for Success
- Pipe the Batter for Clean Rings: Spooning thick batter into a donut pan can be messy and messy. Using a plastic Ziploc bag with the corner cut off makes filling the rings fast and neat!
- Coat While Warm: Don’t wait for the donuts to cool completely before coating! Warm donuts absorb the butter better and lock in the sugar coating.
- Air Fryer Alternative: Don’t have a donut pan? Roll the batter into mini balls and air-fry in silicone muffin cups at $170^\circ\text{C}$ ($340^\circ\text{F}$) for 7 to 8 minutes for Churro Donut Holes!
The Recipe Card
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Bake Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 6 Standard Donuts (or 12 Mini Donuts)
Ingredients:
- The Donut Batter: 1 cup All-Purpose Flour, ½ cup Granulated White Sugar, 1 tsp Baking Powder, ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon, ¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg, ¼ tsp Salt, ½ cup Milk, 1 Large Egg, 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted), 1 tsp Vanilla Extract.
- The Churro Coating: ⅓ cup Unsalted Butter (melted), ½ cup Granulated White Sugar, 1½ tbsp Ground Cinnamon.
Instructions:
Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another; combine just until smooth. Pipe batter into a greased donut pan. Bake at $175^\circ\text{C}$ ($350^\circ\text{F}$) for 10–12 minutes. Dip warm donuts into melted butter, then roll thoroughly in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately with warm chocolate dip.
