This easy recipe takes classic cinnamon sugar donuts to the next level with the addition of cardamom. The donuts are light as air, have a delicate and crunchy sugar shell and make the perfect Holiday breakfast or fall afternoon treat.
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What you need:
Kitchen tools:
This recipe is very easy and quick to make and everything is whisked together by hand; no mixer required! You will need:
- 1 liquid measuring cup
- 1 pastry brush
- 1 whisk
- 4 mixing bowls
- two 6-well donut pans (if you only have one pan, see the recipe tip below)
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
If you have a large (i.e. 16-inch) piping bag with a large round tip, that will make your life a little easier but it’s not required, you can also fill the batter into the pans with two spoons.
Ingredients:
For the donut batter:
Ingredient note:
- You will need both the vegetable shortening and the butter melted for this recipe. You can either use the microwave or the stovetop for that.
For the cinnamon sugar topping:
How to make the donuts:
See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!
Step 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F., then generously brush 9 of the donut pan wells with melted vegetable shortening. (This recipe makes 8 to 9 donuts.)
Step 2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cardamom, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and the sugar.
Step 4. Whisk milk and butter into the egg mix. (Don’t worry if the melted butter solidifies when you whisk it in, this won’t cause any problems.)
Step 5. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 6. Using either two spoons or a piping bag, divide the batter into 8 or 9 wells of the donut pans, filling each well ½ to ¾ full. Bake the donuts for 12 to 15 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Make the topping:
Step 7. Let the donuts cool completely in the pans. Whisk together sugar and cinnamon. Carefully unmold the donuts, then brush them on one side with melted butter.
Step 8. Dip the brushed side into the cinnamon sugar to coat.
How to serve the donuts:
Serve the donuts fresh.
Can I store the donuts?
No, these donuts don’t age well and have to be eaten fresh.
What if I only have one donut pan?
If you only have one donut pan and don’t want to get a second one, you can cut this recipe in half but you’ll see there is one egg in there. Now, here is what I do when I need to use half an egg: I crack one egg into a small bowl and whisk it lightly with a fork. Then I’ll use one half of that whisked egg for my batter (I usually eyeball it but you can measure it with a spoon measure) and the other half I just quickly fry in a little bit of butter and eat as a snack. I have done this countless times and it works flawlessly!
More cardamom desserts you’ll love:
See all cardamom recipes →
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Full Printable Recipe
Baked Cardamom Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (to grease the donut pans)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the topping:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
For the donuts:
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease 9 wells of two 6-well donut pans with melted vegetable shortening and set aside.
- Whisk flour, cardamom, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Whisk egg and sugar together in a bowl until well combined.
- Whisk milk and melted butter into the egg mix.*
- Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Using a piping bag or two spoons, divide the batter into 8 or 9 of the wells of the donut pans, filling each well ½ to ¾ full.
- Bake the donuts for 12 – 15 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool completely, then unmold them.
For the topping:
- Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl.
- Brush the donuts with the melted butter, then dip the donuts in sugar/cinnamon mix.
- Serve the donuts fresh.
Alyssa
Nicole, this looks really good! I think I need to make these for myself and the kids. Love this idea!
Nicole B.
Thank you, Alyssa! I just made these again the other day and they are quite good, gone in no time. :)
Jason
Wow. Melted butter with cinnamon sugar. That takes me back to my mom’s cinnamon toast recipe. These look absolutely amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Nicole B.
Thank YOU for your nice comment, Jason! :)
Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect
I really need a doughnut pan – you’ve inspired me. I have made baked doughnuts, but not ring shaped.
I love the way you’ve shot these.
Nicole B.
You’ll love a donut pan, they are so easy to use, so easy to clean and beautiful donuts topple out every time.
Kevin | Keviniscooking
OK, now you have officially made me re-think getting a donut pan to make these. BEAUTIFUL and so mighty tasty. I mean that melted butter cinnamon sugar bit is killer. :)
Nicole B.
Haha, I agree, butter, sugar, cinnamon… nothing can go wrong there, nothing! :)
Louise | Cygnet Kitchen
I don’t think anyone could ever tire of your sweets Nicole! Beautifully captured, they look as light as pillows! I need to get myself a donut pan and soon!! x
Sabrina
These look amazing!! I love desserts with cardamom :)
Nicole B.
Thank you, Sabrina! Cardamom is my favorite spice at the moment. :)
Oana
What a beautiful shot! Well done!
Nicole B.
Thank you so much, Oana! :)
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen
What do they say great minds think alike! These sound amazing Nicole as usual. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. And who could tire of sweets?
Nicole B.
Haha, just clicked over to see your delicious donut concoction! It’s so fun to make donuts, isn’t it? Hope you had a great Christmas as well and a Happy New Year to you, Rosemary! :)