Baked Cardamom Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

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.

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:

Prepare the donut pans:

Step 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F., then generously brush 9 of the donut pan wells with 2 tablespoons melted vegetable shortening. (This recipe makes 8 to 9 donuts).

Make the batter:

Step 2. In a bowl, whisk together:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Set aside.

Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 whole egg and ⅓ cup granulated sugar.

Step 4. Whisk ½ cup whole milk and 3 tablespoons melted, unsalted butter into the egg mix. (Don’t worry if the melted butter solidifies when you whisk it in, that 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. While the donuts are cooling, prepare the topping. Start by whisking together ½ cup granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Step 8. Carefully unmold the donuts, then brush them on one side with 2 tablespoons melted, unsalted butter.

Step 9. 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:

• Cardamom Meringue Cookies
• Raspberry Apple Crisp
• Lemon Cardamom Cake
• Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes with Cardamom

Made this recipe? It would be awesome if you could leave a rating. Either tap or click the stars in the recipe card or leave a comment below. Thanks!

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4.84 from 6 votes

Baked Cardamom Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Cardamom adds a new and delicious flavor to classic cinnamon sugar donuts in this easy recipe.

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cardamom donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, sugar and spice donuts

Servings: 9 donuts

Calories (estimated): 217kcal

Author: Nicole B.

Ingredients:

For the donuts:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (to grease the donut pans)

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.

Notes:

*It’s fine if the melted butter solidifies when you whisk it in, that won’t cause any problems.