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Easy Baked Sugar Donuts Recipe: Light, Buttery, and Ready in 30 Minutes

Easy Baked Sugar Donuts

These tender baked cake donuts are gently seasoned with nutmeg, brushed with melted butter, and coated in granulated sugar. The recipe makes 12 standard donuts and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Donuts
  • 2 cups (250 g) All-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) Granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) Milk
  • 2 eggs Large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Sugar Coating
  • 4 tablespoons (56 g) Unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup (100-150 g) Granulated sugar

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 12-cavity donut pan.
  2. Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, melted slightly cooled butter, and vanilla extract.
  4. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. A few small lumps are fine, so do not overmix.
  5. Transfer the batter to the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds to three-quarters full.
  6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the donuts are lightly golden and spring back when touched.
  7. Cool the donuts in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
  8. Brush or dip each slightly warm donut in melted butter, then coat generously with granulated sugar.

Notes

Spoon flour into measuring cups and level it, or use the gram measurement, because packed flour can make the donuts dense. Coat the donuts while they are slightly warm but not hot so the butter adheres evenly. Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy promptly for the best texture.