Skip to Content

Cake Donuts From Scratch

These Homemade Cake Donuts are one of my favorite treats! They are warm and fresh and so tender, and I just love the crumb here. When you combine that with cinnamon sugar? Shut the front door because I am going nowhere that doesn’t include these doughnuts, too. 

Cake Donuts

Homemade Cake Donuts

I have a new favorite treat.

These from-scratch cake donuts are not only dangerously good, but they are super easy. The dough came together in minutes, and the frying only takes about 2 minutes per batch, at the most.

I coated these in cinnamon sugar, heavy on the cinnamon because that’s what I had in the house, but if I do them again I am going to opt for some powdered sugar and some iced/glazed. They would hold up to either amazingly well.

Cake donuts are a delicious and straightforward treat that brings a touch of sweetness to any day. Unlike their yeast-raised counterparts, cake donuts are leavened with baking powder, resulting in a denser, tender crumb. This recipe for cake donuts incorporates a perfect blend of sugar, a hint of cinnamon, and the richness of milk and butter, fried to golden and then tossed in a cinnamon-sugar coating for that irresistible finish.

Why you’ll love it!

  • Simple Ingredients: Utilizes basic ingredients typically found in your pantry.
  • Comfort Food: Offers a warm, sugary treat that satisfies your sweet tooth.
  • Quick Preparation: From start to finish, you can have fresh donuts in under an hour.
  • Customizable: Easy to adapt with different coatings or flavorings.

More great BREAKFAST RECIPES here!

Cake Donuts 2-5

Cinnamon Sugar Cake Donuts shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Bread Flour
  • White Sugar
  • Salt
  • Baking Powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Half and Half
  • Egg
  • Oil for Frying
  • Cinnamon & Sugar for Coating
Cake Donuts from OrWhateverYouDo.com

How To Make Cake Donuts

Mix

Start by mixing up the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in one bowl. In another, melt two tablespoons of butter.

In another bowl, add 1/4 cup milk, and 1/4 cup half-and-half, and then toss an egg in and whisk until combined.

Drizzle the butter into the flour mixture and stir until it is crumbly.

Cake Donuts from OrWhateverYouDo.com

Next, pour in the egg/milk/half-and-half, and stir until a ball forms.

Cake Donuts from OrWhateverYouDo.com

KNEAD

Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and knead by hand for about 2 minutes, or until it becomes smooth.

Cake Donuts from OrWhateverYouDo.com

ROLL

Roll out to about 1/4 – 1/3 of an inch in thickness and then cut into rounds using two different sizes of cookie cutters. I only have these cute flowery ones, but they worked just fine.

Cake Donuts from OrWhateverYouDo.com

FRY

Heat up about 2 inches of oil in a large skillet or stockpot, over medium heat. My oil was at about 350℉. You can also use a deep fryer for these if you’d like.

You don’t have to be super precise about the temp. You can test your oil by frying up one of the donut holes first. If it starts bubbling when it hits the oil, and takes about 30-45 seconds to brown before you flip it, the oil is at the right temperature.

Fry the donuts in batches, flipping halfway through, until both sides are browned.

Cake Donuts from OrWhateverYouDo.com

TOSS

Remove to your cinnamon sugar mixture and toss to coat. You could also use powdered sugar, or glaze. The possibilities are endless!

Cake Donuts

More Sweets To Enjoy

Cake Donuts
Yield: 8 servings

Cake Donuts From Scratch

Cake Donuts From Scratch

Delicious cake donuts can be made right at home, and in less than an hour! You're going to love these sweet, homemade treats.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups bread flour
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Oil for frying
  • Cinnamon & sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combing flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
  2. Drizzle melted butter in and stir until the mixture is crumbly.
  3. Whisk together the milk, half and half, and egg. Pour into the flour/butter mixture and stir until a ball forms.
  4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 2-3 minutes, until dough smooths out.
  5. Roll out to 1/4 - 1/3 inch thick, cut into donut shapes, and fry at 350° for about 60-90 seconds, flipping halfway through.
  6. Remove to cinnamon sugar mixture and toss to coat.
  7. ENJOY!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 212Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 247mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 4g

Love this recipe? Tell your friends!

Follow on Instagram for more!

Nicole Johnson
 | Website

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Tracy

Monday 27th of February 2017

Hi, I'm from England and don't know what half and half is could you explain please because I really want to make these. Thank you Tracy

Nicole Johnson

Monday 27th of February 2017

Hi Tracy! Half and half is just half heavy whipping cream, and half milk. In the UK it is called Single Cream I believe!

Strawberry Crescent Braid - Or Whatever You Do

Monday 12th of January 2015

[…] Cake Donuts from Scratch […]

Lizeth

Sunday 24th of August 2014

These look amazing!! Will definitely make☺️

Pam Cardinal

Monday 2nd of September 2013

looks good

Ann King

Friday 12th of April 2013

These cake donuts are the BEST ever! So easy. So Yummy! Thanks Nicole for yet **ANOTHER** great recipe!

Skip to Recipe