Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts (Made with Brown Butter)

Ingredients:

For the Brown Butter Donuts:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons (35g) unsalted butter, melted until browned
• 1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup (106g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (113ml) milk (whole milk preferred)
• Optional additions:
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (in the batter)
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (199g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Optional additions:
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (in the sugar mixture)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (in the sugar mixture)

Instructions:

For the Brown Butter Donuts:

1. Preheat oven & prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 6-mold donut pan with non-stick spray.
2. Brown butter: Place butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and nutty-smelling. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, and optional cinnamon. Set aside.
4. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine browned butter and brown sugar. Beat well. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Stir in milk.
5. Combine wet and dry: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, being careful not to overmix.
6. Fill donut pan: Spoon or pipe batter into prepared pan and bake for 10-11 minutes, or until donuts spring back when lightly pressed.
7. Cool donuts: Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before gently unmolding them and transferring them to a cooling rack.
8. Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: While donuts cool, prepare the coating.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

1. Melt butter: Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat or in the microwave.
2. Combine sugar mixture: In a wide, shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar, cinnamon, and optional cloves and ginger.

Assembly:

1. Coat donuts: When donuts are cool enough to handle, dip them in melted butter, coating both sides and edges, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Notes:

• Donuts are best eaten the day they’re made.
• Optional additions: Add cinnamon or lemon zest to the batter for extra flavor. Add cloves or ginger to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a more complex spice profile.

Enjoy your delicious Brown Butter Baked Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar Coating!