There’s something magical about the smell of warm cinnamon sugar donut holes fresh from the oven – it instantly takes me back to Saturday mornings at my grandma’s house. She’d have a batch ready by the time we woke up, with little bowls of chocolate sauce for dipping that we’d fight over. Now I make these easy baked cinnamon sugar donut holes for my own kids, and let me tell you, they disappear even faster than grandma’s did!

What I love most (besides how ridiculously delicious they are) is how simple they come together. No yeast, no waiting for dough to rise, no messy deep frying – just mix, bake, roll in cinnamon sugar, and dunk in that rich chocolate sauce. These little bites of heaven are perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts, after-school treats, or even last-minute dessert when friends drop by. The best part? Your kitchen will smell like a cozy bakery all day long.

Trust me, once you try these warm, pillowy donut holes with their crunchy cinnamon sugar coating and smooth chocolate dip, you’ll never go back to store-bought again. Let me show you how easy it is to make everyone’s new favorite treat!

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Listen, I know we all have those recipes we keep going back to – the ones that never fail to put smiles on faces. These donut holes are absolutely one of those magical recipes. Here’s why they’ve become my go-to:

• So easy a kid could make them (and mine do!) – no yeast, no waiting, just mix and bake
• Ready in under 30 minutes from bowl to first delicious bite
• That irresistible cinnamon sugar crunch gives way to the softest, pillowy center
• The chocolate dipping sauce? Pure luxury – rich, silky, and dangerously dunkable
• Perfect for sharing at brunches, bake sales, or as an “I love you” surprise
• Seriously – I’ve seen grown adults turn into giddy kids when these come out of the oven

Honestly, the hardest part is not eating them all before they make it to the serving plate. But hey, no judgement if you “test” a few – I always do!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these little bites of heaven. I like to measure everything out first – my grandma called it “mise en place” and it makes the whole process so much smoother!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, don’t pack it!)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (the regular white kind works best here)
• 1 tbsp baking powder (yes, tablespoon – this gives them that perfect puff)
• 1/2 tsp salt (I use kosher, but table salt works too)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (the good stuff – trust me, you’ll taste the difference)
• 3/4 cup milk (whole milk makes them richest, but any kind works)
• 1 large egg (room temperature blends in better)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (pure vanilla if you have it)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for that irresistible cinnamon sugar coating)
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for coating – this is where you can go heavy handed!)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet is my favorite balance)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (makes the sauce luxuriously smooth)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No heavy cream? Whole milk works for the sauce, though it won’t be quite as rich. For gluten-free, swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend – the texture comes out great. And if you’re out of vanilla, a dash of almond extract makes a fun twist (just use half the amount). The chocolate sauce is also fantastic with dark chocolate chips if you prefer something less sweet. Really, the only thing I wouldn’t change is that cinnamon sugar coating – that’s pure magic right there!

Equipment You’ll Need

Good news – you probably have everything already! Here’s what you’ll grab:

• Mini muffin pan (a regular one works too, you’ll just get fewer donut holes)
• Two mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients – my grandma would insist!)
• Whisk (or fork in a pinch)
• Small saucepan for the chocolate sauce
• Spoon or small cookie scoop for portioning batter

That’s it! No fancy gadgets needed for these little bites of joy.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these irresistible little bites! I promise it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps and you’ll have donut holes that’ll make you feel like a professional baker (even if you’re still getting flour everywhere like I do).

Preparing the Donut Holes

First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your mini muffin pan really well. Nothing worse than donut holes that stick! Now, in one bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.

Here’s the key: pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally fine – they’ll bake out. The batter should be thick but spoonable, kind of like muffin batter. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to fill each muffin cup about halfway – they puff up beautifully!

Bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re golden and spring back when lightly touched. While they bake, mix your cinnamon sugar coating in a shallow bowl. As soon as those babies come out of the oven, roll them warm in the mixture – that’s when the sugar sticks best!

Making the Chocolate Dipping Sauce

This part couldn’t be easier. Heat your heavy cream until it’s steaming (but not boiling), then pour it over the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute – this is important! – then stir until it’s gloriously smooth and shiny. If any stubborn chips remain, pop the bowl in the microwave for 10 seconds and stir again.

Now comes the best part – dip those warm cinnamon sugar donut holes and enjoy the melty, chocolatey goodness!

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes

After making these donut holes more times than I can count (and eating even more!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

• Don’t overmix the batter – stir just until the flour disappears. A few lumps are fine! Overmixing makes them tough.
• Roll them while they’re piping hot – the warmth helps the cinnamon sugar stick in that perfect crunchy layer.
• Let the chocolate sauce sit after pouring the hot cream – those extra 60 seconds make all the difference for smooth, lump-free dipping.
• Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized donut holes that bake at the same rate.
• If your sauce thickens as it cools, just zap it for 5 seconds in the microwave and give it a stir.

Oh, and my biggest tip? Make a double batch – these disappear faster than you can say “just one more!”

Storing and Reheating

These donut holes are best fresh, but if you miraculously have leftovers (ha!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The chocolate sauce keeps separately in the fridge for about a week. To revive them, just pop the donut holes in the microwave for 10 seconds – they’ll taste freshly baked again!

FAQs About Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

I get asked about these donut holes all the time – here are the questions that come up most often in my kitchen (usually while people are reaching for seconds!):

Can I fry these instead of baking?
Absolutely! If you want that classic fried donut texture, heat oil to 375°F and fry the scooped batter for 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels before rolling in cinnamon sugar. But honestly? The baked version is so much easier and just as delicious!

How do I keep the chocolate sauce from hardening?
The trick is to keep it warm! I put the bowl on a heating pad or over a pot of barely simmering water during serving. If it does thicken, just add a teaspoon of warm cream and stir until smooth again.

Can I make these ahead?
You bet! The baked donut holes freeze beautifully for up to a month. Just thaw at room temperature and give them a quick 5-second microwave zap before serving. The chocolate sauce reheats like a dream too.

Why do mine come out dense instead of light?
Overmixing is usually the culprit! Stir the batter just until combined – it should look lumpy. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh. I replace mine every 3 months to guarantee perfect puff.

Can I use muffin tins if I don’t have a mini pan?
Of course! A regular muffin tin will work – just bake for 12-15 minutes and cut the baked muffins into quarters before rolling in cinnamon sugar. They’ll be bigger, but just as tasty!

Nutritional Information

Just a quick note – these nutrition facts are estimates per serving (about 2 donut holes with sauce). Actual values will vary slightly depending on your exact ingredients and how generously you coat them in that irresistible cinnamon sugar!

I’d love to hear how your cinnamon sugar donut holes turn out! Did your family go crazy for them? Tag me on social media or leave a comment – and don’t forget to lick that chocolate sauce bowl clean!

35-Minute Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes – Heavenly!

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• Author: ushinzomr
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 donut holes 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Easy-to-make cinnamon sugar donut holes with a rich chocolate dipping sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, mix milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Spoon batter into the mini muffin pan, filling each cup halfway.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.
7. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
8. Roll warm donut holes in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
9. For the sauce, heat heavy cream and pour over chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
10. Serve donut holes with chocolate dipping sauce.

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container.
• Reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds if needed.
• Use a piping bag for neater donut holes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 donut holes
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: cinnamon sugar donut holes, chocolate sauce, easy dessert