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    Home » Recipes » Cupcakes

    Easy Baked Churro Donuts

    Published: Mar 11, 2021 · Modified: May 24, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Stack of donuts with text: How to make churro donuts.
    Donuts on a wire rack with text: Churro Donuts.

    Enjoy the cinnamon sugar flavor of churros in Churro Donuts! These easy, oven-baked doughnuts are served with a tasty chocolate dipping sauce. Perfect to enjoy with a fresh cup of hot coffee.

    Donut with a bite out on a wooden board next to more donuts.

    We all love Churros, right? I thought so. How about instead of fried churros, we get all that lovely flavor and make them into Churros Donuts!

    Cinnamon-spiced baked donuts are quickly whipped up and cooked in the oven. Then they’re covered in a tasty cinnamon sugar. Perfect served alongside a chocolate dipping sauce.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients 
    • Step By Step Tutorial
    • Tips 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Special diets
    • Storage 
    • FAQs 
    • More Baked Donut Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Typically, donuts have always been a treat that you buy from the store or a restaurant but they don’t have to be!

    You can make fresh donuts at home right in your oven by baking them in a donut pan.

    This not only makes them healthier, but you won’t be dealing with the mess of oil and grease when frying. Still, there's always a place in my heart for fried churros and fried donuts!

    Baking donuts makes it easy for the simple topping of cinnamon and sugar to stick making them taste just like a churro!

    Pair it with a simple chocolate sauce for dipping and you’ve got a decadent breakfast, tasty snack or fun dessert that everyone will enjoy.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    The base donut recipe is super versatile and can be flavored and topped many different ways and dipped in many different sauces. This one is full of warming cinnamon.

    Churro Donuts use simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your baking pantry.

    Cinnamon and sugar is such a great flavorful topping because it combines sugar and spice and is even better when dipped in chocolate.

    An American take on Spanish or Mexican churros by putting the flavors into round ring donuts.

    They are a much healthier donut because they are baked in a donut pan and not fried in oil.

    You can make these much faster than traditional donuts because the recipe doesn’t require many dishes.

    They make a wonderful presentation to bring to a brunch or for breakfast on a slower morning.

    Cooling rack of donuts.

    Ingredients 

    • All Purpose Flour - (aka plain flour) The dry ingredient base for the donut recipe.
    • Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the donuts.
    • Baking Powder - Helps the donuts rise and become fluffy.
    • Ground Cinnamon - Gives a nice cinnamon flavor on the inside.
    • Milk - Needed to thin out the batter so it bakes perfectly.
    • Egg - Binds the donut batter together and helps it form a crust on the outside.
    • Melted Butter - Gives the donuts a rich texture and buttery taste.
    • Vanilla Extract - Adds a light vanilla flavor throughout.

    For the churros topping:

    • Sugar - Granulated sugar sweetens the topping and has a great crunchy texture.
    • Ground Cinnamon - A classic flavor and spice in churros.
    • Melted Butter - This is brushed on to the donuts to make the churro topping stick well. 

    For the chocolate dipping sauce: 

    • Chocolate Chips - The chocolate base of the sauce that gets melted.
    • Heavy Cream - (aka double cream) Needed to thin out the chocolate and help it form into a sauce.

    You’ll also need a donut pan.

    Step By Step Tutorial

    Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

    Collage: 1 greasing donut pan, 2 dry ingredients in bowl, 3 wet ingredients in jug.

    For the donuts:

    Preheat the oven to 350F/175C. Spray or brush a donut pan with oil.

    Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon together in a mixing bowl.

    In a small bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, egg and vanilla.

    Collage: 1 wet ingredients added, 2 mixed, 3 batter in donut pan, 4 baked.

    Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until combined, but don’t overbeat.

    Spoon the mixture into the donut pan, then bake for 10 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

    Leave the donuts in the pan for a minute or two, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Collage: 1 bowl of cinnamon sugar and dish of melted butter, 2 brushing butter on donuts, 3 donut in cinnamon sugar.
    1. Stir the sugar and cinnamon together and place into a shallow bowl.
    2. Melt the butter for the topping.
    3. When the donuts are cold, brush them with melted butter on one side, then dip in the cinnamon sugar.

    Chocolate Dipping Sauce:

    1. Melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler or in the microwave until melted.
    2. Whisk in the heavy cream until a smooth sauce is formed.
    3. Add to a bowl for dipping your churro donuts into!

    Tips 

    • Let the donuts cool before removing them from the pan, this will help keep them from crumbling while they are still hot.
    • If melting chocolate chips in the microwave, make sure you are melting in 30 second intervals to prevent the chocolate from burning.
    • It’s important that the donut pan is greased fully to prevent the donuts from sticking.
    • Doughnuts should be topped with churro topping AFTER they are baked and fully cooled or the sugar will melt into them.
    • If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can cook them in a muffin pan, just check and adjust the cooking time as needed.

    Serving Suggestions

    Bring to brunch along with these beautiful Cinnamon Scones.

    Chop up any leftovers and use them in a yogurt parfait and top with Blackberry Compote.

    Bake them up along with an easy one-bowl Banana Bread.

    Serve them with a warm cup of Sweet Potato Latte.

    Enjoy with a Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee.

    Serve as a dessert to a Spanish meal of Spanish Beans and Spanish Omelet.

    Enjoy with a Mexican meal of Air Fryer Vegetarian Tacos, Mexican Bean Soup and Mini Elote (mini Mexican street corn).

    Variations

    Instead of chocolate sauce, use ready made Nutella for a chocolatey hazelnut dip. Stir it well and warm it slightly. 

    Dust the cooled and topped donuts with some powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation and sweetness.

    Replace any cinnamon in the recipe with a Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend for a fall flavor. 

    Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a unique almond flavored churro donut.

    Make a rich Fruit Compote and blend until it’s a sauce consistency for dipping.

    Donuts on a wooden board.

    Special diets

    To Make Gluten Free: To make this recipe gluten free, use a gluten free flour blend in place of the all purpose flour. The gluten free flour should already contain Xanthan gum or be a 1:1 gluten free baking swap. 

    To Make It Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, you’ll need to use an egg replacer and replace the milk with a plant based milk. Also be sure to use vegan chocolate chips when making the chocolate sauce.

    NOTE: I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. If you have a food allergy or intolerance you should determine whether the ingredients in each recipe are suitable for you.

    Storage 

    Storing: These churro donuts can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days. If they start to become a bit dry as the days go on, warm them in the microwave for 15 second intervals.

    Freezing: You can freeze cooked and cooled churros donuts in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw on the countertop when they are ready to use.

    FAQs 

    Are churros and donuts the same? While they have similar ingredients, churros are more like donut sticks whereas these donuts are round in shape.

    What are traditional churros? They are a fried stick of dough that is topped with some combination of cinnamon, sugar and/or powdered sugar and originated in Spain and Portugal and are also popular in Mexico - as well as festivals and food trucks around the western world.

    Can I fry these donuts? You can! But I have not tested them out this way as they taste delicious baked in a simple donut pan.

    More Baked Donut Recipes

    Lemon Spinach Donuts
    Irish Cream Baked Donuts
    Earl Grey Chocolate Donuts
    Pumpkin Donuts with Chocolate Glaze
    Grapefruit Watercress Donuts

    Looking down at a table with donuts and chocolate sauce.
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    📖 Recipe

    Donut with a bite out next to more donuts.

    Baked Churro Donuts

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    Enjoy the cinnamon sugar flavor of churros in Churro Donuts! Easy oven baked doughnuts served with a chocolate dipping sauce.
    5 from 5 votes
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, Mexican, Spanish
    Servings 6
    Calories 206 kcal

    Equipment

    • Donut pan

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour / plain flour
    • ⅓ cup (70 grams) granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ⅓ cup (80ml) milk
    • 1 egg
    • 2 tablespoons butter melted and cooled slightly
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    For the churros coating

    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon butter melted

    For the chocolate dipping sauce

    • ½ cup (80g) chocolate chips
    • 1 tablespoons heavy cream double cream

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Spray or brush a donut pan with oil.
    • Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon together in a mixing bowl.
    • In a small bow, whisk the milk, melted butter, egg and vanilla, then pour into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until combined, but don’t overbeat.
    • Spoon the mixture into the donut pan, then bake for 10 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
    • Leave the donuts in the pan for a minute or two, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    For the churro coating

    • Meanwhile, stir the sugar and cinnamon together and place into a shallow bowl.
    • Melt the butter for the topping.
    • When the donuts are cold, brush them with melted butter on one side, then dip in the cinnamon sugar.

    For the chocolate dipping sauce

    • Melt the chocolate chips, then beat into the cream. Or serve with Nutella.

    Notes

    **You will need a donut pan
    • Let the donuts cool before removing them from the pan, this will help keep them from crumbling while they are still hot.
    • If melting chocolate chips in the microwave, make sure you are melting in 30 second intervals to prevent the chocolate from burning.
    • It’s important that the donut pan is greased fully to prevent the donuts from sticking.
    • Donuts should be topped with churro topping AFTER they are baked and fully cooled or the sugar will melt into them.
    • If you don’t have a donut pan, you can cook them in a muffin pan, just check and adjust the cooking time as needed.
    Storing: These churro donuts can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days. If they start to become a bit dry as the days go on, warm them in the microwave for 15 second intervals.
    Freezing: You can freeze cooked and cooled churros donuts in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw on the countertop when they are ready to use.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 279IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela

      March 14, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      A combo of my two favorite treats! These are super easy to make and so good. The kids loved them. YUM!

      Reply
    2. Wanda

      March 11, 2021 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      Anything churro and I'm in! I just need to find me one of those donut pans!

      Reply
    3. Beth

      March 11, 2021 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! These look amazing and so yummy! I can't wait to give these a try! My teens are going to love these!

      Reply
    4. Claudia Lamascolo

      March 11, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love that these are baked and cinnamon is my sons favorite I am going to surprise him for dessert tonight!

      Reply
    5. Pam

      March 11, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      I've never tried baking donuts before, but with all of your great tips I'm ready to give it a go!

      Reply

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    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

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    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Healthy Recipes

    • Butternut Squash Salad
    • Easy Healthy Cabbage Soup
    • Easy Vegan Ramen (15 minutes)
    • Rajma Masala (Kidney Bean Curry)

    My cookbook

    Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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