Easy Cinnabon Donuts Recipe

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I have been the most awful mother/wife/blogger/domestic person ever for the past approximately 72 hours. Like, horrendous. Want to know why??

Because I’ve been sucked up into the first two seasons of Melissa and Joey.

Ok, even I know how ridiculous that sounds. Seriously, though. I’ve tried to explain this before, but there are no words to describe just how sucked up into a story I get. It’s completely manic. Completely.

And it’s not just TV– it’s just about anything with a plot! Books, especially series (obviously). Movies– I’ve been known to watch the same movie over and over and over again in just a 2 or 3 day span. Just because I can’t let go. Because I get so. friggin. involved.

Focusing on anything else is just out of the question when I’m like this. I can’t write a blog post, I can’t do any of my networking. Baking is completely out the window, much less any sort of decent recipe development. My daughter spends the entire day in just her underwear (although, for those of you who follow me on instagram, we know that’s not actually unusual, don’t we?) and eats applesauce through a straw for 3 meals a day.

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I’d like to say that on some level this is a really great characteristic to have. Like, that it means I’m really imaginative. Or…. something. I mean, don’t we always talk about people who are “swept up by books” in this really admiring tone? Like they somehow, mystically supersede the humans who have grounded themselves on earth doing mundanely human things?

Anyway. I’d like to say it’s a good thing. But, frankly, it feels like some sort of crazy addiction, and I’m not sure I can make it until my next “hit.” …or is it “fix?”

I’m a little fuzzy on the substance abuse vernacular. But you get the idea right?

And then when the book/movie/season is over, I’m left stunned. Like there’s this blinding light welcoming me back to the world of deadlines, responsibilities, and meal planning. And I don’t want to come back, but I can’t see how to crawl back into wherever it was that I came from. And so I slowly reacquaint myself with my husband and daughter. And my inbox.

Gradually it all comes back to me… how to make dinner, where we keep the vacuum… maybe even wearing pants that button again! Eventually I remember that everything is ok. That I really, actually like my real life. Prefer it, even.

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Although, sometimes I do need a little convincing. Especially just out of the gate.

And that’s where good, old fashioned, dependable, reliable sugar-coated-fried-stuff comes into play. It wraps its loving arms around my waistline me and gently guides me back into the real world.

Have you heard of canned biscuit donuts? Most people have by now, I think. You simply deep fry canned biscuit dough and it emerges from the oil as this fresh, fluffy, golden donut. And you can frost it or coat it in cinnamon sugar, and it’s so amazing.

Well, this is the same thing– but with canned Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. And oh. em. gee. They are incredible.

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Easy Cinnabon Donuts

Ingredients

  • 1 can refrigerated Cinnabon cinnamon rolls
  • 1 inch vegetable oil for frying (I used about 3 cups in a 12" pan)
  • Optional: powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar glaze for coating

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil over medium (don't go higher or lower than medium) heat for approximately 10 minutes. I like to test the oil by flicking a few drops of water into it. If the water makes the oil bubble, it's ready.
  2. Prepare a place near the oil to put the donuts after frying. I like to use a wire rack covered in a couple of layers of paper towels for soaking up the oil.
  3. Carefully place each uncooked cinnamon roll into the oil. They will cook quickly, so don't go anywhere! Once the bottom is golden brown (approx. 2-3 minutes), flip the roll onto the other side using a fork or a pair of tongs.
  4. Once both sides are a golden brown, remove each roll to the towel lined rack for cooling.

 

Notes about this recipe:

  • I “punched” holes in the middle of my rolls using a small, circular cookie cutter before frying to make them more donut-like. Totally not necessary, but I liked it for the sake of looks. And my daughter loved eating the “holes.”
  • The options for coating/topping these donuts are endless and totally up to you. The obvious (but no less delicious) route would be to frost them with the Cinnabon frosting that comes with the can of dough. You could also make a simple powdered sugar glaze (by whisking 1 cup powdered sugar with milk, 1 tsp at a time, until desired consistency is reached). You could also coat them in powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. It all sounds wonderful! The donuts pictures have been glazed using a simple powdered sugar/milk glaze.

Donut Making Friends:

 

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21 thoughts on “Easy Cinnabon Donuts Recipe”

  1. I am the same. When I get into a show or a book and it ends…I’m devastated. Like, the people died or something because I’ll never see Lorelai and Rory again! {Seriously – deep depression when that one ended…} Anyway. I think I love you for these doughnuts. I want to fry their goodness right now!

    Reply
  2. Lol. I feel much better now. I thought I was the only one. I totally get sucked in by books and can’t put them down. Forget the hubby, kids, laundry, dishes, housework…sometimes I just need to finish the book. Right now however, I got sucked into a new series on TV, The Vampire Diaries. I am addicted. I have been watching them on Netflix trying to catch up to the current season. I really hate when a good series or book ends. Then I have to search for another one. Thanks for the mention by the way.

    Reply
  3. OMG, my kids are gonna love you! We always make the canned biscuit donuts (it’s really the only reason canned biscuits should even exist!) Just added the cinnamon rolls to my grocery list! And yeah, I’m terrible with a good book, I won’t sleep until I finish it, And I mean no sleep like 48 hours straight. Then I crash, but I just can’t put a good book down.

    Reply
  4. LOL! You’re just saying what most of us feel but just don’t say in fear of being called crazy! Thanks for sharing your story….and your donuts! Simple, but oh so yummy! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  5. Um, yes, these are definitely magical. Isn’t it so cool how you can fry a cinnamon roll and it turns into a DONUT? It’s like, life gives you one simple treasure in that moment ๐Ÿ™‚ hahah and I totally get your ability to be swept into books/movies/things! With certain TV shows, I’m like WAY involved and even have dreams about the plot or characters later, and I’m totally that way with books. I’ll even think about them long after I’ve read it, like, “that was so unfair of so=and-so to do that to this person” and like, hate on a character hahaha. I’m weird. Or imaginative! Yay!

    Reply
  6. Oh… my… actual… God.
    I think you’ve probably hit upon the universe’s most ideal food concoction!
    Also, when I saw the URL for your site I thought it said “Something’s wanky” and I chuckled.
    Thanks for brightening my day with your awesome site!

    Reply
  7. 1) I’ve never tried this biscuit turned donut phenom, but now I must.
    2) I have an unhealthy addiction to soap operas. I feel like it’s so much worse because I know how ridiculous the plot is and yet I just can’t turn away. When I was home for a year after having Bella I literally kept up with FIVE soaps a day. When I took my maternity leave this time with Sophia I made James ban me from those channels because it’s SO hard to walk away from and I have ZERO time for it now

    Reply

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