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Cinnamon Sugar Yogurt Doughnuts
These light, lemony doughnuts are our adaptation of a recipe for gogoși rapide from “Tava” by Irina Georgescu. She explains that they are a quick and easy baking powder-leavened version of Romanian gogoși, doughnuts that are made with yeasted dough that is rolled out and cut. The batter requires only a couple bowls for mixing, then 2-tablespoon portions are dropped into hot oil and fried until deep golden brown. (The simplest way to portion the batter is with a spring-loaded ice cream scoop, but in a pinch, 2 soupspoons work.) The doughnuts are fantastic simply tossed with cinnamon sugar, but serving them with cherry jam and crème fraîche is a flourish that makes them similar to papanași, a Romanian dessert of fried cheese-enriched dough topped with spoonfuls of fruit jam and smetana (a type of soured cream).
Makes about
20 doughnuts
Tip
Don’t substitute regular yogurt, or the batter will be too thin. Greek yogurt, which is thicker because it is lower in moisture, is the type to use. Also, don’t drop the doughnuts straight from the oil into the cinnamon sugar, otherwise the sugar will clump up. But don’t wait until the doughnuts are fully cooled, either, or the sugar won’t stick.
40 minutes
Ingredients
-
325
grams (2½ cups) all-purpose flour
-
214
grams (1 cup) white sugar, divided
Directions
-
01In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 107 grams (½ cup) of the sugar, the baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the yogurt, milk, lemon zest and almond extract; whisk until well combined. Add the yogurt mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just smooth; do not overmix. The batter will be thick and scoopable.
Reviews
April 10, 2026
Impressively simple and delicious
We could eat bowlfuls of these! WOW! The yoghurt, the lemon zest and touch of almond and the *ease* of making these, really impressively simple and delicious.
Thank you for a simple and elevated recipe of one of my favorite childhood desserts. It’s really special to be able to make these for my own kids now.
June 1, 2025
Delicious
Simple and delicious. The first time I made these, I didn't get the yogurt fully incorporated, which resulted in the occasional soft, yogurt streak running through the donuts. . . It was a delicious mistake that I hope to figure out how to repeat! Served with marmalade, fig jam, and creme fraiche on the side.
December 3, 2024
Delish
I used what I had on hand: half 0% fage greek yogurt and half mascarpone. Turned out nice.
January 7, 2024
Simple and Delicious
Since I was already frying something else up for dinner, I decided to take advantage of the hot oil and give these donuts a try. I made a half batch and the ingredients came together fast and easy and taste delicious! I even reheated the leftovers the next morning in the air fryer and am happy to say the crisp outside and fluffy inside texture were renewed. Next time I would like to try subbing the almond extract and lemon zest for orange extract and zest.
April 17, 2023
Best donuts ever!
I made two batches of these donuts; one as written and the second with a gluten free flour. The texture was no different between the two. The donuts are delicious and not heavy. I can't wait to make them again!
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