Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread offers a delightful twist on classic sweet bread with a rich cinnamon swirl and a buttery, sugary coating. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, it combines soft, moist texture with a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon molasses
• 1/2 cup melted butter (for coating)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (for coating)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a light-colored loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine canola oil, softened butter, and granulated sugar until well mixed. Add eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth. Gradually add in the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) and buttermilk, mixing until a uniform batter forms. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure there are no lumps.
3. Step 3: Transfer 1/2 cup of the prepared batter into a smaller bowl. Add cinnamon and molasses to this portion and stir until combined.
4. Step 4: Pour half of the plain batter into the bottom of the loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon batter in small dollops over the plain batter. Pour the remaining plain batter over the cinnamon batter. Drop the remaining cinnamon batter on top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the two batters together.
5. Step 5: Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Step 6: While the loaf is baking, prepare the coating. Pour melted butter into a large shallow dish. In another shallow dish, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
7. Step 7: Allow the loaf to cool for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges and remove the loaf from the pan. It should be warm but not too hot to handle.
8. Step 8: Dip each side of the loaf into the melted butter until fully coated. Spoon any remaining melted butter over the edges for added crispiness. Then transfer the loaf to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and press it into the sides and top until fully coated.
9. Step 9: Slice the loaf into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious cinnamon swirl donut bread!

Tips & Variations

• Use buttermilk for a tangier flavor and extra moist crumb; if unavailable, the milk and vinegar substitute works well.
• Swirl gently to keep distinct layers of plain and cinnamon batter, creating a pretty marbled effect.
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon batter for extra crunch.
• If you prefer a softer crust, skip dipping in melted butter and sprinkle the sugar mixture on top instead.

Storage

Store leftover sweet bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds to enjoy warm again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and use a plant-based milk with vinegar to mimic buttermilk.

Can I bake this in a different pan shape?

Yes, you can use a bundt pan or muffin tins, but baking times may vary. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick and adjusting time accordingly.

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 86 reviews

This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread is a delightful treat combining the soft, moist texture of a sweet bread with the warm flavors of cinnamon and a sweet sugar coating reminiscent of classic cinnamon sugar donuts. Swirled with cinnamon and molasses, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a buttery cinnamon-sugar crust, this bread is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 slices 1x
• Category: Sweet Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread Batter

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

Cinnamon Swirl Batter

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon molasses

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a light-colored loaf pan thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
2. Make the Base Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the canola oil, softened butter, and granulated sugar until fully blended. Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the dry ingredients — all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt — alternating with the buttermilk, stirring well to form a smooth, lump-free batter. Scrape the bowl sides to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
3. Prepare Cinnamon Swirl Batter: Transfer about half a cup of the prepared plain batter into a smaller bowl. To this portion, add the cinnamon and molasses, then mix thoroughly until well combined and evenly colored.
4. Layer and Swirl Batter: Pour half of the plain batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Spoon dollops of half the cinnamon batter over the plain batter layer. Carefully pour the remaining plain batter on top, followed by spooning the remaining cinnamon batter in dollops over the top layer. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the two batters together to create a marbled cinnamon effect without overmixing.
5. Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, indicating the bread is perfectly baked but still moist inside.
6. Prepare Coating: While the bread bakes, melt the butter and pour it into a large shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Cool and Remove Loaf: Once baked, let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully loosen the edges with a knife and remove the loaf while still warm enough to handle without being too hot.
8. Coat with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar: Dip each side of the warm loaf into the melted butter until fully covered. Spoon any remaining melted butter over the edges for extra moisture and crispness. Immediately transfer the butter-coated loaf to the cinnamon sugar mixture and press gently to coat all sides and the top completely.
9. Slice and Serve: Slice the loaf into desired pieces and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the warm, cinnamon-swirled goodness of this donut-inspired sweet bread!

Notes

• Use room temperature eggs to ensure the batter mixes well and gives a better texture.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own by adding 1/2 teaspoon vinegar to 1/2 cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Greasing the loaf pan thoroughly helps with easy removal of the bread after baking.
• The swirling step should be done gently to keep distinct layers and a pretty marbled effect.
• For an extra donut-like finish, serve slices with a drizzle of warm glaze or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
• This bread is best enjoyed within 2 days fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Cinnamon Sugar Bread, Donut Bread, Sweet Bread, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Breakfast Bread, Dessert Bread