Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread brings the flavors of a classic cinnamon donut to a soft, swirled loaf. It’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, combining a tender crumb with a crispy cinnamon-sugar coating.

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

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.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) and buttermilk to the wet mixture, mixing until a uniform batter forms. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Step 4: Transfer 1/2 cup of the prepared batter into a smaller bowl. Add cinnamon and molasses to this portion and stir until combined.
5. Step 5: 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.
6. Step 6: Drop the remaining cinnamon batter on top. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the two batters together to create a marbled effect.
7. Step 7: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Step 8: 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.
9. Step 9: Allow the loaf to cool for 10 minutes before loosening the edges and removing it from the pan. The loaf should be warm but not hot to handle.
10. Step 10: Dip each side of the loaf into the melted butter until fully coated. Spoon any remaining melted butter over the edges for added crispiness.
11. Step 11: Transfer the buttery loaf to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and press it into the sides and top until fully coated.
12. Step 12: 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 or make your own by mixing milk with vinegar as a substitute.
• Add chopped nuts or raisins to the cinnamon batter for extra texture and flavor.
• For a richer coating, sprinkle additional cinnamon sugar mixture immediately after dipping in melted butter while still warm.

Storage

Store the sweet bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it longer, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds to enjoy the warm, soft texture again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different oil instead of canola oil?

Yes, vegetable oil or melted coconut oil can be used as alternatives, but avoid strongly flavored oils as they may alter the taste.

What if I don’t have molasses?

If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute it with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup for a slightly different but still flavorful cinnamon swirl.

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 120 reviews

This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread is a moist, tender loaf with swirls of cinnamon and molasses, baked to perfection and coated in a crispy cinnamon-sugar butter glaze. The loaf offers the delightful flavors of classic cinnamon sugar donuts in an easy-to-make sweet bread form, perfect for breakfast or a comforting snack.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 slices 1x
• Category: Sweet Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

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 the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a light-colored loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside to ensure the bread doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the canola oil, softened butter, and granulated sugar until well mixed. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, which will create a rich base for the batter.
3. Add Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt – into the wet mixture along with the buttermilk. Mix until a uniform batter forms and scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Prepare Cinnamon Batter: Transfer half a cup of the prepared plain batter into a smaller bowl. Add cinnamon and molasses to this portion and stir until fully combined, creating a flavorful cinnamon swirl batter.
5. Layer Batters in Pan: Pour half of the plain batter into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon batter in small dollops over the plain batter. Then pour the remaining plain batter over this layer and drop the remaining cinnamon batter on top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the two batters together to create a beautiful marbled effect.
6. Bake the Bread: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. This ensures the bread is fully cooked but still moist and tender.
7. Prepare Coating: While the bread is baking, pour melted butter into a large shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon to prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating.
8. Cool and Coat the Loaf: Allow the loaf to cool for 10 minutes before loosening the edges and removing it from the pan. The loaf should be warm enough to handle but not too hot. Dip each side of the loaf into the melted butter until fully coated. Spoon any remaining melted butter over the edges for extra crispiness. Then press the loaf into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until all sides and the top are fully coated.
9. Slice and Serve: Slice the loaf into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the sweet, cinnamony, buttery flavors reminiscent of a cinnamon sugar donut in every bite.

Notes

• Using a light-colored loaf pan ensures even baking and prevents over-browning.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, combine 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes to sour before using.
• The swirling technique creates a beautiful marbled effect but avoid over-mixing to maintain distinct cinnamon swirls.
• For an extra indulgent touch, serve slices with a drizzle of glaze or cream cheese frosting.
• Store leftovers wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Cinnamon sugar bread, sweet bread, cinnamon swirl bread, breakfast bread, donut-inspired bread