Imagine getting the snug feeling of freshly baked sweet bread with the satisfying snap of a sugar-dusted donut in one bite. That's what you'll get with this Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread. It's a soft, juicy loaf wrapped in a sweet, crispy exterior that works for morning meals, afternoon snacks, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. The buttery taste and warm cinnamon smell make this an easy but fancy treat anyone can whip up.
I baked this for a family get-together last Sunday, and everyone kept coming back for more. It's basically having a sweet treat first thing in the morning! Even if you're not that great at baking, you can't mess this one up. I sometimes toss in some crushed pecans for extra bite. It's so simple to make the recipe your own.
What's Inside and Why It Matters
* All-Purpose Flour (2 ½ cups): Forms the base of your bread, giving it structure and softness.
* Baking Powder (2 tsp): Makes your loaf puff up nicely.
* Salt (½ tsp): Cuts through sweetness and brings out other flavors.
* Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp in bread, 2 tsp for outside): Gives that cozy spice to both inside and outside layers.
* Unsalted Butter (½ cup for bread, ½ cup for outside): Adds moisture inside, while melted butter helps sugar stick outside.
* Granulated Sugar (1 cup in bread, ½ cup for outside): Sweetens the inside and creates that yummy crunchy coating.
* Eggs (2 large): Hold everything together and add moisture.
* Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Boosts overall taste with subtle sweetness.
* Milk (½ cup): Keeps your bread soft and moist.
Creating Your Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread
Setting Up
Warm your oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat an 8x4-inch or 9x5-inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray to make sure nothing sticks.
Combining Dry Stuff
Grab a medium bowl and mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together. Put this aside for now.
Blending Butter and Sugar
In a bigger bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until it looks pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes with a mixer.
Adding Wet Ingredients
Put eggs in one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in vanilla until you can't see it anymore.
Putting Everything Together
Slowly add your dry mix to the wet stuff, switching with milk as you go. Start and finish with dry ingredients. Mix just enough to combine everything. Don't go overboard or your bread will turn out heavy.
Baking Time
Dump the mix into your ready pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle.
Making The Sweet Coating
While baking happens, melt butter in a small bowl. In another bowl, stir sugar and cinnamon together.
Adding The Finish
When done, let bread sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Take it out onto a wire rack, brush all over with melted butter, then roll in your cinnamon-sugar mix until completely covered.
Pin itDelicious Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread | recipesbytina.com
I always bake this during winter celebrations. Everyone goes crazy for it, and my house smells fantastic while it's in the oven!
Foods That Go Well With It
Enjoy this treat warm alongside coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for a comfy snack. For something extra fancy, put butter on a slice or drizzle some caramel over it. Fresh fruit works great with it too, or try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream when serving it as dessert.
Different Ways To Make It
Chocolate Surprise: Mix in ½ cup of chocolate chips before baking for a sweet surprise inside.
Crunchy Version: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for some texture contrast.
Sweet Topping: Pour a simple sugar glaze across the top for extra sweetness.
Keeping It Fresh
Keep your bread in a sealed container at room temp for up to 3 days. To keep it longer, wrap it tight and freeze for up to 3 months. To warm it up, pop slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.
I keep coming back to this Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread time after time. It's quick, tasty, and always brings joy to everyone who tries it. Whether you're making it just for yourself or sharing with friends and family, it's a treat that always hits the spot.
Pin itTasty Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread | recipesbytina.com
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can regular milk replace buttermilk?
Sure! Combine a cup of milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, then wait 5 minutes for it to curdle.
→ Is the bread freezable?
Yep, wrap it up tight and freeze it for up to a month. Let it thaw at room temp when ready to eat.
→ What’s the best way to keep leftovers fresh?
Use an airtight container. Keep it at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate to enjoy within a week.
→ Can nuts or raisins be included?
For sure, toss ½ cup of raisins or chopped nuts into the batter if you’re in the mood for a little crunch or extra sweetness.
→ How should this bread be served?
It’s delicious warm or cooled, paired with coffee or tea. You can even drizzle a sweet glaze on top!
Cinnamon Donut Bread
Fluffy bread swirled with cinnamon-sugar and topped with the perfect buttery coating. A donut-like bite you’ll love anytime!
021 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or mix 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice with milk to make 1 cup)
03½ teaspoon baking soda
042 large eggs
05½ teaspoon salt
061 teaspoon baking powder
07½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
081 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
092 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
→ Cinnamon Sugar
101 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
11⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
→ Finishing Touch
12¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
132 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
141 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step 01
Warm your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x5 pan with parchment paper or coat it with grease and dust with flour.
Step 02
Using a medium-sized bowl, mix up the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 03
Whip the butter (softened) and sugar together until it’s fluffy and lighter in texture. This should only take 2–3 minutes.
Step 04
Add the eggs one at a time, blending well. Lastly, throw in the vanilla extract and mix it all together.
Step 05
Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet, alternating with buttermilk. You should start and end with the dry mix. Don’t overdo the mixing—stop when it’s just combined.
Step 06
Spread half of the batter into the loaf pan, then sprinkle on half of the cinnamon sugar. Pour the rest of the batter over it and finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar. Use a knife to swirl it gently throughout.
Step 07
Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Leave it in the pan for 10 minutes, then move it to a cooling rack.
Step 08
While the bread is still warm, brush the melted butter on top. Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it generously over the surface.
Step 09
Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing into it. Serve it alone or pair with tea or coffee.
Notes
Want extra sweetness? Drizzle a powdered sugar and milk glaze over the top once the bread has cooled.
Keep leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days at room temp or freeze them for a month.
Tools You'll Need
9x5-inch loaf pan
Hand or stand mixer
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Cooling rack
Allergy Information
Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
Dairy (butter, buttermilk)
Gluten (all-purpose flour)
Eggs
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.