Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread

This irresistible sweet bread captures all the beloved flavors of a classic cinnamon sugar donut in convenient loaf form. Each slice offers a tender, buttery crumb with warm hints of nutmeg and vanilla, all wrapped in a crackling cinnamon-sugar coating that creates that distinctive donut-like experience. The contrast between the soft interior and the slightly crunchy, sweet exterior makes this bread perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea. While much simpler to prepare than traditional donuts with no frying required, this easy-to-make loaf delivers the same comforting flavors and aroma that fill donut shops but in a format that stays fresh longer and is perfect for slicing.

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Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Chef's Essential Tips

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Proper Mixing Technique:
Using the alternating method of dry and wet ingredients for the ideal tender texture.
Temperature Management:
Ensuring the bread is warm enough when coating but not so hot it becomes soggy.
Complete Coverage:
Achieving an even coating of cinnamon sugar on all surfaces of the loaf.
Perfect Doneness:
Baking just until done for a moist interior without drying out the edges.
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread - secondary view

How to Create the Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread

Proper Mixing Technique
Using the alternating method of dry and wet ingredients for the ideal tender texture.
Temperature Management
Ensuring the bread is warm enough when coating but not so hot it becomes soggy.
Complete Coverage
Achieving an even coating of cinnamon sugar on all surfaces of the loaf.
Perfect Doneness
Baking just until done for a moist interior without drying out the edges.
Baking Tips
For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom to the bread batter.
The key to that donut-like texture is not overmixing the batter - stir just until ingredients are combined.
Make sure to coat the bread while it's still warm so the butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture adheres properly.
For mini loaves, divide batter between three 5.75 x 3 inch loaf pans and reduce baking time to about 25-30 minutes.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
For a richer flavor, brown the butter before using it in the batter.
If you don't have buttermilk, make your own by adding 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to 3/4 cup regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
For a special occasion version, drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze (1 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract).
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread - tertiary view

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread

This irresistible sweet bread captures all the beloved flavors of a classic cinnamon sugar donut in convenient loaf form. Each slice offers a tender, buttery crumb with warm hints of nutmeg and vanilla, all wrapped in a crackling cinnamon-sugar coating that creates that distinctive donut-like experience. The contrast between the soft interior and the slightly crunchy, sweet exterior makes this bread perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea. While much simpler to prepare than traditional donuts with no frying required, this easy-to-make loaf delivers the same comforting flavors and aroma that fill donut shops but in a format that stays fresh longer and is perfect for slicing.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
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Ingredients

Custard Cream
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For the bread:
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2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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1/4 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
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1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk or sour milk (3/4 cup milk + 2 tsp lemon juice)
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For the cinnamon-sugar coating:
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1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
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1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

01
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon until well combined.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and melted butter until smooth and combined.
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Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk (begin and end with the dry ingredients). Stir just until combined - do not overmix.
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Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
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Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
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Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
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While the bread is still warm, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating by mixing the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
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Brush the entire outside of the warm loaf (top, sides, and bottom) with melted butter, then immediately roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat all surfaces.
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Place the coated bread back on the wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.
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Once cool, slice with a serrated knife and serve.