Cinnamon Donut Bread is a delightful twist on two beloved classics: the cozy, sugar-coated donut and the comforting loaf of quick bread. Imagine the warmth of cinnamon, the tender crumb of a homemade loaf, and the sweet crunch of a sugar topping—all in one slice. The best part? You don’t need to deep-fry anything. This recipe delivers that donut-like indulgence with far less effort, making it a perfect treat for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack.
This article is your ultimate guide to Cinnamon Donut Bread, written to be easy to follow for beginners while also giving professional-level tips that seasoned bakers will appreciate. We’ll cover everything: ingredients, methods, equipment, expert tricks, substitutions, storage, reheating, nutritional details, common mistakes, FAQs, and creative variations. By the end, you’ll not only have a fantastic recipe but also the confidence to adapt it in countless ways.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Frying Required – All the flavor of donuts without oil splatters.
- Moist & Tender Crumb – Thanks to buttermilk and the right mixing method.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Topping – A crunchy, fragrant finish that feels indulgent.
- Quick & Simple – One bowl for dry, one for wet, mix, bake, and enjoy.
- Family-Friendly – A recipe that pleases both kids and adults.
- Versatile – Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or gifting during holidays.
🛠️ Kitchen Equipment Needed
One of the advantages of this recipe is that it doesn’t require fancy tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mixing Bowls – One large for dry ingredients, one medium for wet.
- Whisk – For blending the batter without lumps.
- Loaf Pan (9×5 inch) – Standard size works best.
- Cooling Rack – Prevents soggy bottoms while cooling.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons – Precision matters in baking.
- Pastry Brush – For spreading melted butter evenly on the loaf.
Optional: A hand mixer can be used, but whisking by hand works perfectly.
🥄 Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s the ingredient list along with why each item is essential. Understanding this helps you make substitutions confidently.
For the Bread:
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups / 250g) – The base structure of the bread.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup / 200g) – Sweetness plus a tender crumb.
- Baking Powder (1 tsp) & Baking Soda (½ tsp) – Leavening agents that create rise.
- Salt (½ tsp) – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp) – Warm, aromatic spice that defines the bread.
- Ground Nutmeg (½ tsp) – Adds depth and donut-like richness.
- Buttermilk (1 cup / 240ml) – Keeps the loaf moist and tender.
- Vegetable Oil (¼ cup / 60ml) – Ensures softness; better than butter for moisture.
- Eggs (2 large) – Provide structure and richness.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tsp) – Rounds out flavors with a sweet, fragrant note.
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping:
- Granulated Sugar (¼ cup / 50g) – Sweet crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp) – Pairs perfectly with sugar for that donut finish.
- Unsalted Butter, melted (2 tbsp) – Helps topping stick and adds richness.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix—this keeps the loaf soft.
2. Bake
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
3. Add the Topping
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Brush warm loaf with melted butter.
- Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over top.
🕒 Time Required
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 50–60 minutes
- Cooling & Finishing: 10–15 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
🍽️ Expert Tips
- Don’t Overmix: Stir gently until dry streaks disappear. Overmixing creates dense bread.
- Buttermilk Substitute: Use 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Even Topping: Use a pastry brush for butter and sprinkle topping while bread is still warm.
- Check Doneness: Insert toothpick—if crumbs (not batter) cling, it’s ready.
- Slice Cleanly: Let bread cool fully before slicing to avoid crumbling.
🌱 Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan Version: Replace eggs with flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water) and buttermilk with almond milk + vinegar.
- Low-Sugar: Reduce sugar by ¼ cup or use coconut sugar.
- Nutty Addition: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Glazed Version: Skip the topping and drizzle with powdered sugar glaze.
- Spiced Twist: Add cloves, allspice, or cardamom for depth.
- Muffins Instead of Loaf: Divide batter into muffin tins; bake 18–20 minutes.
🥧 Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a pat of butter.
- Pair with coffee, chai, or hot chocolate.
- Toast slices lightly for a crunchy breakfast.
- Make it a dessert: serve with vanilla ice cream.
- Gift wrap mini loaves during holidays.
🧊 Storing & Reheating
- Room Temp: Airtight container, 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Wrap in plastic + foil; freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Microwave 15 seconds or toast lightly for a warm treat.
🧮 Nutrition (Per Slice, Approx.)
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
Values may vary depending on substitutions.
❌ Common Mistakes & Fixes
- Dense Loaf → Overmixed batter.
- Raw Center → Oven too hot or underbaked; test with toothpick.
- Dry Texture → Overbaked; check at 50 minutes.
- Topping Falls Off → Add butter immediately when loaf is warm.
- Collapsed Middle → Opened oven door too early or too much liquid.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I double the recipe?
Yes, bake in two pans. Don’t overcrowd.
Q2: Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use almond or oat milk with vinegar in place of buttermilk.
Q3: Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, reduce by ¼ cup; flavor will be less sweet but still delicious.
Q4: Can I make this in advance?
Yes, bake a day ahead and store in airtight container.
Q5: Can I freeze slices individually?
Yes, wrap slices separately for grab-and-go snacks.
Q6: How to keep topping crunchy?
Apply sugar topping only while bread is warm.
Q7: Can I add fruit?
Yes, fold in chopped apples or blueberries, but reduce liquid slightly.
Q8: Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but use 50% whole wheat + 50% all-purpose for best texture.
Q9: Can kids help make this?
Absolutely! It’s simple and kid-friendly.
Q10: Can I make mini loaves?
Yes, bake in mini loaf pans for 25–30 minutes.
Q11: Is this recipe similar to coffee cake?
Yes, but lighter and with a donut-like sugar finish.
Q12: Can I use brown sugar instead of white?
Yes, it gives a caramel note and makes loaf slightly denser.
📝 Printable Recipe Card
Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Topping: ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp melted butter
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease loaf pan.
- Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients in medium bowl.
- Combine wet + dry until just mixed.
- Pour into loaf pan, bake 50–60 minutes.
- Brush warm loaf with butter; sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
Prep Time: 15 min
Bake Time: 50–60 min
Total: 1 hr 15 min
🎉 Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Donut Bread is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. It brings together the soul-soothing taste of cinnamon, the homey charm of a quick bread, and the nostalgic sweetness of donuts—without the hassle of frying. Whether you enjoy it warm for breakfast, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream, this recipe is one you’ll return to again and again.
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