Name: Cinnamon Donut Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup light brown sugar (divided); 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (divided); 2 large eggs; 1 cup milk or buttermilk; 1/2 cup melted butter or oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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I fell in love with this Cinnamon Donut Bread from Lina’s recipe because it perfectly captures that nostalgic cinnamon‐sugar donut flavor in a moist, marbled loaf. It’s warm, comforting, and satisfying for breakfast or dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe because it blends simplicity with indulgence. I only need pantry staples—flour, sugar, eggs, basic leaveners—and the result is a tender, cinnamon‑swirled bread that tastes like freshly fried donuts without the grease or effort. It’s ideal for mornings when I crave something sweet, but want to skip the frying. Plus, I can slice it and share (or not!).

Ingredients

(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All‑purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Light brown sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Ground cinnamon
Eggs
Milk (or buttermilk)
Melted butter (or oil)
Vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to about 350 °F (175 °C) and grease a loaf pan.
In one bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and most of the cinnamon.
In another bowl, combine sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
Gradually fold the dry mix into the wet until just combined.
Stir up a cinnamon‑sugar swirl: mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Layer half the batter in the pan, sprinkle swirl, add remaining batter, and finish with more swirl.
Bake for 45–55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Servings and timing

This loaf yields around 10–12 slices—perfect for sharing at brunch or enjoying throughout the week. Prep takes about 15 minutes, baking around 50 minutes, and cooling 10 minutes—total ~1 hour 15 minutes.

Variations

Streusel topping: mix butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then sprinkle on top before baking.
Glazed version: drizzle a simple vanilla or maple glaze once the loaf cools.
Nuts or raisins: swirl in chopped pecans or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
Chocolate swirl: replace half the cinnamon swirl with cocoa powder and sugar for a chocolate‑cinnamon twist.

Storage/reheating

I store leftover slices wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, I microwave a slice for about 15 seconds or toast it lightly—it tastes freshly baked that way.

FAQs

1. Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk?

Yes. I often swap in buttermilk for added tang and tenderness without changing the loaf's texture.

2. Can I make this gluten‑free?

I haven’t tried it yet, but from what I’ve read, a 1:1 gluten‑free flour blend should work. The texture might be slightly denser though.

3. Can I freeze this bread?

Absolutely. I wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic and foil, freeze up to 3 months, and thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.

4. How do I ensure the cinnamon swirl stays visible?

I gently dot the swirl mixture instead of mixing it fully into the batter—this creates that lovely marbled effect.

5. Why did my loaf crack on top?

I find that’s totally normal—it means the dough rose well. To minimize cracking, I gently smooth the top before baking, but I still expect some charming rustic cracks.

Conclusion

In every bite of this Cinnamon Donut Bread, I taste warmth, nostalgia, and simplicity. It’s become a go‑to treat in my kitchen—easy to make, flexible in flavor, and irresistibly cozy. When I want something sweet that’s fuss‑free and comforting, this loaf never disappoints.

Cinnamon Donut Bread

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Author: Sue
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 10–12 slices
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Cinnamon Donut Bread combines the nostalgic flavor of cinnamon-sugar donuts with the ease of a quick loaf. Moist, marbled, and perfectly sweet, it’s ideal for breakfast or dessert.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, mix granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined.
In a small bowl, combine remaining ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon to make the swirl mixture.
Pour half the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar swirl, add the remaining batter, and top with the rest of the swirl mixture.
Use a knife to gently swirl the mixture into the batter.
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.