Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe

Today I am thrilled to present my Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe. I combine staple ingredients like all purpose flour, buttermilk, and eggs with a luscious cinnamon swirl crafted from melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. This unique twist on a classic treat truly offers a delightfully fresh twist.

I recently tried a new twist on morning baked goods that reminded me of those tempting bakery sweet breads I used to get as a kid. This Cinnamon Donut Bread has been my go-to breakfast treat lately.

I whisked together 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and a few other dry ingredients then blended 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 2 perfectly beaten eggs. Mixing in 3/4 cup buttermilk along with a teaspoon of vanilla extract really made the batter shine.

In a separate bowl I mixed a tantalizing cinnamon swirl using melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. I could almost resist slathering the glazed topping, made of powdered sugar, milk and a bit more vanilla extract if I wasn’t so excited about the doughnut cake feel.

It turned out like an easy, delicious treat that hits all the right notes and is fun to make.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for so many reasons. First, the swirl of cinnamon and brown sugar gives it an awesome mix of sweet and spicy that makes every bite exciting. Second, the texture is super moist and reminds me of those homemade treats my mom used to make when I was a kid. Third, it’s super easy to whip up even when I’m in a rush, and the fact that it comes together with basic ingredients makes me feel like I can totally nail it every time. And finally, the glaze on top adds that extra bit of sugary goodness that makes the whole thing feel like a special treat, not just your everyday bread.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour provides carbohydrates and structure; it is the backbone of the bread.
• Unsalted butter adds rich flavor and moisture; it makes the texture light and tender.
• Eggs contribute protein and help bind the ingredients together while boosting flavor.
• Buttermilk gives a tangy taste and keeps the bread moist and soft.
• Brown sugar delivers deep caramel flavors and extra sweetness for that delightful cinnamon swirl.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk with a little vinegar if u dont have it)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup melted butter (for the cinnamon swirl)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (for the cinnamon swirl)
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for the cinnamon swirl)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
• 2 tablespoons milk (for the glaze)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the glaze)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf or bundt pan real well.

2. In a bowl, sift together 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.

3. In a separate large bowl, cream 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) with 1 cup granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy.

4. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time then stir in 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup sour cream until smooth.

5. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined – don’t over mix it!

6. In a small bowl mix 1/3 cup melted butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, and 2 tbsp ground cinnamon to make your cinnamon swirl.

7. Pour half of the batter into your pan then drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon swirl over it. Pour the remaining batter on top and with a knife just swirl the mix lightly to create a pretty pattern.

8. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then move it to a rack to cool completely.

10. For the glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and drizzle it over the cooled bread. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven set to 350°F
2. Loaf or bundt pan (make sure to grease it real well)
3. A few mixing bowls – one for sifting dry ingredients, one large bowl for creaming butter and sugar, and another for mixing the cinnamon swirl
4. A sifter or fine-mesh strainer for the dry ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons for all the ingredients
6. An electric mixer or a whisk for creaming the butter and sugar
7. A spatula for folding in ingredients gently
8. A knife for swirling the cinnamon mix into the batter
9. A toothpick to test if the bread is done
10. A cooling rack for letting the bread cool completely

Enjoy baking!

FAQ

Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have buttermilk, mix 3/4 cup milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• You can swap unsalted butter with an equal amount of margarine if needed.
• If you dont have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt works just fine.
• For the cinnamon swirl, use vegetable oil instead of melted butter in a 1:1 ratio.
• If you want a twist, try using coconut sugar in place of granulated sugar, keeping in mind it might slightly alter the taste.

Pro Tips

1. Try to beat the butter and sugar good enough until it gets super light and fluffy before adding eggs, otherwise you might end up with a denser than you want bread.
2. Be careful not to overmix the wet and dry ingredients together, you dont want your texture ruined. Mix it just until you can’t see any flour.
3. When swirling in the cinnamon mixture, don’t overdo it or the swirl will mix into the batter completely – a gentle, light swirl is best for that neat look.
4. Give the bread enough time to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes and then on a rack so that the glaze sets nicely and doesn’t just slide off.