If you love the warm, sweet flavors of fresh donuts but want a simple, sliceable treat, this Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread is exactly what you need. Imagine soft, fluffy bread infused with cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar glaze or butter—every slice tastes like your favorite bakery-style donut.
This recipe takes classic cinnamon sugar flavors and turns them into a convenient loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea. No deep frying required, just soft, flavorful bread that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread is a versatile treat that combines the best of cinnamon rolls and donuts in a simple, easy-to-make loaf.
Reasons this recipe is a favorite:
- Soft, tender, and fluffy texture
- Sweet cinnamon sugar flavor in every bite
- Easy to slice and serve
- No frying needed—baked to perfection
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or snack
- Can be made ahead and reheated
Whether you’re serving it for a crowd or enjoying it on a cozy morning at home, this bread hits all the comfort-food notes.
What Makes This Donut Bread Special
Unlike traditional donuts that are fried and individually shaped, this donut bread is baked in a loaf pan.
- The cinnamon sugar swirls mimic classic donut flavor.
- The bread stays moist and soft, unlike some quick breads that can be dry.
- You can add a cinnamon sugar topping or glaze for extra sweetness.
It’s essentially a breakfast dessert in loaf form, perfect for slicing and sharing.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
This recipe uses simple pantry staples.
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar)
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional Topping
- Melted butter + additional cinnamon sugar
- Powdered sugar glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tablespoons milk + ½ teaspoon vanilla)
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
Follow these simple steps to create a bakery-style loaf at home.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Melted butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Buttermilk
Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix gently until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft.
Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
In a small bowl, combine:
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Step 6: Layer the Batter and Cinnamon Sugar
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top.
- Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar.
- Finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar.
Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter to create a marbled effect.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool for 10–15 minutes before adding toppings.
Step 8: Add Topping
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar for a classic donut flavor.
- Or drizzle a powdered sugar glaze over the cooled loaf for extra sweetness.
Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
Use Room Temperature Eggs and Butter
This ensures a smooth batter and even baking.
Swirl Gently
Over-swizzling can make the loaf dense. A few gentle swirls create a beautiful cinnamon pattern.
Test for Doneness
Ovens vary. Start checking at 45 minutes and cover with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Optional: Toast the Topping
For extra crunch, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar and broil for 1–2 minutes after baking.
Variations You Can Try
Apple Cinnamon Donut Bread
Add 1 cup diced apples to the batter for a fruity twist.
Pumpkin Spice Donut Bread
Replace ½ cup of the flour with pumpkin puree and add pumpkin pie spice.
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Donut Bread
Fold in ½ cup chocolate chips for a decadent touch.
Maple Glaze
Swap powdered sugar glaze with maple syrup glaze for a rich, fall-inspired flavor.
How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
Room Temperature
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
Refrigerator
Keeps fresh for up to 5 days. Reheat slices for 10–15 seconds in the microwave.
Freezer
Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
What to Serve With Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
This bread pairs perfectly with drinks and breakfast sides:
- Hot coffee or latte
- Tea or chai
- Fresh fruit
- Scrambled eggs or bacon for a sweet-savory breakfast
- Vanilla yogurt or cream cheese for extra indulgence
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Yes, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Texture may be slightly different.
Can I bake it in a muffin tin?
Absolutely! Reduce baking time to 18–22 minutes for muffins.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread combines the flavors of your favorite donut into an easy, sliceable loaf. Soft, sweet, and full of cinnamon sugar goodness, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack.
With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy bakery-style donut flavor at home without deep frying. Serve it warm, drizzle with glaze, and savor every bite!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread (Soft, Sweet & Perfect for Breakfast)
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the cinnamon sugar coating:
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 55g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1½ tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5″ loaf pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ½ tsp cinnamon.
- Make batter: In another bowl, whisk sugar and melted butter. Add eggs one at a time, then sour cream and vanilla. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes.
- Make coating: Mix ½ cup sugar and 1½ tbsp cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Coat loaf: Brush warm loaf all over with melted butter, then roll or press into cinnamon sugar mixture to coat sides and top.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
💡 Pro Tips:
– For extra donut flavor, add ¼ tsp nutmeg to the batter.
– Serve slices toasted with a dab of butter or alongside coffee!
– Store wrapped at room temp up to 3 days—it stays wonderfully moist.
Prep Time & Nutrition (per slice, serves 8):
Servings: 8 | Calories: 220 | Net Carbs: 28g | Fats: 11g | Protein: 4g