This Cinnamon Donut Bread is a sweet, cinnamon-flavored bread that tastes just like your favorite cinnamon sugar donuts. With its soft and moist texture, it’s the perfect balance of cinnamon and sweetness. Ideal for breakfast, a snack, or a treat, it’s one of the most popular recipes on the site, loved for its ease and delicious results.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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¼ cup canola oil
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¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup white sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp salt
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½ cup buttermilk
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
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½ tsp molasses (or substitute with dark corn syrup, brown sugar, or honey)
Topping:
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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¼ cup white sugar
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¼ cup light brown sugar
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan and set aside.
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Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oil, butter, and sugar. Mix well. Add eggs and vanilla extract and continue mixing until smooth.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
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Prepare Cinnamon Batter: Set aside ½ cup of the batter in a separate bowl. Add cinnamon and molasses to this portion and mix well.
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Layer the Batter: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon batter in dollops over the plain batter. Pour the rest of the plain batter on top, followed by the remaining cinnamon batter.
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Swirl the Batters: Use a butter knife to gently swirl the two batters together.
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Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Prepare the Topping: While the bread is baking, combine the melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
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Coat the Bread: Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Dip the bread into the melted butter mixture, coating each side.
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Serve: Slice the bread and serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrients
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Calories: 381 per serving
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Carbohydrates: 46g
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Protein: 3g
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Fat: 20g
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Saturated Fat: 9g
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Cholesterol: 70mg
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Sodium: 265mg
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Potassium: 111mg
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Sugar: 31g
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Vitamin A: 495IU
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Calcium: 57mg
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Iron: 1.2mg
Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Donut Bread
This cinnamon donut bread brings all the flavors you love about cinnamon sugar donuts into a loaf form. The soft, buttery bread base is spiced with just the right amount of cinnamon, creating a sweet and fragrant flavor that fills the kitchen as it bakes. The subtle molasses (or substitute) in the batter adds depth and richness to the flavor, making each bite incredibly satisfying.
The beauty of this bread lies not just in its flavor, but also in its versatility. It’s perfect for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or even as a dessert. The bread is simple to prepare, with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. It’s one of those recipes that doesn’t take much effort but results in something that feels and tastes like a treat from a bakery.
What makes this cinnamon donut bread even better is its decadent topping. After baking, the bread is dipped in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture, just like the outside of a donut. This adds a crispy, sugary exterior to the soft and tender interior, elevating the bread and making it even more irresistible. It’s the perfect combination of soft and crunchy textures, with a rich cinnamon flavor that everyone will love.
The Ingredients That Make This Bread Special
This cinnamon donut bread uses a handful of ingredients, many of which you might already have in your kitchen. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
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Canola oil and butter: These two ingredients provide the perfect amount of fat to create a moist and tender bread. The combination of oil and butter adds richness and flavor to the batter.
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Sugar: White sugar sweetens the bread and helps balance the spiciness of the cinnamon. It also contributes to the golden, slightly caramelized crust.
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Eggs and vanilla extract: These ingredients provide structure and flavor, making the bread soft and flavorful.
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All-purpose flour and baking powder: These are the foundational dry ingredients that help the bread rise and achieve a light texture.
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Buttermilk: Buttermilk gives the bread a slightly tangy flavor while also helping to tenderize the crumb, contributing to its moistness.
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Cinnamon and molasses: The cinnamon adds the signature spice that makes this bread reminiscent of a cinnamon sugar donut, while the molasses (or substitute) adds a rich, deep sweetness.
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Topping: The melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon form a sugary topping that’s the perfect finishing touch. It creates a deliciously sweet, slightly crunchy crust on the outside of the bread.
How to Make Cinnamon Donut Bread
Making cinnamon donut bread is simple and straightforward, with just a few steps required to create this delicious loaf. Here’s how to prepare it:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a loaf pan to prepare for baking.
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Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the canola oil, butter, and sugar. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until smooth.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until a smooth batter forms.
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Prepare Cinnamon Batter: Set aside ½ cup of the batter in a separate bowl. Add the ground cinnamon and molasses to this portion and mix well.
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Layer the Batters: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon batter in dollops over the plain batter. Pour the remaining plain batter on top, followed by the remaining cinnamon batter.
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Swirl the Batters: Use a butter knife to gently swirl the two batters together, creating a marbled effect.
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Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
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Prepare the Topping: While the bread is baking, combine the melted butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
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Coat the Bread: Once the bread has finished baking, let it cool for about 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Dip the loaf into the melted butter mixture, coating each side with the sugary cinnamon goodness.
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Serve: Slice the bread and serve warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, or simply as a delicious snack throughout the day.
Nutritional Benefits of Cinnamon Donut Bread
Cinnamon donut bread is undeniably a treat, but it also offers some nutritional benefits, especially when compared to more indulgent options. Each slice of this bread contains approximately 381 calories, with 46 grams of carbohydrates, including 31 grams of sugar. The bread also provides 3 grams of protein, which helps to keep you feeling satisfied, and 20 grams of fat, including 9 grams of saturated fat.
Despite being on the richer side, this bread also provides a modest amount of potassium (111 mg) and a small amount of calcium (57 mg), contributing to your daily intake of essential minerals. The molasses and cinnamon used in the recipe also provide additional antioxidants and minerals, making each slice not just tasty, but also a little bit nourishing.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This cinnamon donut bread is versatile and can be served at any time of day. It’s perfect for breakfast, especially when paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It also makes a great snack or dessert when you’re craving something sweet. The bread is easy to make in large batches, so it’s ideal for sharing with friends and family during gatherings or as a sweet gift.
The delicious cinnamon sugar topping makes this bread extra special, turning a simple loaf into something more indulgent. Whether you’re enjoying it by yourself or serving it to guests, this bread is sure to make a lasting impression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cinnamon donut bread is a delightful treat that combines the flavors of your favorite cinnamon sugar donuts with the soft, moist texture of a quick bread. It’s easy to make, with simple ingredients that come together to create a delicious loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat. The cinnamon flavor, paired with the crunchy sugary topping, makes each bite irresistible. Whether you’re enjoying it warm or at room temperature, this cinnamon donut bread is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, making it a must-try recipe for any cinnamon lover.