I used to love stopping at the local bakery for a cinnamon sugar donut. It was my favorite little indulgence. These days I make that same flavor at home in the form of a loaf, so I can enjoy the taste of a donut any morning I like — sometimes more than once.
This Cinnamon Donut Bread captures the texture and sugar-cinnamon topping of a classic cake donut. It’s essentially a quick bread version of that bakery favorite, easy enough for everyday baking.
The recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly. Because it’s a quick bread, there’s no yeast or rising time involved — just mix, bake, and enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked sweet bread filling your kitchen.
It’s a straightforward, flavorful loaf that’s perfect when you want a treat without the wait.
How does this bread rise without yeast?
The rise comes from the baking powder in the batter. This quick bread is designed to mimic the flavor and texture of a cinnamon sugar cake donut rather than replicate yeast-based breads.
No buttermilk? No problem.
Make a quick substitute by stirring ½ teaspoon white vinegar into ½ cup whole milk. Let it sit a few minutes to thicken and it works well in the recipe.
About using sugar substitutes in the topping
Sugar substitutes often require much less volume than granulated or brown sugar, which can alter the topping’s texture and how it adheres to the loaf. For the best result and the familiar crunchy coating, use the sugars listed.
Storage
Store the bread in an airtight container or a resealable bag to keep it fresh. At room temperature it will stay good for up to four days; refrigerated, it keeps for five to six days.
What makes this recipe special?
It replicates the taste of a cinnamon sugar cake donut in loaf form, and because it’s a quick bread with no yeast, you can have it on the table much faster than traditional sweet breads.
Ingredients:
¼ cup oil (canola works well)
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup buttermilk
½ tsp molasses
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Topping:
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
How to make cinnamon sugar donut bread:
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2. Grease or spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Step 3. In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, oil and sugar. Mix until combined.
Step 4. Add the eggs and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Step 5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the wet mixture, mixing slowly as you go.
Step 6. Beat after each addition and scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
Step 7. Break up any lumps and blend until the batter is smooth.
Step 8. Scoop out ½ to ¾ cup of batter into a small bowl.
Step 9. Stir the cinnamon and molasses into that reserved portion until evenly mixed.
Step 10. Spoon half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Step 11. Drop spoonfuls of the molasses-cinnamon batter over that layer.
Step 12. Spread the remaining plain batter over the top, then spoon the remaining molasses mixture and use a knife to swirl it through the loaf for a marbled effect.
Step 13. Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 14. Remove from the oven and let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Gently loosen the sides and transfer the bread to a cooling rack.
Step 15. In a shallow dish, combine the cinnamon, brown sugar and granulated sugar for the topping.
Step 16. Brush or gently dip each side of the warm loaf in the melted butter, then spoon butter over the edges.
Step 17. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over all sides, coating the top thoroughly for that classic donut-like finish.
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Oil I used Canola
- ¼ cup Butter unsalted and softened
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Eggs large, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups Flour All purpose is what I used
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- ½ tsp Molasses
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ cup Butter melted, unsalted
- ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar packed
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
Method
-
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Spray or grease a loaf pan.
3. Combine butter, oil and sugar in a large bowl and mix until combined.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until smooth.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing after each addition.
6. Scrape the bowl, break up any lumps and blend well.
7. Reserve ½ to ¾ cup of batter and stir in cinnamon and molasses.
8. Layer half the plain batter in the pan, add spoonfuls of the molasses batter, then top with remaining plain batter. Swirl with a knife.
9. Bake 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Cool 10 minutes in the pan, loosen the sides and remove the loaf.
11. Combine topping sugars and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
12. Brush or dip the loaf in melted butter, then coat with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Notes
It rises with the help of baking powder. The texture and flavor are intended to resemble a cake donut rather than a yeast bread.
THANKS FOR PINING!
