Craving the flavor of a cinnamon-sugar donut but in a soft, sliceable loaf? This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread is a cozy, sweet treat that combines tender, buttery crumb with a rich cinnamon swirl and a crisp, sugary coating. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack, this loaf is guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.
Cinnamon Donut Bread with Sugary Swirl
8
servings15
minutes45
minutes320
kcalIngredients
- For the Bread:
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + ½ tsp white vinegar)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon molasses
- For the Coating:
½ cup melted butter
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a light-colored 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together oil, butter, and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate with buttermilk, mixing until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of the batter with cinnamon and molasses to create the swirl mixture.
- Assemble the loaf:
– Pour half of the plain batter into the loaf pan.
– Drop spoonfuls of half the cinnamon batter over it.
– Repeat with remaining plain and cinnamon batter.
– Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together. - Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove it.
- While still warm, dip the entire loaf into the melted butter, coating all sides.
- Press the buttery loaf into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the molasses:
it deepens the flavor of the cinnamon swirl and gives it that “donut shop” richness. - Use a light-colored pan:
to prevent overbrowning, especially with the sugar coating. - Storing:
Wrap leftovers tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Best enjoyed within 2–3 days at room temperature.
This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread delivers all the nostalgia of a warm cinnamon donut in a simple loaf form. With a gooey swirl inside and a sugary crunch outside, it’s a treat that’s impossible to resist. Serve it with coffee or a cold glass of milk and watch it disappear!
