Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe – Soft & Sweet in 35 Minutes

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cinnamon bread wafting through my kitchen. My Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread combines everything I love about classic cake donuts with the simplicity of quick bread baking. After countless tweaks and experiments, I’ve perfected this recipe that delivers donut shop flavors without the mess of deep frying.

What makes this bread truly special is its irresistibly soft, tender crumb topped with a generous coating of buttery cinnamon sugar. It’s become my go-to recipe when I want to treat my family to something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The best part? You probably have all these simple pantry staples already waiting in your cupboard.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 slices | Difficulty: Easy

This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary. The key lies in the perfect balance of wet and dry ingredients, creating a batter that bakes up fluffy yet sturdy enough to hold that generous cinnamon-sugar coating. Let’s dive into making this delightful treat!

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now let’s get into the heart of making this irresistible bread. I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C) – proper temperature is crucial for achieving that perfect, golden-brown crust. While the oven warms, I grease my 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with butter, ensuring every corner is coated.

In my largest mixing bowl, I whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. This dry mixture forms the foundation of our donut bread. In a separate medium bowl, I combine the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Here’s my secret: I make sure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest batter.

The magic happens when I pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Using a wooden spoon, I gently fold everything together until just combined. The biggest mistake I used to make was overmixing – now I stop as soon as the flour disappears. A few lumps are absolutely fine and ensure a tender crumb.

I pour the batter into my prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. For the signature donut topping, I mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. First, I brush the melted butter over the batter, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. This creates that irresistible crispy-sweet crust we all love about donuts.

Into the oven it goes for 25 minutes. I know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The smell alone tells me when it’s reaching perfection – that warm, sweet cinnamon aroma fills every corner of my home.

Serving Suggestions, Variations, and FAQs

After baking countless loaves, I’ve discovered this bread is most divine when served warm, about 10 minutes after coming out of the oven. The cinnamon-sugar topping is still slightly crisp, and the interior is perfectly tender. I love slicing it thick and serving it alongside my morning coffee – it’s become our weekend tradition.

For an extra indulgent treat, I sometimes spread softened butter on warm slices or drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze (1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2-3 tablespoons milk). During fall, I’ve swapped the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice, creating a seasonal variation my family adores. Adding 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to the batter transforms this into a dessert-worthy creation.

This bread stays fresh in an airtight container for up to three days at room temperature. I’ve also successfully frozen it for up to two months – just wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag. To reheat, I pop frozen slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or toast them lightly for a crispy exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dairy-free? Absolutely! I’ve used almond milk and vegan butter with excellent results. The texture remains wonderfully soft.

Why did my bread turn out dense? This usually happens from overmixing the batter or using old baking powder. Mix just until combined and check your leavener’s expiration date.

Can I double the recipe? Yes! Use two loaf pans or one 9×13-inch pan. For the larger pan, increase baking time to 30-35 minutes.

Is there a way to make mini loaves? Definitely! Divide batter among 3-4 mini loaf pans and reduce baking time to 18-20 minutes.

How do I prevent the topping from burning? If it browns too quickly, tent the bread loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.

This Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread has become my signature recipe for good reason – it delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making every day feel a little more special.

Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread

This Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread delivers all the nostalgic flavor of classic cake donuts with the simplicity of a quick bread—perfectly soft with a crisp cinnamon-sugar topping.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 slices

Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the topping:
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Pour wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Gently fold until just combined—do not overmix.
• Spread batter evenly into prepared loaf pan.
• Mix remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the top of the batter with the remaining 1/4 cup melted butter, then sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the top.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• Cool in pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use almond milk and vegan butter.

Avoid dense bread by not overmixing and using fresh baking powder.

To freeze, wrap slices in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Mini loaves can be made by dividing batter into 3-4 pans and baking for 18–20 minutes.

Tent with foil during the last 10 minutes if topping browns too quickly.

Optional: Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or substitute cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for seasonal variation.

Keyword cinnamon bread, donut bread