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A freshly baked cinnamon donut bread, golden brown and glistening

Classic Cinnamon Donut Bread

This recipe creates a delicious, moist bread with a delightful cinnamon swirl and a sweet, buttery cinnamon-sugar coating, mimicking the taste of a classic donut in loaf form.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Loaf pan (9x5 inch)
  • Large bowl
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Knife or skewer
  • Wire rack

Ingredients
  

For the Bread

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Swirl

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Donut Coating

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

Preheat & Prep

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it or lining with parchment paper.

Combine Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together ½ cup granulated sugar and egg until smooth, then gradually add milk and ½ cup melted butter.

Combine Wet and Dry

  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Prepare Cinnamon Swirl

  • In a small bowl, mix together ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the swirl.

Layer the Bread

  • Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle with half of the cinnamon swirl, then top with remaining batter and cinnamon swirl.

Swirl (Optional)

  • For a marbled effect, gently swirl a knife or skewer through the batter a few times.

Bake

  • Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Prepare Donut Coating

  • While the bread bakes, melt ¼ cup butter in one small bowl and mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon in another.

Coat the Bread

  • After baking, let the bread cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove and brush generously with melted butter while still warm. Immediately roll or sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

Cool & Serve

  • Let the Cinnamon Donut Bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, make sure to not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender. You can substitute whole milk with any plant-based milk or low-fat dairy. Ensure the bread is still warm when applying the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating for optimal adherence and flavor. This bread is delicious served warm or at room temperature, and pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.