The most Amazing Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread recipe

This cinnamon sugar donut bread is soft, moist, and coated with a sweet cinnamon crust that tastes just like your favorite cinnamon sugar donuts. Made with warm spices and a buttery base, it captures the comforting flavors of cinnamon in every bite.

Cinnamon Donut Bread

The recipe is simple and eggless, making it perfect for anyone looking for an easy homemade treat with pantry staples. 

Unlike traditional donuts, which require frying, this cinnamon sugar donut bread is baked in a loaf pan. It gives you the same delicious taste with less effort and mess.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 
• ¾ cup (150g) sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60ml) plain yogurt or sour cream
• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or mix ½ cup whole milk with ½ tbsp vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp melted butter

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Ingredient Notes:

1. Softened butter: makes it easier to cream with sugar, helping to create a light and fluffy texture. It also adds richness and moisture to the bread. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt slightly.
2. Sugar: Use caster sugar or powdered sugar making it easier to blend with the butter. Sugar also sweetens the bread and contributes to moisture and a golden crust. You can substitute with brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor and added moisture—great if you want a slightly richer taste.
3. Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a substitute by mixing ½ cup milk with ½ tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice and letting it sit for 5 minutes. Or, simply use regular milk in a pinch—just note the texture may be slightly different, but still delicious!

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat & Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
• Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving some extra hanging over the sides. This makes it easier to lift the bread out once it’s baked.

Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl or medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar (image 1) until light and fluffy (image 2). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.

Add a teaspoon vanilla extract and yogurt/sour cream, and beat until smooth.

Now add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately — starting and ending with dry ingredients (images 3 and 4). Mix gently after each addition.

Towards the end, switch to a spatula and fold the batter until everything is just combined. Do not overmix.

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top (image 5).
• Bake in the preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 50-60 minutes total time, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

• In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon.
• Brush the warm bread with melted butter.
• Place the bread in a large shallow dish before sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar mixture for easy coating.

Storage Instructions 

• Room Temperature: Store the cooled bread in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep it in a cool, dry place.
• Refrigerator: Store the bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Before serving, let it come to room temperature or warm it slightly for better texture and flavor.
• Freezer: Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Best Tips

1. Use room temperature ingredients – Ingredients like butter or curd blend better at room temperature and give a smoother batter.
2. Don’t overmix the batter – Mix just until combined, and switch to a spatula toward the end to keep the bread soft.
3. Grease your loaf pan well – This helps the bread release easily and keeps the cinnamon sugar crust intact.
4. Check for doneness – Start checking at 45 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
5. Coat while warm – Brush the melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar while the bread is still warm so it sticks well.
6. Let it cool completely before slicing – This helps the crumb set and prevents it from breaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Recipes

1. Eggless Cinnamon Rolls
2. Twisted Doughnuts
3. Finger Doughnuts

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