Delicious Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Featured in Warm bread with golden crust.

This sweet bread blends soft, moist layers of buttermilk batter with cinnamon-sugar swirls. Melted butter and a sugary coating give it a crunchy, donut-inspired finish. Each bite is sweet, tender, and perfect for sharing or enjoying alone.
alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:37:57 GMT
A delicious loaf of cinnamon sugar bread on a plate. Pin it
A delicious loaf of cinnamon sugar bread on a plate. | tasteofsavor.com

Make your home smell like a local bakery with this mouthwatering cinnamon donut bread. Each soft slice brings back memories of traditional cinnamon sugar donuts but in an easy-to-slice loaf. We've tried this dozens of times to get it just right, giving you an incredibly soft texture with beautiful cinnamon swirls that pack flavor in every mouthful.

The secret weapon - buttermilk - makes the inside wonderfully soft, just like fresh-fried donuts. When it's still warm, you'll swear you're standing in your favorite donut place.

Essential Ingredients

  • Buttermilk: Makes everything soft and adds slight tanginess against the sweet
  • Molasses: Gives the cinnamon swirl deeper, caramel-like flavors
  • Oil and Butter Mix: Keeps everything moist while adding rich taste
  • Quality Cinnamon: Try Vietnamese cinnamon if you can find it for stronger flavor
A tasty baked good featuring a swirled pattern on top, looking absolutely delicious. Pin it
A tasty baked good featuring a swirled pattern on top, looking absolutely delicious. | tasteofsavor.com

Cooking Instructions

Main Mixture:
Run dry stuff through a sifter. Whip fats with sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in flour and buttermilk bits by bits, don't overmix.
Spice Mix:
Put some batter aside. Mix in brown sugar, cinnamon, and molasses just until mixed.
Putting It Together:
Pour in half the plain stuff, drop spoonfuls of cinnamon mix, make swirls. Do the same thing again with what's left.

This idea came from a cold winter day when I wanted donuts but didn't want to leave the house.

Smart Baking

Keep your oven at 350°F the whole time so it cooks evenly and browns nicely all over.

Beautiful Marbling

Don't go crazy with the swirling - less mixing means you'll see those pretty marble patterns better.

Get Ready Early

You can mix the cinnamon-sugar coating beforehand, but wait to put it on until you're ready to eat.

Ways To Enjoy

It's great warm, or use day-old slices to make amazing French toast.

Expert Tricks

  • Take ingredients out of the fridge early
  • Don't use old buttermilk if you want the best taste
  • Let it sit exactly 10 minutes before taking it out of the pan

The wonderful smell of cinnamon and sugar makes regular mornings feel special. This bread brings a cozy feel to weekend breakfasts, especially when you've got family around.

A yummy pastry with a spiral design sits on a wooden serving tray. Pin it
A yummy pastry with a spiral design sits on a wooden serving tray. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why alternate wet and dry ingredients?
Switching between them keeps the batter smooth and prevents it from getting dense.
→ What’s a substitute for buttermilk?
Combine regular milk with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for five minutes before using.
→ How can I tell if it’s baked through?
Stick a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out mostly clean, it’s done.
→ Is this bread freezable?
Yes! Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to three months. Add the coating after thawing.
→ Why wait to coat the bread?
Let it cool for at least 10 minutes so it stays together when buttered and coated.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

A tender homemade loaf with cinnamon-sugar layers and a crunchy topping reminiscent of donuts. Sweet, buttery, and simple to make.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Breads

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 loaf)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Bread Base

01 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1/4 cup canola oil
03 1 1/2 cups plain flour
04 3/4 cup white sugar
05 1/2 cup buttermilk
06 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring
07 1 teaspoon baking powder
08 2 large eggs
09 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Cinnamon Filling

10 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
11 1/2 teaspoon molasses
12 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Coating

13 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
14 1/4 cup white sugar
15 1/4 cup brown sugar
16 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch pan with butter. In a mid-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 02

Cream the butter, sugar, and oil until fluffy (3-4 minutes). Mix in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Alternate between adding the dry mix and buttermilk, ending with the dry mix.

Step 03

Take about 3/4 cup of the batter and transfer it to another bowl. Add in the molasses, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir until blended.

Step 04

Pour half the plain batter into the pan. Add small scoops of the cinnamon mixture and swirl them. Repeat with the remaining batters.

Step 05

Bake the loaf in the oven for 45-50 minutes. Use a toothpick to check—it should come out with a few crumbs. Rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Step 06

Melt butter in one dish. In another, mix both sugars and cinnamon. Coat the bread with melted butter, then roll it in the sugar mixture. Leave it to cool fully before slicing.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x5-inch bread pan
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Cooling rack
  • Dishes for coating process

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk products (butter, buttermilk)
  • Includes eggs
  • Has gluten due to flour

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~