Pin it
I've gotta share my ultimate comfort treat! This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread packs all the yummy goodness of fresh donuts into a simple loaf. I whipped this up one lazy weekend morning when I wanted donuts but couldn't be bothered with the whole frying mess. What came out of my oven? A dreamy bread that makes your house smell amazing and tastes just like those sugar-dusted donuts we all crave!
Easy and Tasty
What makes this so great is how straightforward it is. Through my baking journey, I've found that the no-fuss recipes often bring the biggest smiles. You'll only need basic stuff from your cupboard, but they come together into something that'll wow everyone. Even my friends who barely bake have knocked this one out of the park!
Must-Have Items for Great Results
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g) – Scoop flour with a spoon into your measuring cup and scrape off the excess for the right amount.
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups (300 g) – You'll use this for the bread and the sweet coating.
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons – This makes your bread nice and fluffy.
- Kosher salt: ½ teaspoon – This cuts through the sweetness just right.
- Whole milk: 1 ¼ cups (306 g) – Gives your batter that smooth, rich feel.
- Egg: 1 large, at room temperature – Adds moisture and holds everything together.
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons melted for the batter, and ¼ cup for the topping – Makes everything taste buttery good.
- Vanilla extract: 1 tablespoon – Brings out a warm, sweet background taste.
- Granulated sugar (for the topping): ½ cup (100 g) – Creates that donut-like sweet finish.
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon – The star flavor that makes it smell so good.
- Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon – Gives a cozy, warm background note.
Pin it
Quick Steps for Foolproof Bread
- Get your oven hot and ready your tin
- Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Give an 8 ½ x 4 ½-inch loaf pan a good spray with cooking oil so your bread comes out clean.
- Combine the dry stuff
- In a big bowl, throw together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix them up well.
- Blend the wet stuff
- Take another bowl and beat 1 ¼ cups of whole milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract until they're all mixed up.
- Mix everything together
- Pour your wet mix into your dry mix and stir gently just until they come together. Don't go crazy mixing or you'll ruin it. The batter should look pretty loose.
- Get it in the oven
- Pour your mix into your greased pan, smooth it out, and bake it for 60-70 minutes. It's done when you stick a toothpick in and it comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before you take it out.
- Fix up the yummy coating
- While it's cooling down, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Mix ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg in a bowl.
- Add the sweet cinnamon layer
- Brush your warm bread with the melted butter, then shake that cinnamon-sugar mix all over it. Turn the loaf around to get sugar on all sides.
Keeping and Eating Advice
At my place this bread hardly ever sticks around! But when we do have some left, I've learned my trusty sealed container keeps it fresh on the counter. If you want to save it for later, it freezes great if you wrap it up tight. My favorite way to eat it is slightly warm with my morning brew.
Cupcake Alternative
I sometimes turn this into cute little muffins when friends come over for brunch. They cook up in just 20-25 minutes and each one gets that tasty butter and cinnamon sugar on top. Everyone loves having their own little sweet treat!
What Makes This So Popular
After making this countless times for folks, I know exactly why they can't get enough. It's that magic mix of soft bread with that sweet cinnamon coating that hooks you. And don't worry if you're new to baking, this recipe's super forgiving. Just the smell while it bakes will win you over!
Keeping Your Loaf Fresh
The trick to keeping that just-baked flavor is storing it right. I use a special airtight box, but if you want to freeze some, wrap it up really good. There's nothing better than grabbing a slice months down the road and it tastes just as good as when you first made it!
Ways to Enjoy It
I love having this bread lightly warmed up with coffee for breakfast. When I host holiday get-togethers, I put out a nice spread with fresh fruit and whipped cream on the side. Want a killer dessert? Try it toasted with some vanilla ice cream on top, it'll blow your mind!
Small Batch Version
When I'm cooking for a bunch of people, I usually go with muffins instead. They're the perfect size and so fun to eat! Just watch them closely since they bake faster than a whole loaf. The best part is rolling them in that cinnamon sugar while they're still warm, it's so satisfying!
Swap-Out Ideas
I've tried tons of different versions over time. Almond milk works great if you can't do dairy, and you can use applesauce instead of some butter to make it lighter. This recipe doesn't mind if you play around with it a bit, so go ahead and make it your own way!
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What happens if I overmix the batter?
Mixing too much makes the bread chewy because the gluten gets overworked. Just stir until no dry spots remain.
- → How do I tell if it’s baked through?
Stick a toothpick in and see if it comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. The top should also look golden and feel firm.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
Totally! It stays fresh for 3-4 days well-wrapped at room temp. That sugar coating also keeps the top crunchy.
- → Why coat the bread while warm?
The heat melts the butter and sugar slightly so it sticks evenly. Let the loaf cool down completely before slicing.
- → Is freezing this loaf an option?
Yep, it works great! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Wait to add the sugar crust until it's thawed.
Conclusion
This fluffy loaf is like a snickerdoodle in a moist, spiced bread. A crispy cinnamon-sugar coating makes it as yummy as it looks.