Delightful Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe in 10 Easy Steps

There’s something magical about the smell of cinnamon and sugar baking in the oven, isn’t there? Every time I make this delightful cinnamon donut bread recipe, it takes me straight back to Saturday mornings at my grandma’s house. She’d pull a warm loaf from the oven just as we kids came tumbling into the kitchen – the scent alone was enough to get us out of bed!

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is – just a few basic ingredients you probably already have, and about 10 minutes of prep. But that first slice? Pure comfort. The crust gets that perfect sugary crunch like a donut, while the inside stays soft and fluffy. It’s the kind of treat that makes everyone gather around the kitchen counter, waiting for that first bite.

Why You’ll Love This Delightful Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe

Let me tell you why this recipe has become my go-to for lazy weekends and impromptu brunches alike:

• That irresistible donut flavor – Every bite gives you that perfect cinnamon-sugar crust we all crave, but in soft, pillowy bread form. No frying needed!
• Ready in a flash – From mixing bowl to oven in about 10 minutes flat. Perfect when that cinnamon craving hits suddenly.
• Magical texture – The combination of melted butter and careful mixing creates a loaf that’s dense yet cloud-soft, just like your favorite bakery treat.
• Versatile delight – Equally amazing warm from the oven, toasted the next day, or even frozen for future you (though good luck keeping it around that long!).

Trust me, once you try this delightful cinnamon donut bread, you’ll understand why it disappears so fast in my house!

Ingredients for Delightful Cinnamon Donut Bread

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this cozy, cinnamon-kissed loaf. I’ve learned over the years that the quality of your ingredients makes all the difference here – use the good vanilla and fresh cinnamon, okay?

• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled for accuracy
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar – the sweetness that makes it taste like a donut
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder – make sure it’s fresh!
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt – balances the sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – the star of the show
• Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk – room temperature works best
  • 2 large eggs – also at room temp, they incorporate better
  • 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly – don’t skip the cooling step
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – the real stuff, please

See? Simple pantry staples come together to make something extraordinary. Just wait until you smell this baking – your kitchen will smell like a cinnamon sugar dream!

Essential Equipment

Before we dive into mixing, let’s grab our trusty tools – nothing fancy needed, I promise! Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:

• A 9×5-inch loaf pan – the perfect size for that bakery-style height
• 2 mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients – keeps life simple)
• Whisk and wooden spoon – my dynamic mixing duo
• Wire rack – for cooling without a soggy bottom

That’s it! Now we’re ready to make some cinnamon magic happen.

How to Make Delightful Cinnamon Donut Bread

Alright, let’s get baking! This delightful cinnamon donut bread comes together in three simple steps that even beginner bakers can master. Just follow along – I’ll walk you through every detail to ensure your loaf turns out perfectly fluffy and fragrant.

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and toasty when we’re ready to bake. While it’s heating up, grab your large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Here’s my secret: I like to give the dry ingredients a good whisking for about 30 seconds – just enough to evenly distribute everything without overworking the flour. You’ll know it’s ready when you see those cinnamon flecks evenly dancing through the mixture!

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In your second bowl, let’s create the liquid magic. Crack in those room-temperature eggs (they blend better this way, promise!), then pour in the milk, vanilla, and that glorious melted butter that’s had about 5 minutes to cool (hot butter can scramble the eggs – yikes!). Whisk it all together until it looks like smooth, golden silk. When you lift the whisk, the mixture should ribbon beautifully back into the bowl.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Now for the fun part – marriage of dry and wet! Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently fold with a wooden spoon just until no flour streaks remain. Some small lumps are totally fine – overmixing leads to tough bread, and we want pillowy softness! Pour into your greased loaf pan, smooth the top, and pop it in the oven. Set your timer for 50 minutes, but start checking around 45 – it’s done when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes (patience!), then transfer to a wire rack. Resist cutting for at least 20 minutes… if you can!

Pro Tips for the Best Delightful Cinnamon Donut Bread

After making this recipe more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to take your loaf from great to unbelievable:

• Butter brush magic: Right after pulling the bread from the oven, brush melted butter over the top and immediately sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. It creates that classic donut-shop glaze and adds extra moisture.
• Egg temperature matters: Room-temperature eggs blend into the batter more smoothly, giving you that perfect, even texture. Just set them out 30 minutes before baking – or warm cold eggs in a bowl of lukewarm water for 5 minutes.
• Airtight is right: Store leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container with a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture. It stays fresh for 3 days this way – though mine never lasts that long!

Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll be the cinnamon donut bread hero of your household!

Variations to Try

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can switch it up! Here are some delicious twists I’ve tried over the years:

• Spice it up: Add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or cardamom to the dry ingredients for extra warmth
• Fruit delight: Fold in 1 cup diced apples or pears for juicy pockets of flavor
• Glaze game: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting after cooling
• Nutty goodness: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for delightful crunch

The possibilities are endless – have fun making it your own!

Serving and Storing Delightful Cinnamon Donut Bread

Oh, that first warm slice straight from the oven – pure heaven! I always cut thick pieces while it’s still slightly warm so the cinnamon sugar melts into every bite. If you can wait (I rarely can), letting it cool completely gives you cleaner slices. Either way, it’s divine with a pat of butter melting on top or just as is.

For storage, wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic or pop them in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for about 3 days at room temperature. My secret trick? Freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment paper – just toast them straight from frozen for an instant cinnamon treat anytime the craving hits!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the nutritional breakdown per slice (about 1/12th of the loaf) to help you enjoy every bite guilt-free. Just remember – these are estimates and may vary slightly based on your specific ingredients:

• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g (4.5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Protein: 4g

Values are approximate – nutrition may vary depending on ingredient brands and preparation methods. Enjoy in moderation (or don’t – I won’t judge if you go for seconds!).

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this delightful cinnamon donut bread recipe – here are the ones that pop up most often with my tried-and-true answers:

Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk?
Absolutely! Buttermilk makes an excellent swap – it adds wonderful tenderness. Just use the same 1 cup measurement. The slight tang plays beautifully with the cinnamon. If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

How do I prevent my bread from drying out?
Two key things: First, don’t overbake – start checking at 45 minutes. Second, the melted butter brush right after baking creates a moisture barrier. And here’s my grandma’s trick – store it with a slice of bread tucked into the container! The loaf bread absorbs excess air to keep your cinnamon bread soft.

Can I double this recipe?
You bet! It doubles beautifully – just use two loaf pans side by side. You might need 5-10 extra minutes baking time. This dough also makes amazing muffins – fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes. Perfect for sharing (or not)!

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear how your delightful cinnamon donut bread turns out! Did you add any fun twists? Maybe you’ve got a genius serving idea? Drop a comment below – your tips might just make someone else’s baking day extra special.

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