Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe

Introduction

Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread is a delightful twist on traditional quick bread, combining the flavors of cinnamon and sugar with a soft, moist crumb. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, this recipe offers a sweet, swirled treat that tastes like a homemade donut in loaf form.

The image shows four different sliced views of a cinnamon swirl bread loaf placed on a wooden board against a dark background. Each slice reveals a golden-brown crust with a soft, light yellow inner crumb. The inner layers feature a cinnamon sugar swirl pattern in various shapes such as a spiral, an infinity loop, a swirl, and a heart shape, all with a rich brown color contrasted against the soft bread. The top of the bread is lightly dusted with white sugar, adding texture and sparkle. The bread's edges are darker and slightly crispy, while the inside looks moist and tender. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cups buttermilk
  • 0.25 cups canola oil
  • 0.25 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon molasses
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter (for dipping)
  • 0.25 cups granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 0.25 cups brown sugar (for coating)
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the canola oil, softened butter, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix well.
  5. Step 5: Add the dry ingredients in three parts to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined each time.
  6. Step 6: Take ¾ cup of the batter and place it in a separate bowl. Mix in the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and molasses thoroughly to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
  7. Step 7: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan. Drop half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over it in small dollops and use a knife or toothpick to create swirls.
  8. Step 8: Pour the remaining plain batter over the swirled layer. Spoon the remaining cinnamon mixture on top and swirl again gently.
  9. Step 9: Bake the loaf for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
  10. Step 10: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
  11. Step 11: While the bread cools, melt the remaining 0.5 cups of unsalted butter in a shallow dish. In another dish, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon for the coating.
  12. Step 12: Remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack. Gently dip each side into the melted butter, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
  13. Step 13: Allow the coated bread to cool completely before slicing and serving for the best texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

  • Use Greek yogurt as a substitute for buttermilk if you don’t have any on hand; thin it with a little milk to achieve similar consistency.
  • For a richer flavor, try swapping canola oil with melted coconut oil.
  • If you prefer a stronger cinnamon taste, increase the cinnamon in the swirl and coating by 0.25 teaspoons.
  • Serve toasted slices with a drizzle of honey or cream cheese for an extra special treat.

Storage

Store the Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze slices in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 15-20 seconds until soft and fragrant.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a sliced cinnamon swirl cake loaf with six visible slices arranged behind the main slice in front. The cake has two main layers: a moist light yellow sponge with a soft texture, and a cinnamon sugar swirl layer in the center, forming two loops that look like an infinity symbol. The top of the cake is sprinkled with a golden brown cinnamon sugar mixture that gives it a slightly crunchy texture. The loaf sits on a wooden board with a dark background, highlighting the cake’s warm colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread vegan?

You can make a vegan version by substituting the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and replacing the butter with a plant-based alternative. Use a dairy-free milk mixed with 1 teaspoon vinegar as a buttermilk substitute.

How can I tell when the bread is done baking?

Insert a toothpick or a skewer into the center of the loaf. It should come out mostly clean with only a few moist crumbs. If it’s wet with batter, continue baking for a few more minutes and test again.

Print
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Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe


  • Author: Naomi
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Delightfully soft and moist Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread combines a tender vanilla batter with a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl. Baked to golden perfection, this loaf is finished with a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating that mimics the classic donut flavor in a convenient bread form. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, this recipe yields six servings of sweet, aromatic comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Batter:

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cups buttermilk
  • 0.25 cups canola oil
  • 0.25 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Swirl:

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon molasses

Coating:

  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter (for dipping)
  • 0.25 cups granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 0.25 cups brown sugar (for coating)
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly using butter or non-stick spray to ensure easy release of the bread.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to incorporate later into the batter.
  3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend canola oil, softened unsalted butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to maintain batter tenderness.
  6. Prepare Cinnamon Swirl: Remove about ¾ cup of the plain batter and transfer it into a separate bowl. Stir in brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and molasses until fully blended to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
  7. Layer Batter and Swirl: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon dollops of half the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the batter. Using a knife or toothpick, gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter to create marbled effects.
  8. Add Remaining Batter and Swirl: Pour the remaining plain batter over the marbled layer carefully. Spoon the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture on top and swirl again with a knife or toothpick.
  9. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out mostly clean, the bread is ready.
  10. Cool in Pan: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set before removing.
  11. Prepare Coating: While the bread cools, melt the remaining butter in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon for the coating mixture.
  12. Coat the Bread: Carefully remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack. Gently dip each side of the warm bread into the melted butter, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring even coating around the loaf. Allow the coated bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for easier mixing and better texture.
  • Swirling the cinnamon mixture gently maintains the beautiful marbled effect without overmixing.
  • Ensure the bread has cooled completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.
  • The cinnamon-sugar coating can be adjusted in sweetness by varying the ratio of granulated to brown sugar.
  • Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon swirl bread, donut bread, cinnamon bread, breakfast bread, cinnamon sugar loaf, baked sweet bread

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