Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread

If you’ve ever craved the comforting, sugary hug of a cinnamon sugar donut but wished for a version you could slice and share, this sweet bread is your dream come true. With all the flavor of your favorite cake donut wrapped up in a moist, buttery loaf, this recipe delivers a rich swirl of cinnamon and molasses, finished with a perfectly golden, sparkly cinnamon-sugar crust. It’s bakery-level delicious—and easy enough to whip up at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes exactly like a cinnamon sugar cake donut.
• No yeast, no rise time—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
• Incredibly moist, buttery, and flavorful.
• Beautiful cinnamon swirl and crackly sugary top.
• A total showstopper for breakfast, dessert, or snacking.

Ingredients

Bread:

• ¼ cup Oil, I used Canola
• ¼ cup Butter, unsalted and softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 Eggs, large, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups Flour, All purpose is what I used
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ cup Buttermilk
• ½ tsp Molasses
• ½ tsp Cinnamon

Topping:

• ½ cup Butter, melted, unsalted
• ¼ cup light Brown Sugar, packed
• ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
• ½ tsp Cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, oil, and sugar. Mix until the texture becomes creamy and smooth.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until the mixture is well combined and fluffy.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Beat well after each addition.
6. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and make sure the batter is completely smooth with no lumps.
7. Transfer ½ to ¾ cup of the batter to a smaller bowl. Add in the cinnamon and molasses, and stir until fully blended.
8. Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
9. Spoon half of the molasses-cinnamon batter over the first layer of plain batter.
10. Add the remaining plain batter on top, followed by the rest of the cinnamon batter.
11. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the batter layers together in the pan to create a marbled effect.
12. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
13. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully loosen the sides with a knife and remove it from the pan onto a wire rack.
14. While the bread is still slightly warm, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
15. Using a pastry brush or spoon, coat all sides of the bread with the melted butter.
16. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over all sides, pressing gently to help it stick.
17. Make sure to fully coat the top of the loaf for that signature sweet donut finish.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Homemade Buttermilk: Mix ½ tsp white vinegar with ½ cup whole milk and let it sit for 5–10 minutes if you’re out of buttermilk.
• For a deeper flavor, double the molasses-cinnamon swirl layer.
• Want muffins instead? This batter works great in a muffin tin—just reduce the baking time to 18–22 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Slice and serve warm with coffee or tea.
• Top with a dollop of whipped cream for dessert.
• Toast slices and butter them for a decadent breakfast treat.

Storage/Reheating

• Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• In the fridge, it lasts 5–6 days.
• Reheat slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to refresh the texture.

FAQs

Can I substitute the sugar in the topping?
A: Sugar substitutes may drastically alter the consistency and coverage of the topping. Best to stick with real sugar for best texture and flavor.

Can I freeze this bread?
A: Yes! Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

My swirl sunk. What went wrong?
A: Be sure to swirl gently without overmixing. Overmixing will cause the batters to blend instead of layer.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread is the sweet snack hybrid you didn’t know you needed. It takes everything you love about classic cinnamon sugar donuts and transforms it into a loaf that’s fluffy, buttery, and loaded with warm spice. It’s nostalgic, it’s cozy, and it’s impossible to resist—slice after slice.

More recipes you’ll love:

Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

Oreo Cinnamon Rolls

Pineapple Coconut Cake

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