Cinnamon Donut Loaf

Featured in Indulgent Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth.

This Amazing Cinnamon Swirl Loaf pairs tender quick bread with the taste of cinnamon-sugar donuts. A rich buttermilk batter is swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar to create beautiful patterns. After baking, the loaf gets a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating, making it crunchy on the outside and moist inside. It’s an easy, sweet treat for donut lovers.
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Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:58:25 GMT
A delicious cinnamon loaf on a plate. Pin it
A delicious cinnamon loaf on a plate. | chefmelt.com

Turn your home into a sweet-smelling bakery with this mouthwatering cinnamon donut bread. Every soft slice brings back memories of those sugar-dusted donuts we all love, but in a simple loaf. We've tried this dozens of times to get it just right - you'll love how soft it is inside with those beautiful cinnamon swirls that make every bite taste amazing.

Buttermilk's the secret weapon here - it makes the bread incredibly soft, just like fresh donuts from a shop. Grab a warm slice and you'll swear you're at your favorite donut place.

Essential Elements

  • Buttermilk: Makes everything tender with a slight tang that cuts through sweetness
  • Molasses: Gives the cinnamon swirl deeper, caramel-like flavors
  • Oil mixed with Butter: Keeps everything moist while adding rich taste
  • Top-quality Cinnamon: Try to find Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor punch
A tasty baked good featuring a spiral pattern on top, ready for eating. Pin it
A tasty baked good featuring a spiral pattern on top, ready for eating. | chefmelt.com

Cooking Steps

Main Mixture:
Run dry stuff through a sifter. Whip fats and sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Switch between adding flour and buttermilk, don't overmix.
Cinnamon Blend:
Take some batter out. Mix in brown sugar, cinnamon, and molasses until barely combined.
Putting It Together:
Put half the plain batter in, drop spoonfuls of cinnamon mix on top, make swirls. Do the layers again.

This all started one cold afternoon when I wanted donuts but didn't want to leave the house.

Smart Baking

Keep your oven steady at 350°F so everything cooks evenly and gets that nice golden color.

Beautiful Marbling

Don't go crazy with the swirling - less mixing means prettier marble patterns.

Do-Ahead Tricks

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

Ways to Enjoy

It's best warm, or you can use leftover slices to make really tasty French toast.

Expert Advice

  • Don't use cold ingredients straight from the fridge
  • Real buttermilk works better than any substitute
  • Let it sit exactly 10 minutes before taking it out of the pan

That wonderful smell of cinnamon and sugar makes ordinary mornings feel special. This bread brings such a cozy feeling to weekend breakfasts, and it's even better when you've got family around.

A yummy baked treat with swirly patterns sits on a wooden serving plate. Pin it
A yummy baked treat with swirly patterns sits on a wooden serving plate. | chefmelt.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why swap wet and dry additions?
It keeps the batter from being overmixed, which helps the loaf stay soft and airy.
→ What’s a buttermilk substitute?
Mix regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes.
→ How do I know it’s baked through?
Stick a toothpick in the middle—if it comes out mostly clean, it’s done.
→ Can I freeze this loaf?
Yes! Wrap it well and freeze for up to three months. Wait to coat it with sugar until thawed.
→ Why cool it before the coating?
Let it sit 10 minutes so it stays firm while you dip it in butter and sugar.

Cinnamon Donut Loaf

Fluffy, soft bread packed with cinnamon sugar layers, topped with a buttery sweet coating like a donut, made at home with ease.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Dessert Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 loaf)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Bread Base

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

→ Cinnamon Swirl

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

→ Topping

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

Instructions

Step 01

Crank up the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease up a 9x5-inch pan with butter. In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 02

Blend canola oil, softened butter, and sugar until it’s fluffy (takes around 3-4 minutes). Drop in eggs one by one, mixing well. Pour in the vanilla, then alternate adding the dry mix and buttermilk until smooth, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

Step 03

Take about 3/4 cup of the batter and shift it to another bowl. Mix in molasses, cinnamon, and brown sugar until smooth.

Step 04

Spoon half the plain batter into the greased pan. Add some cinnamon batter and swirl it gently. Repeat with the rest of both batters.

Step 05

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just crumbs. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes before moving it.

Step 06

Melt butter in one dish. In another, mix brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon. Coat the bread by rolling it in butter, then in the sugar mix. Wait for it to cool fully before slicing.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Cooling rack
  • Small bowls for topping

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (buttermilk, butter)
  • Eggs are used in this
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose 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: ~