Introduction
Oh, friends, do you ever get those sudden cravings for something sweet, something comforting, something that just screams “hug in a mug”? For me, it’s those classic cinnamon sugar donuts. They bring back so many happy memories, and I’ve always wished there was an easier way to get that delicious flavor without all the fuss of frying. Well, guess what? I found it! This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread is an absolute game-changer. It’s ridiculously simple, comes together in a flash, and tastes exactly like your favorite cozy donut shop treat, but in a perfect loaf form. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most amazing aroma!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can whip this up in under 15 minutes of active time.
- Easy: No fancy techniques needed! If you can stir, you can make this bread.
- Giftable: Wrap it up in a pretty ribbon, and you’ve got a thoughtful, homemade gift that everyone will adore.
- Crowd-pleasing: From kids to grandparents, everyone goes wild for this. It’s the perfect addition to brunches, potlucks, or just a cozy afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun, right? And for this donut bread, they’re all pantry staples!
- 2 large eggs: These are the binders, keeping everything together beautifully.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our delicious bread.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: Our little leavening magic to make it nice and fluffy.
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon: This is where all that wonderful donut flavor comes from!
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: We need some for the batter and some for that irresistible topping!
- 1 teaspoon salt: It might seem odd, but salt actually enhances all the sweet flavors.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A little splash of pure vanilla goodness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: Make sure it’s melted and slightly cooled, so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.
- 1 cup milk: Whole milk gives the best texture, but any kind will work.
- For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A little extra melted butter for brushing
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get baking! You’re going to love how straightforward this is.
- Preheat and Prep: First things first, get your oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan. Give it a good grease and flour, or line it with parchment paper for even easier cleanup.
- Dry Ingredients Together: In a nice big bowl (the bigger, the better for mixing!), whisk together your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, granulated sugar, and salt. Give it a good stir until everything is nicely combined.
- Wet Ingredients Unite: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, beat your eggs. Then, add in the milk, melted (and slightly cooled!) butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and well-combined.
- Combine with Care: Now for the magic! Pour all those lovely wet ingredients into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Mix them together just until everything is combined. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as you don’t see any dry flour. A few little lumps are totally fine – we don’t want to overmix, or our bread might get tough!
- Into the Pan: Pour that glorious batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
- Bake Until Golden: Pop that pan into your preheated oven. Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Down Time: Once it’s baked to perfection, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This is important so it doesn’t break apart. Then, carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience, my friends!
- Donut Topping Time! Once your loaf is totally cool, it’s time for the best part: the donut topping! In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Now, grab some melted butter (you might need to melt a tablespoon or two more). Brush the top of your cooled loaf generously with the melted butter, then sprinkle that irresistible cinnamon-sugar mixture all over. Go wild with it – the more, the merrier!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is pretty forgiving, and you can totally play around with it! Here are some ideas:
- Nutty Crunch: For a little texture, try adding 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter along with the dry ingredients.
- Spice it Up: If you’re a big cinnamon lover, feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the batter for an extra layer of warmth.
- Citrus Zest: A tablespoon of orange or lemon zest stirred into the wet ingredients can add a lovely brightness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
- Glazed Goodbye: Prefer a glaze? Whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or lemon juice until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled bread.
Tips for Success
Even the simplest recipes benefit from a few insider tips. Here’s how to make your donut bread absolutely perfect:
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: This is the number one rule for tender quick breads. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. A few lumps are better than a tough loaf!
- Melted Butter Temperature: Make sure your melted butter has cooled slightly before adding it to the eggs. Hot butter can cook the eggs and make your batter lumpy.
- Oven Variations: Ovens can be a bit finicky! Keep an eye on your bread towards the end of the baking time. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
- Prep Ahead: You can whisk together all the dry ingredients for the bread and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Then, just add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to bake!
How to Store It
This delicious bread is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores beautifully for a few days. Once completely cooled, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature. It should stay lovely and moist for about 3-4 days.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I make mini loaves or muffins with this recipe?
A: Absolutely! You can bake this batter in mini loaf pans or as muffins. Baking time will be shorter, so start checking around 20-25 minutes for muffins and 30-35 minutes for mini loaves.
Q: My topping is a bit dry. What did I do wrong?
A: Make sure you brush the bread with enough melted butter before adding the cinnamon sugar. The butter acts like glue to help it stick. If it still seems dry, you can gently press the topping on with your fingers.
Q: Can I freeze this Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread?
A: Yes! You can freeze the cooled, unfrosted loaf. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add the topping once it’s completely thawed.
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread
Equipment
- 9x5 inch loaf pan Greased and floured, or lined with parchment paper
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Wooden skewer or toothpick For testing doneness
- Wire rack
- Small bowl For topping
Ingredients
Bread Batter
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar for batter and topping
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup milk whole milk recommended
Donut Topping
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, granulated sugar (for batter), and salt.2 large eggs
- In a separate medium bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, melted (and slightly cooled) butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.2 large eggs
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.2 large eggs
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.2 large eggs
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping. Brush the cooled loaf generously with melted butter, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.2 large eggs