Cinnamon Donut Bread: The Best Easy Breakfast Recipe

The rain lashed against my kitchen window that Saturday morning, canceling our farmers’ market plans. As my daughter’s disappointed eyes met mine, I remembered the comforting aroma of my culinary school mentor’s famous cinnamon donut bread. “Put on your aprons,” I whispered, pulling out the mixing bowls. What unfolded was pure magic: the crackle of cinnamon sugar hitting buttered batter, the oven’s warm hug filling our home, and that first slice – crisp at the edges, impossibly tender inside – turning a gray day golden. Today, I’m sharing that alchemy with you: the ultimate easy cinnamon donut bread that transforms simple ingredients into breakfast euphoria.

What Exactly is Cinnamon Donut Bread? A Brief History

Imagine the soul-warming comfort of freshly baked cinnamon bread colliding with the irresistible crunch of a sugar-dusted donut. That’s cinnamon donut bread – a beloved American hybrid born from 20th-century home kitchens. While traditional donuts require messy frying, this ingenious loaf captures the same addictive texture through baking, with a signature crackly cinnamon-sugar crust enveloping a buttery, cake-like interior. It’s the nostalgic charm of old-fashioned donut shops served in sliceable simplicity. It’s an act of alchemy I’ve repeated countless times since, and it never fails to delight. Let me share it with you.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

• Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp fine sea salt
• Wet Ingredients: ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter (room temperature), ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs (room temperature), 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, ½ cup (120ml) whole milk (room temperature)
• Cinnamon Sugar Coating: ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar + 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (combined)
• Optional Glaze: 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar + 2-3 tbsp milk + ½ tsp vanilla extract

Chef Nora’s Quality Notes: Use room temperature ingredients for optimal emulsification! European-style butter (higher fat content) yields a richer crumb, and Ceylon cinnamon offers complex floral notes.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

• 9×5 inch Loaf Pan: Metal conducts heat best for that signature crispy crust.
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Creaming butter and sugar properly is crucial for texture.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures effortless release and clean slices.
• Cooling Rack: Prevents the bottom from steaming and becoming soggy.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Perfect Cinnamon Donut Bread

Phase 1: Prep & Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl using a mixer, cream room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk in three additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix only until just combined – do not overmix!

Phase 2: Layering & Baking

6. Spread half the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
7. Carefully spread remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar layer. Smooth the top gently.
8. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and quickly sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar evenly over the top.
9. Return to oven and bake 15-20 more minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (total bake time: 60-65 mins).

Phase 3: Cooling & Finishing

10. Let bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Use parchment overhang to lift bread out. Cool completely on rack (about 1 hour).
11. Optional Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add more milk, ½ tsp at a time, for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cooled bread.
12. Slice and serve! The crackly cinnamon sugar crust is best enjoyed within hours of baking.

Chef Nora’s Insider Techniques

• Texture Mastery: Creaming the butter and sugar for a full 3 minutes incorporates air, mimicking the lightness of a fried donut crumb.
• Flavor Layering: Sprinkling cinnamon sugar *mid-bake* creates a crisp, caramelized top layer without sinking. The double layer inside ensures every bite sings.
• Prep Hack: Measure all ingredients before starting (mise en place). Room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, preventing overmixing – the enemy of tenderness.

Troubleshooting Common Cinnamon Donut Bread Issues

• Dense or Gummy Center? Likely underbaked. Use an oven thermometer to verify temperature. Tap the top – it should spring back lightly. The toothpick test is essential.
• Cinnamon Sugar Sinking? Ensure batter layers are spread evenly to support the sugar. Baking the first 45 minutes sets the structure before adding the final sugar.
• Dry Bread? Overmixing develops gluten. Mix wet and dry ingredients only until *just* combined. Overbaking also causes dryness – start checking at 55 minutes.

Creative Variations to Try

• Apple Cider Twist: Fold 1 cup finely diced apples tossed in 1 tsp flour into the batter. Add ½ tsp apple pie spice to the cinnamon sugar.
• Brown Butter Bliss: Brown the butter before creaming for a deep, nutty dimension. Top with a salted caramel glaze.
• Chocolate Swirl: Replace half the cinnamon sugar with a mixture of ¼ cup cocoa powder + ¼ cup sugar. Swirl gently into batter layers with a knife.

The Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Cinnamon Donut Bread

• Beverages: Strong black coffee, cold milk, chai latte, or hot apple cider.
• Savory Counterpoints (MeatRecipeBox Bonus!): Crispy bacon strips, maple breakfast sausages, or a fluffy herb-scrambled egg frittata.
• Fruit Companions: Fresh berries, sliced peaches, or warm spiced applesauce.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

• Room Temperature: Store unfrosted bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 days. Glazed bread is best enjoyed day-of.
• Refrigerator: Not recommended – refrigeration dries it out.
• Freezing: Slice unglazed bread, wrap slices individually in plastic, then place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• Reheating: Warm slices in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-8 minutes or toast lightly to revive the crisp sugar crust.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cinnamon Donut Bread

• Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk? Absolutely! Substitute buttermilk 1:1 for milk. The slight tang adds complexity and enhances tenderness.
• Can I make this cinnamon donut bread gluten-free? Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill). Results may be slightly denser but still delicious.
• Why did my bread crack down the middle? A crack is normal! It happens as the center rises slightly faster than the edges. It adds character and holds glaze beautifully.
• Can I double the recipe? For best results, bake two separate loaves. Doubling the batter in one pan affects baking time and texture unevenly.
• Is the glaze necessary? Not at all! The bread is incredibly flavorful with just the cinnamon sugar coating. The glaze adds extra sweetness and visual appeal.

Conclusion: Your Culinary Adventure Awaits

There you have it – the secret to transforming your kitchen into a haven of cinnamon-spiced comfort, no deep fryer required. This easy cinnamon donut bread recipe proves that extraordinary mornings start with simple ingredients and a little baking love. The crackle of that sugar crust, the tender crumb, the intoxicating aroma…
👩‍🍳 Let’s keep cooking together!
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