Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Craving a donut but want the ease of a quick bread? This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread delivers all the cozy cinnamon sugar flavor of a cake donut, baked into a moist, tender loaf with a marbled cinnamon swirl and crackly sugar top.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the flavor of a donut, no frying needed

• Gorgeous cinnamon swirl throughout the loaf

• Crunchy sugar top just like a cinnamon sugar donut

• Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup buttermilk

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Topping:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

‍ Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

2️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.

3️⃣ Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

4️⃣ Combine Wet & Dry

Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix!

5️⃣ Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until smooth.

6️⃣ Layer and Swirl

Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Drizzle half the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter and swirl gently with a knife.
Add the remaining batter, top with the rest of the swirl mixture, and swirl again to marble.

7️⃣ Top & Bake

Sprinkle the top with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for crunch.
Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8️⃣ Cool & Slice

Let cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!

Storage Tips

• Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days

• Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months

Approximate Nutrition (per slice)

• Calories: 310

• Carbs: 40g

• Fat: 14g

• Sugar: 22g

• Protein: 4g

Baking Tips & Variations

• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture

• Use pumpkin pie spice instead of just cinnamon for a fall twist

• Drizzle with a vanilla glaze once cooled for added sweetness

Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Douaa
• Total Time: 0 hours
• Yield: 10–12 slices

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread has all the cozy flavors of your favorite cinnamon donut in a soft, tender loaf. Packed with buttery cinnamon sugar swirls and finished with a crackly sugar crust, it’s the perfect anytime bake for breakfast, dessert, or snacking with coffee.

---

Ingredients

For the Bread Batter:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup buttermilk

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Topping:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.

Step 3: Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine Batter

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the buttermilk in 2 parts. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter until combined.

Step 6: Layer & Swirl

Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon half the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Use a knife to gently swirl it through.
Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon mixture. Swirl again for a beautiful marbled effect.

Step 7: Top & Bake

Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon granulated sugar evenly on top for a crunchy finish.
Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Cool & Serve

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• Want a glazed finish? Drizzle with a simple vanilla icing once cool.

• Use sour cream instead of buttermilk for a richer texture.

• This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55–60 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American