Irresistibly Soft Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread Recipe
This Irresistibly Soft Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread is a delightful twist on classic donut flavors baked into a moist, tender loaf. Swirled with molasses and cinnamon, then coated with melted butter and cinnamon sugar, this sweet bread offers a comforting treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Canola Oil (can substitute with vegetable or coconut oil)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened; margarine can be used as a dairy-free alternative)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (almond extract can be used for a twist)
- 2 Large Eggs (room temperature; flax eggs can be used for a vegan version)
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk (or mix ½ tsp of vinegar with ½ cup milk as substitute)
- 1/4 cup Molasses (brown sugar can be used as alternative)
- 1/4 cup Melted Unsalted Butter (for coating the bread)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar (or coconut sugar for lower glycemic option)
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (a gluten-free flour blend can be used)
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder (ensure it’s fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (reduce in low-sodium diets if needed)
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (pumpkin pie spice can be used for a seasonal flavor)
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (dark brown sugar can enhance flavor)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (can use a sugar alternative)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Butter, Oil, and Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, oil, and sugar. Mix for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well blended.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Prepare Cinnamon Molasses Mixture: Take a portion of the batter into a separate bowl. Add cinnamon and molasses to this portion and mix well to incorporate the flavors.
- Layer Batter in Pan: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan. Then add half of the cinnamon-molasses batter on top. Repeat layering with the remaining plain batter followed by the rest of the cinnamon mixture.
- Create Marble Effect: Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together, creating a marbled pattern throughout the loaf.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Coat with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar: Once cooled, dip the loaf in melted butter, then roll it in a mixture of light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon to mimic a cinnamon sugar donut coating.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute margarine for butter and use a plant-based milk with vinegar as the buttermilk substitute.
- To make vegan, use flax eggs instead of eggs and ensure vegan alternatives for butter and milk.
- Using coconut sugar instead of regular sugar lowers the glycemic index.
- Fresh baking powder is essential for proper rise.
- Feel free to add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice for a festive seasonal variation.
- Do not overmix batter to keep the bread tender and soft.
- Ensure the bread is completely cooled before coating with butter and cinnamon sugar to avoid melting the topping excessively.
Keywords: cinnamon sugar donut bread, soft donut bread, cinnamon swirl bread, baked donut bread, sweet bread, cinnamon molasses loaf