Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread You’ll Devour Instantly

Have you ever bitten into a warm cinnamon sugar donut and wished you could enjoy that exact cozy, sweet-spiced flavor in a soft, sliceable loaf? That’s exactly what happened to me last winter—standing in my freezing kitchen, craving donuts but not wanting to fuss with frying. So I did what any slightly impatient baker would do: I created this Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread.

This recipe is my happy accident—a buttery, tender loaf packed with those nostalgic cinnamon swirls you love in donuts, but way simpler to make. No yeast, no rolling dough, just one bowl and a loaf pan. The magic happens when molten cinnamon sugar bakes into the batter, creating ribbons of spiced caramel in every slice. It’s my go-to for lazy weekend breakfasts (yes, I eat it straight from the pan) and the only "fancy" treat I can whip up before coffee kicks in.

Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Trust me, once you try this bread, you'll be hooked. Here's why:

• Weekend magic in under an hour: No waiting for dough to rise - just mix, swirl, and bake
• That perfect donut taste without the messy frying (and way less guilt!)
• Melts-in-your-mouth texture from the buttermilk and butter combo
• Ribbons of cinnamon sugar that caramelize into gooey pockets of joy
• Smells like a bakery - your kitchen will have that warm, spiced aroma all day

Seriously, it's impossible to eat just one slice. I may or may not know from experience.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Let's gather everything you'll need to make this magical bread. I always lay out my ingredients first - it makes baking so much smoother (and helps avoid those "oops, I forgot the eggs!" moments). Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Bread

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled - no packing!)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup buttermilk (room temp - I just microwave it for 15 seconds)
• ¼ cup canola oil (or vegetable oil works too)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (that's half a stick - leave it out for 30 mins)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature is key for smooth batter)
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (the real stuff makes a difference)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (I use fine sea salt)

For the Cinnamon Swirl

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark both work)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (fresh is best!)
• ½ teaspoon molasses (the secret for that deep flavor)

For the Topping

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pro tip: Measure everything before you start mixing - it makes the process so much smoother. And don't skip the molasses in the swirl! It's what gives that authentic donut shop depth.

Equipment You’ll Need

Good news - you probably have everything already! Here’s what I grab from my slightly chaotic baking drawer:

• 1 standard 9x5 inch loaf pan (the trusty workhorse)
• 2 mixing bowls (one for dry, one for wet ingredients)
• Whisk and spatula (or just a fork in a pinch)
• Small bowl for the cinnamon swirl
• Knife or toothpick for swirling

That’s it! No fancy gadgets needed - just like Grandma would’ve done it.

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Okay, let's get baking! This cinnamon swirl donut bread comes together in just a few simple steps - I'll walk you through each one so you get perfect results every time.

Preparing the Batter

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) - this gives it time to reach the perfect temperature while you mix everything.
2. Grease your loaf pan really well with butter or baking spray (trust me, you don't want that beautiful bread sticking!).
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside - we'll come back to it.
4. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and oil. Beat them for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for that perfect texture!
5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then stir in the vanilla and buttermilk until smooth.

Creating the Cinnamon Swirl

6. Now for the fun part! In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and molasses for your swirl. The molasses makes it extra rich and sticky - just like a real donut filling!
7. Pour half the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle all of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
8. Carefully spoon the remaining batter over the top - don't worry if it doesn't cover completely.
9. Take a knife or toothpick and swirl gently through the batter in figure-8 motions. Just 3-4 passes - you want pretty ribbons, not muddled brown!

Baking and Finishing

10. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
11. While it bakes, make the topping: melt butter, then stir in both sugars and cinnamon.
12. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes - I know it's hard to wait, but this prevents crumbling!
13. Transfer to a wire rack and drizzle that gorgeous topping all over while still warm. The sugars will melt into the bread...
14. Now comes the hardest part - letting it cool slightly before slicing. But that first warm bite? Pure cinnamon sugar heaven!

Quick tip: If the top browns too fast, just tent it with foil after 30 minutes. And don't skip that molasses - it's what makes the swirl taste like real donut shop depth!

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

After making this bread more times than I can count (purely for "recipe testing," of course), here are my can't-miss secrets:

• The butter must be soft - Leave it out for 30 minutes or microwave for 5 seconds at a time. Too melted? Your swirls will disappear!
• Stop mixing when just combined - Overworked batter makes tough bread. A few flour streaks are fine!
• Room temp ingredients blend better - Cold buttermilk or eggs can make the batter separate.
• Swirl with confidence - Too timid and you won't get ribbons; too aggressive and you'll lose the layers.
• Let it cool before slicing - I know it's tempting, but 15 minutes means clean slices instead of crumbs.

The best trick? Bake it at night - the flavors deepen by morning (if it lasts that long).

Variations for Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists - my family can't decide which version they love more!

• Nutty crunch: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon swirl layer
• Chocolate surprise: Mix in chocolate chips with the dry ingredients for a chocolate-cinnamon combo
• Fruity twist: Layer thin apple slices with the cinnamon sugar for apple pie vibes
• Glazed finish: Skip the butter topping and drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze instead

My personal favorite? The nutty version with extra molasses - pure comfort in every bite!

Serving and Storing Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Oh, that first warm slice straight from the oven is pure bliss - the cinnamon sugar melts into the bread in the most magical way. I always serve it just barely cool enough to handle, with the topping still glistening. For extra indulgence? A scoop of vanilla ice cream turns it into instant dessert heaven!

Leftovers (ha! as if) keep well wrapped at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5. My favorite trick? Slices reheated for 15 seconds in the microwave taste just-baked. You can also freeze the whole loaf - wrap it tightly in plastic, then foil, and it'll stay perfect for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter, then warm slightly before serving. Not that it ever lasts that long in my house!

Nutritional Information

Just a quick heads up - these numbers can vary based on your exact ingredients. This sweet bread is definitely a treat (worth every bite!), with cinnamon and sugar adding to the indulgence. Enjoy in moderation... or not - I won't judge!

FAQs About Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Can I substitute the buttermilk?
Absolutely! No buttermilk? No problem. Mix ½ cup milk with ½ tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. Yogurt thinned with milk works great too - just keep the same measurements. The tang makes the bread extra tender!

Why did my swirl disappear while baking?
This happens if the batter was too thin (overmixed or butter too melted) or if you swirled too vigorously. Next time, gently layer the batter thicker and make just 3-4 light knife passes - those ribbons will stay put!

Can I freeze this bread?
Yes! Wrap cooled loaf tightly in plastic, then foil. It keeps beautifully for 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter - I like to warm slices for 15 seconds to revive that fresh-baked magic. The topping might get absorbed, so I often drizzle a little extra melted butter after thawing.

My bread is browning too fast - help!
Every oven runs different. If the top darkens before the center's done, loosely tent with foil at the 30-minute mark. And remember - a toothpick test never lies! A few moist crumbs are perfect; wet batter means it needs more time.

Can I make muffins instead?
You bet! Fill greased muffin cups ⅔ full, add swirl layer, then remaining batter. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. Mini muffins take just 12-15 minutes - perfect for breakfast on-the-go!

Share Your Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Experience

Did you make this magical bread? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Snap a photo of your swirls (the messier, the better) and tag me - or leave a comment below telling me your favorite part. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen filled with that cinnamon sugar aroma!

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