Bake this easy cinnamon donut bread recipe with soft texture, sweet flavor, and a cinnamon sugar coating everyone will love.
There’s just something about cinnamon that feels like home, right? It reminds me of lazy Sunday mornings, fairground churros, and those little paper bags of mini donuts you grab at the mall. Now, imagine all that cozy, sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness packed into a soft loaf of bread. That’s what a cinnamon donut bread recipe is all about.
This isn’t just regular bread it’s a sweet, moist, donut-inspired loaf that’s covered in buttery cinnamon sugar. It gives you that “fresh bakery” vibe without having to leave your kitchen. Best part? It’s way easier than you think, even if you’ve never made bread before.
In this post on Make Me Eat, I’ll walk you through everything: an old-fashioned cinnamon donut bread recipe, quick and easy versions, one with yeast, another with buttermilk, and even the trick for making a cinnamon-sugar topping in just 30 seconds. By the end, you’ll know how to make it your own and maybe even impress your friends with, “Yeah, I baked this.”
Why Cinnamon Donut Bread?
Think of this bread as a mix between banana bread and a cinnamon sugar donut. It’s got that dense but soft texture of a pound cake, with the golden, crunchy cinnamon sugar coating on the outside. You slice it thick, toast it up, and suddenly breakfast feels like a bakery treat.
Plus, it’s versatile:
- Eat it plain with coffee.
- Warm it slightly and spread on butter.
- Use it as a sweet base for French toast (game-changer).
- Pack slices for road trips or lunch boxes it travels well.
It’s one of those recipes that just makes life easier and more delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for the best cinnamon donut bread recipe. Don’t worry it’s all basic pantry stuff:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping (the donut effect):
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how you bring this bread to life.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 350°F. Grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Combine
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Mix gently don’t over-stir. You want a smooth but slightly thick batter.
Step 5: Bake
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing by this point.
Step 6: Donut Topping
While the bread is still warm, brush the top with melted butter. Mix cinnamon and sugar together, then sprinkle generously (don’t be shy, this is what gives it that donut magic).
Let it cool before slicing if you can resist.
Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe
If you’re the type who loves recipes the way Grandma used to make them, this version is for you. The “old-fashioned” spin usually means using buttermilk instead of regular milk, plus a little more cinnamon for that cozy, traditional taste.
To make it:
- Stick to the main recipe above but add an extra teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
- Use melted butter instead of oil for richer flavor.
- Serve it warm with butter, just like a southern buttermilk loaf.
It’s a bit denser, more rustic, and feels like a hug in bread form.
Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe Easy
Sometimes you don’t have the time (or patience) for complicated baking. That’s where this easy version shines.
- Skip the buttermilk just use regular milk.
- Mix everything in one bowl instead of two.
- Bake in a muffin tin for faster cooking (about 20 minutes).
This is the kind of bread you whip up on a weeknight when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to fuss around with yeast or waiting.
Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe with Yeast
Now, if you’re a bread lover who enjoys that slightly chewy texture and the satisfaction of a yeast rise, here’s your variation.
Extra ingredients needed:
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
How to adjust:
- Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar. Let it sit until foamy (about 5-10 minutes).
- Mix it into your wet ingredients from the base recipe.
- Add an extra ½ cup flour to handle the softer dough.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour before baking.
The result is a lighter, airier version that’s closer to a sweet bread loaf. Perfect if you want your donut bread to have a “bakery bread” feel.
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread in 30 Seconds
Here’s a trick for when you’re short on time. You don’t need a full loaf sometimes you just want a quick fix.
- Toast a thick slice of plain bread (Texas toast works great).
- Brush it with melted butter.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Boom cinnamon sugar donut bread in 30 seconds. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s the fastest way to scratch that itch.
Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe with Buttermilk
Buttermilk deserves its own spotlight because it really does make a difference. The acidity helps the bread stay tender, moist, and slightly tangy like the best donuts.
If you don’t have buttermilk, just pour 1 cup of milk into a measuring cup, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, and let it sit for 5 minutes. That’s your homemade buttermilk hack.
Donut Bread Recipes – More Variations
Once you’ve nailed the classic recipe, try experimenting with other donut bread recipes. Here are a few ideas:
- Chocolate Cinnamon Donut Bread – Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
- Apple Cinnamon Donut Bread – Fold in 1 cup diced apples for a fall twist.
- Glazed Donut Bread – Skip the cinnamon sugar topping and instead drizzle with a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk).
- Pumpkin Donut Bread – Add 1 cup pumpkin puree and a dash of nutmeg.
These are fun if you want to keep the same base but change the flavor for the season.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix. The more you stir, the tougher the bread will be.
- Always check your bread a little early every oven runs differently.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container. It stays moist for about 3-4 days at room temp.
- Freeze slices for up to 2 months. Just warm them in the toaster when you want a piece.
- For an extra crispy coating, double-dip the topping: butter + cinnamon sugar, repeat.
Serving Ideas
This bread isn’t just for breakfast. Try these ideas:
- French Toast Upgrade: Slice the bread thick, dip in egg mixture, and fry. Cinnamon donut French toast is unreal.
- Ice Cream Sandwich: Slice, toast lightly, then sandwich vanilla ice cream between.
- Holiday Brunch: Serve alongside eggs, fruit, and coffee for a cozy spread.
- Kids’ Snack: Pack it in school lunches it’s like giving them a sweet treat without the mess of actual donuts.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it: the ultimate guide to cinnamon donut bread recipes. From the old-fashioned cinnamon donut bread recipe to the easy version, the yeast variation, the buttermilk version, and even the 30-second cinnamon sugar bread hack, you’ve got plenty of ways to bring this sweet loaf into your kitchen.
This is honestly one of those recipes that makes life a little brighter. It’s simple, comforting, and smells incredible when it’s baking. Next time you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen, this bread will come to your rescue.
And if you can’t get enough cinnamon sugar recipes, don’t miss my TikTok Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.
Here on Make Me Eat, we’re all about making food that feels special without being stressful. And trust me, once you try this, you’ll be baking it again and again.
Mubashir Wahab is the writer behind Make Me Eat, a food blog where he shares simple, home-style recipes that connect food with personal stories. He loves experimenting with flavors and creating recipes that anyone can try in their own kitchen.