The Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe is a delightful treat that combines the irresistible flavors of cinnamon, sugar, and buttery bread into one beautifully swirled loaf. This recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a soft, tender bread with just the right amount of sweetness and a glorious cinnamon swirl that makes every bite taste like a warm hug. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh out of the oven or slightly toasted, this bread feels like the perfect cozy indulgence for breakfast, brunch, or a special snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is a breeze for this recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, from the richness of butter and buttermilk contributing to the moist texture, to the cinnamon and molasses delivering that signature warm, sweet flavor and the beautiful swirl effect.
- Canola oil: Adds moisture and keeps the bread tender without overpowering the flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened and melted): Provides a rich buttery taste essential for that classic donut flavor.
- Sugar: Sweetens the bread and caramelizes slightly when baked for a golden crust.
- Brown sugar (packed): Offers a deeper, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the cinnamon swirl.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Help bind ingredients together and add richness and structure to the bread.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a mellow, aromatic sweetness to round out the flavors.
- Flour: The base of the bread, providing structure.
- Baking powder: Ensures the bread rises for a light, fluffy texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavors.
- Buttermilk: Contributes a slight tang and tender crumb, making the bread moist and soft.
- Cinnamon: The star spice delivering warmth and that iconic donut bread flavor.
- Molasses: Adds depth and richness to the cinnamon swirl.
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Mix the Basics
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your oven is ready to bake the bread evenly. Then, in a bowl, mix the canola oil, softened butter, and sugar until everything comes together smoothly—this mixture forms the rich, moist base of the bread.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Stir the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. This step is important because eggs create structure and help the batter hold together perfectly while baking.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk
Gently add the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, salt—along with the buttermilk to the wet mixture. Stir until your batter comes together smoothly, taking care to scrape the bowl’s sides to incorporate all the flour evenly. Your batter should be lump-free and think just enough to hold its shape.
Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Molasses Swirl
Remove half a cup of your batter and transfer it to a smaller bowl. Add the cinnamon and molasses to this reserved batter and mix thoroughly. This swirling mixture is what makes the Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe so special, infusing it with that deep, sweet cinnamon goodness.
Step 5: Layer the Batters
Spray a loaf pan with baking spray to prevent sticking. Start by scooping half of the plain bread batter into the pan and smoothing it out. Next, spoon half of the cinnamon/molasses batter evenly over it. Repeat with the remaining plain batter and finish by adding the remaining cinnamon/molasses batter on top. Use a butter knife or toothpick to gently swirl the batters together to create that beautiful marble effect.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake your loaf at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully loosening the edges and removing the bread with your hands. This cooling step helps the loaf set perfectly for the next stage.
Step 7: Coat the Bread
While the loaf cools, prepare the coating mixture by combining melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Dip each side of the loaf in the melted butter to soak in flavor, then press it into the sugar and cinnamon mixture to coat generously. Don’t forget to sprinkle some of this sugar-cinnamon mix on top for that irresistible crunch and extra sweetness.
How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe
Garnishes
For a lovely final touch, dust the cooled bread lightly with powdered sugar or a simple drizzle of vanilla glaze. Fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or a handful of blueberries can add a burst of freshness that pairs wonderfully with the sweet cinnamon flavors.
Side Dishes
This bread shines on its own but also pairs beautifully with cozy breakfast sides. Think crisp bacon, creamy scrambled eggs, or a warm cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. A dollop of cream cheese or mascarpone on the side elevates the indulgence even more.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe into delightful French toast by slicing it thick and dipping in an egg custard before frying. Or, cut into cubes and skewer with fruit for a fun breakfast kabob. You can also slice and toast pieces to serve alongside a bowl of cinnamon-spiced oatmeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days, perfect for enjoying over a couple of mornings or as a quick snack.
Freezing
You can freeze this bread to enjoy later by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before placing it in a freezer bag. It will keep well for up to three months without losing its delicious texture and cinnamon flavor.
Reheating
To revive the softness and cinnamon aroma, thaw frozen slices at room temperature and warm them in a toaster or oven at low heat. You can also briefly microwave slices wrapped in a damp paper towel to keep them moist without drying out.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar added to it and let it sit for five minutes to create a buttermilk alternative. This helps keep the texture tender and moist.
What if I don’t have molasses on hand?
If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute it with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup to maintain some of that rich sweetness in the cinnamon swirl.
Is the batter suitable for making muffins?
Absolutely! You can spoon the batter into a muffin tin and swirl the cinnamon mixture in each cup for individual cinnamon swirl donut muffins. Bake them for about 18-22 minutes at 350 degrees.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, try substituting the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly, but the flavors will still be wonderful.
How do I ensure the swirl pattern looks nice?
Gently swirling the two batters with a butter knife or toothpick after layering—without overmixing—creates that striking cinnamon swirl design. A light touch is the key to maintaining separate waves of cinnamon flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a baked treat that feels like a warm, comforting hug, the Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe is your new best friend. It’s simple to make, bursting with cinnamon goodness, and perfect for sharing or savoring yourself. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to comfort foods.
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Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread is a delightful twist on classic quick bread, featuring a rich cinnamon and molasses swirl baked into a soft, buttery loaf. Once baked, the bread is coated with a luscious butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture, giving it a sweet, crispy crust that mimics the flavors of a cinnamon donut. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, this recipe yields 12 slices of moist, flavorful bread with a beautiful marbled swirl inside.
Ingredients
Batter
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon molasses
Swirl
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the canola oil, softened butter, and sugar. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Stir in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Gradually add the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—alternating with the buttermilk. Stir gently so the batter forms without overmixing.
- Scrape Bowl: Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Check Batter Consistency: Make sure there are no lumps remaining, indicating the batter is smooth and ready.
- Prepare Swirl Batter: Remove 1/2 cup of the batter into a small bowl. Add cinnamon and molasses to this and mix thoroughly to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
- Prepare Loaf Pan: Spray a loaf pan with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Batter: Spoon half of the plain batter into the loaf pan and smooth it evenly on the bottom.
- Add Swirl Layer: Spread half of the cinnamon/molasses batter over the plain batter layer.
- Add Remaining Batter: Carefully spoon the remaining plain batter on top of the cinnamon layer.
- Top with Remaining Swirl: Spoon the last of the cinnamon/molasses batter on top of the bread batter layer.
- Swirl Mixture: Using a butter knife or toothpick, swirl the batters together gently to create a marbled effect without mixing completely.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in Pan: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes inside the loaf pan.
- Loosen and Remove Loaf: Gently loosen the edges with a knife, then carefully remove the loaf from the pan using your hands to avoid breaking the bread.
- Prepare Coating: While the loaf cools, pour the melted butter into a large shallow dish. Add the sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, stirring until well combined.
- Dip Loaf in Butter: Dip each side of the loaf into the melted butter to coat it thoroughly.
- Coat with Sugar Mix: Place each butter-coated side of the loaf into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring an even, thick coating.
- Final Touch: Sprinkle any remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of the loaf for extra sweetness and texture.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs ensures smooth batter and better texture.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and soft.
- The swirl effect is best achieved by gentle swirling—too much mixing will blend the flavors rather than swirl them.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, you can substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before dipping in the butter and sugar mixture to avoid melting the coating too much.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reheat slices briefly in the microwave or toaster oven for a fresh-baked taste.
