Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe – Lauren’s Latest

If your sweet tooth is calling for something rich and buttery, then this Cinnamon Donut Bread is exactly what you need to bake up. It’s soft and fluffy, wrapped in a cozy cinnamon-molasses swirl, then dipped in a buttery cinnamon sugar coating that truly makes it taste like a loaf of delicious donuts. The swirl looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off. Plus, as it bakes, your kitchen fills with that warm, comforting scent that you just want to capture and save for a rainy day.

Ingredient Notes + Variations

This recipe is built on simple pantry favorites, but each ingredient plays its part in creating that perfect flavor and texture. Let me share a little rundown on some of the key players.

• Cinnamon-sugar coating – This last touch is what truly transforms the bread into a donut-like treat.
• Buttermilk (or milk + vinegar) – It’s the secret to keeping the loaf tender and adds a gentle tang that balances the sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon + molasses – These two come together to create that beautiful, warm swirl full of cozy spice and a touch of richness.

How to Make Cinnamon Donut Bread

This cinnamon bread looks like something fresh from a bakery shelf, but you’re going to love how easy it is to make at home yourself. For the full rundown on ingredients and exact measurements, just scroll down to the printable recipe card below.

1. Preheat Oven + Prep Loaf Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. Grab a light-colored loaf pan and give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set that aside — we’ll fill it soon!

Step 2: Make the Batter

cream oil, butter + sugar

mix in eggs + vanilla extract

stir in dry ingredients with buttermilk until smooth

Step 3: Create the Cinnamon Swirl

reserve 1/2 cup prepared batter

stir in cinnamon + molasses

combine until smooth

Step 4: Bake

pour half the batter into the pan + spoon half the cinnamon swirl in dollops over the batter

repeat with remaining batters + swirl the two batters together with a butter knife

bake until a toothpick comes out clean with moist crumbs

Step 5: Make the Coating

stir sugar, brown sugar + cinnamon together in a dish

pour melted butter into a large shallow dish

6. Cool

Set your loaf on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes before gently loosening the edges and taking it out of the pan. The bread will be warm and soft but cool enough to handle without burning your fingers.

7. Coat the Bread

while still warm, dip the whole loaf on each side into melted butter to get every inch coated

then roll the loaf in cinnamon sugar and press gently to stick it to the buttery surface

slice it up and serve warm or at room temperature

Tips for Success

• Use a light-colored loaf pan so the bread doesn’t get too dark on the outside.
• When swirling the batters, less is more — just a few gentle twists with a butter knife will give you that pretty swirl without overmixing.
• Give the loaf about 10 minutes to cool before you touch it so it keeps its shape when dipping and coating.
• Press the cinnamon sugar coating firmly into the loaf—it helps it stick to that buttery surface so every bite has that crunchy sugar goodness.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Bread

• Slather a warm slice with butter or cream cheese.
• This bread pairs beautifully with a cozy cup of tea or coffee.
• It’s the perfect cozy companion for crisp fall mornings.
• Toast leftover slices for a sweet breakfast treat.
• Enjoy it on its own as a snack that feels like a little indulgence.

This Cinnamon Donut Bread is the kind of recipe that will have you sneaking back for “just one more slice.” It’s soft, buttery, and coated in that irresistible sugar, giving you the best of both worlds. Plus, leftover slices make fabulous French toast the next morning! The full printable recipe is right down below. Happy baking, friends!

Variations

• Swap molasses for maple syrup if you want a lighter, sweeter twist on this bread.
• Try almond extract instead of vanilla for a subtle nutty flavor.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts right into the cinnamon swirl for a bit of crunch.
• Switch out the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice if you want to add a cozy fall vibe.
• You can turn this into muffins too! Just grease your muffin tin well, fill each cup about two-thirds full, and bake for 13-15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Just a heads up, paper liners aren’t the best here since you need to dip the whole muffin in butter and cinnamon sugar, but dipping the tops only could be a great shortcut if you want to skip washing the pan.