Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread

This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread has everything you love about a classic cinnamon sugar donut in an easy homemade loaf. The inside is soft, buttery, and moist with warm cinnamon and vanilla flavor, while the outside gets coated in a generous layer of sparkling cinnamon sugar.

There’s no yeast, no deep frying, and no complicated shaping required. Simply mix the batter, bake it in a loaf pan, brush the warm bread with melted butter, and cover it with cinnamon sugar. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, holiday mornings, or whenever you’re craving fresh donuts without all the work.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50–60 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: Baking

Ingredients

For the Donut Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some parchment hanging over the sides. This makes it easier to lift the finished bread from the pan.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.

Set the mixture aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for about 2–3 minutes, until light and creamy.

Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.

5. Add the Sour Cream

Add the sour cream and mix on low speed until incorporated.

Don’t worry if the mixture doesn’t look perfectly smooth at this point.

6. Add the Flour and Milk

Add about one-third of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed.

Pour in half of the milk.

Repeat with another third of the dry ingredients, followed by the remaining milk.

Finish with the remaining flour mixture.

Mix only until the batter comes together. Avoid overmixing, which can make quick bread tough or dense.

7. Fill the Loaf Pan

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.

Use a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the top.

8. Bake

Bake at 350°F for 50–60 minutes.

The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

If the top begins browning too quickly before the center is finished, loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil during the final portion of baking.

9. Cool Slightly

Let the bread cool in the pan for approximately 10–15 minutes.

Use the parchment paper to carefully lift the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack.

The bread should still be slightly warm when you add the cinnamon sugar coating.

Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly combined.

Melt the butter in a separate small bowl.

Using a pastry brush, generously brush the warm loaf with melted butter, covering the top and sides.

Sprinkle and gently press the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered loaf until generously coated.

For less mess, place a sheet of parchment paper or a baking sheet underneath the wire rack while coating the bread.

Allow the coating to set for a few minutes before slicing.

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread

Use room-temperature ingredients. Butter, eggs, milk, and sour cream combine more evenly when they’re not refrigerator-cold.

Measure flour correctly. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it with a knife rather than scooping directly from the bag.

Don’t overmix the batter. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of dry flour.

Use sour cream. It adds moisture and richness while helping create a tender, cake-like crumb.

Don’t overbake. Start checking around 50 minutes. Overbaking can dry out the loaf.

Coat the bread while it’s warm. Melted butter absorbs slightly into the warm crust and helps the cinnamon sugar stick.

Be generous with the coating. That buttery cinnamon sugar exterior is what gives this quick bread its classic donut-inspired flavor.

Easy Variations

Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Mix together 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar, then add the remaining batter.

Run a butter knife gently through the batter to create a swirl before baking.

Apple Cinnamon Donut Bread

Fold about 1 cup of finely diced peeled apple into the batter before baking.

Choose a firm baking apple such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

Divide the batter among lined or greased muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

Bake at 350°F for approximately 18–22 minutes.

While still warm, brush the muffins with melted butter and roll or sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar.

Vanilla Glazed Donut Bread

Instead of the cinnamon sugar coating, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a simple glaze.

Drizzle it over the completely cooled loaf.

Pumpkin Spice Donut Bread

Replace the nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice or add a small amount alongside the cinnamon for a warm fall-inspired flavor.

What to Serve With Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread

This sweet loaf is delicious by itself, but it pairs especially well with:

• Hot coffee
• Café au lait
• Cold milk
• Hot chocolate
• Chai tea
• Fresh berries
• Sliced bananas
• Scrambled eggs
• Fresh fruit salad

For brunch, serve thick slices alongside eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread can easily be made a day before serving.

Bake and coat the loaf as directed, then allow it to cool completely.

Store it tightly covered at room temperature.

For the freshest cinnamon sugar texture, you can also bake the loaf ahead and wait to add the melted butter and cinnamon sugar until closer to serving.

Storage

Store Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 5 days, although refrigeration can make quick breads slightly firmer.

Let refrigerated slices return to room temperature or warm them briefly before serving.

Can You Freeze Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread?

Yes.

For the best results, freeze the loaf before adding the cinnamon sugar coating.

Allow the baked bread to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil or place it inside a freezer-safe bag.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for several hours at room temperature.

Once thawed, warm the loaf slightly, brush it with melted butter, and add the fresh cinnamon sugar coating.

Individual slices can also be wrapped and frozen for convenient portions.

How to Reheat

Individual slices can be warmed in the microwave for approximately 10–15 seconds.

Be careful not to overheat them, as quick bread can become dry when microwaved for too long.

If the cinnamon sugar coating has softened during storage, sprinkle a little fresh cinnamon sugar over the warmed slice before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread taste like a donut?

It has the warm cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, butter, and sugar flavors associated with classic cake donuts. The texture is closer to tender quick bread or loaf cake because the recipe is baked rather than fried.

Do I need yeast?

No. This is a quick bread that uses baking powder for leavening, so there’s no yeast, kneading, or rising time.

Why is my donut bread dry?

The most common causes are using too much flour or baking the bread for too long. Measure flour using the spoon-and-level method and begin checking the loaf around 50 minutes.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream?

Yes. Plain full-fat Greek yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream and can be used in the same amount.

Can I use a different size loaf pan?

You can, but baking time will change. A smaller pan produces a taller loaf that may require additional baking time, while a larger pan creates a shallower loaf that may bake faster.

How do I know when the bread is finished baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs rather than wet batter.

Why won’t the cinnamon sugar stick?

The loaf should be brushed generously with melted butter while it’s still slightly warm. Add the cinnamon sugar immediately after brushing so it adheres to the butter.

Can I turn this recipe into muffins?

Yes. Divide the batter among muffin cups and bake at 350°F for approximately 18–22 minutes. Brush the warm muffins with melted butter and coat them in cinnamon sugar.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per slice, based on 10 slices:

• Calories: 360
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 29g
• Sodium: 230mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients, brands, portion sizes, and amount of cinnamon sugar coating used.

Final Thoughts

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread gives you the cozy flavor of a freshly made cinnamon sugar donut without yeast, frying, or complicated preparation. The soft, buttery center and generous cinnamon sugar crust make every slice feel like a special bakery-style treat.

Serve it warm with coffee for breakfast, add it to a weekend brunch spread, or enjoy a slice for dessert. It’s also an easy homemade treat for holidays, potlucks, and gifting—and the simple cinnamon sugar coating makes it especially hard to resist.