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Irresistibly Soft Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread Recipe

4.4 from 84 reviews

This irresistibly soft Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread combines the comforting flavors of cinnamon, molasses, and a tender crumb to create a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Marbled with cinnamon and molasses, then coated with melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture, it mimics the delicious taste of donut flavor in bread form.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Canola Oil (can substitute with vegetable or coconut oil)
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened) (margarine can be used as a dairy-free alternative)
  • 2 Large Eggs (room temperature) (can use flax eggs for vegan version)
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (almond extract can be used for a twist)
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk (or mix ½ tsp of vinegar with ½ cup milk as substitute)
  • 1/4 cup Molasses (brown sugar can be used as alternative)
  • 1/4 cup Melted Unsalted Butter (for coating the bread)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup Sugar (or coconut sugar for lower glycemic option)
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (a gluten-free flour blend can be used)
  • 1 tablespoon Baking Powder (ensure it’s fresh)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (reduce in low-sodium diets if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (pumpkin pie spice can be used for a seasonal flavor)
  • 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (dark brown sugar can enhance flavor)
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (can use a sugar alternative)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, canola oil, and sugar. Cream these together for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and homogenous.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  5. Create Cinnamon Molasses Batter: In a separate bowl, mix a portion of the batter with cinnamon and molasses until evenly incorporated.
  6. Layer the Batter: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan, then layer half of the cinnamon molasses batter over it. Repeat with the remaining batters to create distinct layers.
  7. Swirl the Batter: Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl through the batter layers to create a marbled cinnamon molasses effect.
  8. Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool the Loaf: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Once the loaf is cooled, dip it in the melted butter coating, then roll it in a mixture of light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon to give it the classic cinnamon sugar donut finish.

Notes

  • Substitute canola oil with vegetable or coconut oil for different flavor nuances.
  • For a dairy-free version, replace unsalted butter with margarine and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs.
  • For a gluten-free diet, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
  • To lower glycemic index, use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar.
  • Ensure baking powder is fresh to help the bread rise properly.
  • Adjust salt content according to dietary needs, especially for low-sodium diets.
  • Swirling the batter lightly is key to achieving a beautiful marbled effect without overmixing.
  • Do not skip dipping in melted butter before rolling in cinnamon sugar; it creates the signature donut-like crust and flavor.

Keywords: Cinnamon sugar bread, donut bread, molasses bread, sweet bread recipe, swirl bread, breakfast bread