Save This tender, bakery-style loaf captures all the warm spices and sweet crunch of classic cinnamon sugar donuts in an easy quick bread format. The moist interior gets its richness from butter, oil, and eggs, while the signature cinnamon-sugar topping creates that irresistible donut shop crust we all love.
Perfectly straightforward to prepare, this American-style bread comes together in just 15 minutes of active time. The batter combines basic pantry staples with fragrant ground cinnamon, then bakes into a beautifully risen loaf. While still warm, we brush the top with melted butter and shower it with a generous coating of cinnamon sugar for that signature finish.
Slice it up for breakfast alongside coffee, enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up with chai tea, or serve slightly warm for the full donut experience. The loaf keeps well for three days when wrapped tightly, though it rarely lasts that long.
The first time I made this bread, my apartment smelled like a walking cinnamon sugar donut for three days. My roommate kept wandering into the kitchen, looking confused about where the bakery aromas were coming from.
I brought this to a Sunday brunch once, and my friend Sarah literally stood over the loaf picking at the cinnamon sugar top until I had to shoo her away with a knife. Now she requests it every time I host anything.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for that tender, cakey crumb you want in a quick bread
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread while helping create that golden crust
- Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to give the loaf its rise and light texture
- Ground cinnamon: The warm spice that makes everything taste like home
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and wakes up all the flavors
- Whole milk: Adds richness and moisture for that tender bite
- Eggs: Provide structure while keeping the bread soft and fluffy
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter brings that classic buttery depth we all love
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread incredibly moist for days
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with that comforting sweetness
- Extra cinnamon sugar topping: The magic dust that transforms ordinary bread into something extraordinary
Instructions
- Preheat your oven:
- Get it to 350°F and prep your loaf pan with butter and flour or parchment paper
- Whisk the dry ingredients:
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl
- Mix the wet ingredients:
- Whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, oil, and vanilla until smooth
- Combine everything:
- Pour wet into dry and fold gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix
- Bake the bread:
- Pour batter into your prepared pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean
- Add the cinnamon sugar topping:
- Let cool 10 minutes, brush with melted butter, then sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over the warm top
Save My dad now texts me every time he wants me to bake this, which is approximately every other weekend. It has somehow become the official family comfort food.
Getting That Bakery Crust
The secret is brushing the butter while the bread is still warm enough to melt it slightly. This creates the perfect adhesive surface for the cinnamon sugar to cling to and form that crackly donut like topping.
Serving Suggestions
This bread is absolutely incredible sliced slightly warm with a pat of butter melting into it. It also pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea for the ultimate afternoon treat.
Make Ahead And Storage
The bread actually tastes better the next day as the cinnamon sugar topping softens slightly into the crust. Store it wrapped tightly at room temperature and it stays perfectly moist for three days.
- Wrap the loaf in plastic wrap as soon as it cools completely
- You can freeze individual slices for quick breakfasts later
- Revive day old bread by warming it in the oven for 10 minutes
Save There is something deeply satisfying about pulling this golden loaf from the oven, watching the cinnamon sugar glisten in the kitchen light. Pure comfort in bread form.
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes this bread taste like donuts?
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The combination of cinnamon throughout the batter plus the generous cinnamon-sugar topping brushed with melted butter creates that classic donut shop flavor and texture. The tender, moist crumb mimics the interior of fried donuts while the crusty topping provides signature crunch.
- → Can I make this without a stand mixer?
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Absolutely. Simply use two bowls and a whisk—the dry ingredients in one, the wet ingredients in another, then gently fold them together. Overmixing develops gluten and makes the bread tough, so stir until just combined for the most tender results.
- → How do I know when it's fully baked?
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Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf after 45 minutes. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it's done. The top should be golden and firm to the touch, and the edges will start pulling away from the pan slightly.
- → Why brush with butter before adding the topping?
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The melted butter acts as glue, helping the cinnamon sugar adhere to the warm surface while adding extra richness. This step also creates a slightly crispy, caramelized crust that mimics the exterior of freshly glazed donuts.
- → Can I freeze this bread?
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Yes, wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature still wrapped to prevent condensation. For best results, add the cinnamon-sugar topping after thawing and warming briefly in the oven.
- → What's the best way to store leftovers?
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cinnamon-sugar topping may soften slightly over time but the flavor remains delicious. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry out the crumb.
