If the smell of warm cinnamon fills you with joy, this Cozy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread Recipe is about to become your new favorite bake.
It’s a soft, buttery loaf coated in crackly cinnamon sugar — like your favorite old-fashioned donut turned into a sliceable bread.
Perfect with morning coffee, after-school snacks, or Sunday brunch, this quick bread captures that comforting bakery-fresh flavor without frying a thing.
If you loved our Pumpkin Coffee Cake or Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes That’ll Wow Your Fall Guests, this loaf is another must-try cozy bake.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Bread
- Tastes Like a Donut, Feels Like Cake: Buttery crumb + sugar crunch.
- Simple Ingredients: All pantry staples, no yeast needed.
- Bakes Fast: Ready in under an hour.
- Perfect Anytime: Breakfast, snack, or dessert.
- Stays Soft: Even after a few days (if it lasts that long!).

Ingredients
(Makes 1 standard 9×5-inch loaf)
For the Bread
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
Instructions
1. Prep the Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Set aside.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined — don’t overmix.
4. Bake the Bread
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
5. Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Brush the warm loaf with melted butter.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle (or roll) to coat every side.
- Let cool completely before slicing.
💡 Pro Tip: For an extra bakery-style finish, coat twice — once warm, once fully cooled.

Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese spread.
- Pair with chai latte, espresso, or pumpkin spice coffee.
- Slice into sticks and dip in vanilla glaze for brunch platters.
(For more sweet breakfast ideas, try our Pumpkin Muffins Collide with Pumpkin Swirl Muffins).
Storage & Freezing
| Storage Method | Duration | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temp | 3 days | Keep wrapped in plastic or airtight container. |
| Refrigerator | 5 days | Slice and reheat before serving. |
| Freezer | 2 months | Wrap tightly in foil and store in freezer bag. |
💡 To refresh texture, warm slices in microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Flavor Variations
- Cinnamon Sugar Swirl: Pour half the batter, add a layer of cinnamon sugar, then top with remaining batter.
- Apple Donut Bread: Add ½ cup grated apple to the batter.
- Maple Twist: Mix 1 Tbsp maple syrup into the butter coating.
- Chocolate Chip Donut Bread: Fold in ½ cup mini chocolate chips.

FAQs (PAA Section)
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes! Substitute half of the flour with whole wheat for a denser, nutty texture. Using 100% whole wheat will make the loaf slightly heavier but still delicious.
How do I store the bread to keep it fresh?
Wrap tightly in plastic or place in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze (see chart above).
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Replace butter with coconut oil, buttermilk with plant milk + 1 tsp vinegar, and egg with a flax egg (1 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 Tbsp water).
(Source: King Arthur Baking – Quick Bread Basics)
Nutrition (per slice, 1 of 10)
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 9 g
- Carbs: 30 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Sugar: 17 g
Expert Tips for Perfect Donut Bread
- Don’t overmix. Overmixing toughens the crumb.
- Check early. Oven times vary; start testing at 45 minutes.
- Brush while warm. Butter helps sugar stick evenly.
- Use real buttermilk. It keeps the loaf tender and flavorful.
- Add parchment sling. Makes removal easy and clean.
Conclusion
This Cozy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread Recipe brings the taste of your favorite cinnamon donut into a sliceable, homemade loaf.
It’s easy to make, smells heavenly while baking, and disappears fast once sliced. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or gifting, it’s pure comfort in every bite.
From inasrecipes.com, where every recipe makes your home smell like a bakery. 🍞✨
Print
Cozy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (9×5-inch) 1x
Description
Soft, buttery donut bread coated in sweet cinnamon sugar — this easy loaf tastes just like your favorite old-fashioned donut but baked into a sliceable treat!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- 2 Tbsp melted butter (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined — do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Brush the warm loaf with melted butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle or roll to coat all sides. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the batter. This bread stays soft for several days — store at room temperature or warm slices in the microwave before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg