Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Bread

Introduction

It’s just another of those recipes that I feel like I could keep baking forever, and this Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Bread recipe is just one of them. The warm cinnamon sugar fills the kitchen every time I bake it, and it feels like coming home to a nice, cosy bakery. It has the tenderness of a doughnut, the warmth of homemade bread with that wonderful cinnamon swirl running through its middle that makes it irresistible. If you are a lover of donuts but are not in the mood to fry or hover over hot oil, this is your new best friend.

What Is Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Bread?

This recipe tends toward a wet, quick bread or a cake-style doughnut. It’s more of a cake with a fluffy, light crumb. This is cooked, not fried. Each slice has more flavour than a simple surprise with that swirl of cinnamon sugar down the centre, and the buttery glazing on top adds a brilliant finishing touch. This is like a doughnut in the shape of a loaf but with added character.

Why This Recipe Is Special

I have tried countless recipes for cinnamon bread, but this one is my all-time favourite. It bakes really quickly, no fuss, and doesn’t require any yeast or proofing time. It is also that dessert-for-breakfast-in-the-morning comfort food. You can have it with your coffee in the morning, between meals, or even have it as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why I think you’ll fall in love with this bread:

• Packed with flavour: that cinnamon sugar swirl is sweet, spicy, and downright addictive.
• No yeast: no waiting for hours while the dough rises.
• Easy for beginners: if you can stir and pour, you can make this.
• Versatile-For breakfast, brunch, dessert, or gifting.
• Freezes well. Make it in advance and keep it in the freezer in slices to satisfy your cravings.

Tools You’ll Need

Let’s keep it simple. Here are the tools I use and why they matter:

• Loaf Pan (9 × 5 in. / 23 × 13 cm)-The perfect size for a tall, beautiful loaf.
• Mixing bowls-One for the batter and another for the cinnamon-sugar swirl.
• Whisk-Will incorporate air into the batter.
• Rubber spatula-Perfect for scraping the last bit of batter into the pan.
• Measuring cups and spoons (or weighing scale)-There needs to be a great deal of precision here with the swirl.
• Toothpick or skewer-To test for doneness as well as for swirling the cinnamon.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need, listed with both US and metric units:

For the Bread:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk (30 ml)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and Prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line the loaf pan with parchment paper. Makes it super easy to lift the bread out later-no sticking, no frustration.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

Along with the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, whisk together in a large bowl. This will aid in redistributing such things, thus eliminating that lone salty bite later.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. I always crack the eggs into a separate little bowl first, just to avoid any shell surprises.

Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix here—overworking the batter makes the bread tough, and we want it soft and doughnut-like.

Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon. This should look sandy and smell heavenly.

Layer and swirl the batter

Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top it with all the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour the remainder of the batter over it. Take a knife or skewer and gently swirl it through the batter a few times.

bake

Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out mostly clean. A few crumbs are fine, but no wet batter. If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.

Cool and Glaze

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze. Drizzle it generously over the cooled loaf.

Serving Ideas

• Slice and serve warm with butter for breakfast.
• Pair with coffee or chai for an afternoon pick-me-up.
• Dress it up with whipped cream or ice cream for dessert.

Variations & Customizations

• Apple Cinnamon – Add chopped apples to the swirl.
• Nutty Swirl – Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Chocolate Twist – Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to half the batter for a marble effect.
• Mini Loaves – Bake in mini pans for gifts.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, wrapped tightly.
• Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Freeze slices individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Just thaw and warm in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s me sharing my “kitchen secrets” with you:

• Don’t overmix the batter—it’s the #1 reason quick breads turn dense.
• Always use fresh baking soda and baking powder. Old leaveners = flat bread.
• Swirl gently. Too much swirling just mixes the cinnamon sugar into the batter.
• Let the bread cool before glazing, or the glaze will melt into the loaf. (Still delicious, but messy.)

Recipe Details

• Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Nutrition (per slice, based on 10 servings):

• Calories: 285
• Carbs: 42 g
• Fat: 11 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Sugar: 26 g

Final Thoughts

If you’ve needed something comforting, sweetened, and homemade, this Cinnamon Swirl Doughnut Bread is guaranteed to do the trick. It is super easy to whip together on a weekday, yet elegant enough to impress friends or family. Give it a go and make it your own—want to hear from you. Did you put in nuts or even chocolate, or did you leave it plain?