Description
Cinnamon donut bread is a soft, sweet loaf combining the nostalgic flavors of cinnamon sugar donuts with the comfort of homemade bread. Featuring a tender crumb and delightful cinnamon swirl, it makes an irresistible option for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This easy-to-make recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and yields a moist, airy loaf packed with warm cinnamon sugar goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to lukewarm
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Warm the whole milk until lukewarm, then combine it with the active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is activated. Meanwhile, mix the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients and knead the dough until it forms a smooth, elastic, slightly sticky ball.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size, ensuring a soft and airy texture.
- Create the Cinnamon Swirl: Roll the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture over the dough. Starting from one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, keeping the cinnamon sugar inside.
- Shape and Second Rise: Place the dough log into a greased loaf pan, tucking the ends underneath for an even shape. Cover and let it rise for 30-45 minutes until puffed.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before slicing.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast and check its expiration for best results.
- Allow proper resting time during rises to develop a tender crumb and full flavor.
- Avoid adding too much flour; keep the dough slightly sticky for moist bread.
- Spread the cinnamon sugar evenly to ensure delicious swirls in every slice.
- Cool the bread fully before slicing to prevent gumminess and maintain shape.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cinnamon bread, cinnamon swirl, breakfast bread, sweet bread, donut bread
