Easy Cinnamon Donut Bread

This Cinnamon Donut Bread is tender, buttery, and kissed with cinnamon sugar in every bite. The crumb is so soft it almost melts on your tongue, with that gentle sweetness you get from a warm donut fresh from the bakery. I first made this on a chilly Sunday morning when I wanted something cozy but didn't have the energy for frying donuts, and honestly, I think I like this loaf even better.

If you're looking for more easy breakfast ideas, you'll love my Easy Oat Flour Pancakes, Easy Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe from Scratch, and Easy Homemade Biscuits Recipe.

Cinnamon Donut Bread Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this soft, cinnamon-kissed loaf.

See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities

Wet Ingredients:

• Spiced apple cider: Adds warmth and a subtle fruity sweetness that makes the bread taste a little more special. You'll simmer it down to concentrate the flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Brings richness and tenderness to the crumb. Make sure it's at room temperature so it creams smoothly with the sugar.
• Light brown sugar: Sweetens the bread and adds a hint of molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the warm flavors.
• Applesauce: Keeps the bread moist and adds natural sweetness. Use sweetened applesauce if you like it a bit sweeter.
• Vanilla Greek yogurt: Makes the crumb soft and tender, and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.

Spices & Flavorings:

• Nutmeg: Adds warm, cozy spice notes.
• Ground cinnamon: The star of the show. It's in the batter and on top for double the cinnamon goodness.

Dry Ingredients:

• Baking powder: Gives the bread its lift and light texture.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the loaf.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a softer, more tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.

Topping:

• White sugar and ground cinnamon: Mixed together and sprinkled on top while the bread is hot, giving you that classic donut finish.

HOW TO MAKE Cinnamon Donut Bread

Follow these steps for a perfectly tender, cinnamon-spiced loaf.

1. Reduce the apple cider: Heat the apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reduces to about ½ cup, which takes around 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool while you prep the rest.
2. Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper and give it a light spray with baking spray so nothing sticks.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a stand mixer, beat the room-temperature butter and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat again until everything is well combined.
4. Add applesauce and yogurt: Pour in the applesauce and Greek yogurt, mixing until fully blended and smooth.
5. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, beating until the batter is smooth with no streaks of flour.

6. Incorporate reduced apple cider: Pour the cooled apple cider into the batter and mix until it's evenly distributed throughout.

7. Bake the bread: Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 38 to 45 minutes, until the loaf has risen beautifully and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
8. Prepare topping: While the bread bakes, combine the white sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
9. Finish and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and immediately sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar topping evenly over the hot loaf. Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy while it's still warm, or let it cool completely.

Substitutions and Variations

Apple cider: If you don't have spiced apple cider, regular apple juice or unfiltered apple cider works fine. You can also skip reducing it and just use ½ cup straight from the bottle, though the flavor won't be quite as concentrated.

Greek yogurt: Sour cream or plain yogurt are great swaps. They'll keep the Cinnamon Donut Bread just as tender.

Applesauce: You can use mashed banana or even pumpkin puree if that's what you have on hand.

Add mix-ins: Fold in chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Store the Cinnamon Donut Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap it tightly and refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, or pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes until they're soft and warm again.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cinnamon Donut Bread:

Cozy Cinnamon Apple Donut Loaf

Savor a slice of soft, sweet cinnamon loaf with tender apple undertones, perfect for a heartwarming morning or an indulgent afternoon treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American, Baking

Calories: 380

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 ¼ cup spiced apple cider reduced to concentrate flavor
• 1 ¼ sticks unsalted butter softened to room temperature for easy creaming
• 1 cup light brown sugar packed for sweetness
• 3 large eggs room temperature for smooth mixing
• 2 ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract for rich aroma
• ½ cup applesauce sweetened for moist texture
• ⅖ cup vanilla Greek yogurt adds tanginess and creaminess
• 1 ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly grated if possible
• 2 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for warm spice
• 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder for proper rise
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted for lightness
• 2 tablespoon cornstarch helps tenderize the loaf
• ¼ teaspoon salt balances sweetness

Topping:

• 4 tablespoon granulated sugar for crunchy sweet coating
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for classic swirl flavor

Method

 

1. Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and heat over medium, stirring constantly until it reduces by half (about 8–10 minutes), then remove from heat.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until evenly incorporated.
4. Stir in the applesauce and Greek yogurt until the batter is uniform and glossy.
5. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then gradually add them to the wet mixture, mixing until fully blended.
6. Pour the cooled reduced apple cider into the batter and stir until evenly combined.
7. Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the loaf is golden brown.
9. In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon for the topping.
10. Once the bread is out of the oven, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top and let it cool slightly before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 330mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 2gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Warm, fragrant, and spiced just right, this loaf wraps cozy mornings in cinnamon and apple goodness. Perfect for sharing or savoring slowly with a cup of coffee.

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