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.
Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Donut Bread Recipe
This Cinnamon Donut Bread gives you all the cinnamon-sugar comfort of a donut without any frying or fuss. The apple cider adds a subtle sweetness and keeps the crumb incredibly moist, and the Greek yogurt makes it tender. You can have it ready in under an hour, and it's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with coffee.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add applesauce and yogurt: Pour in the applesauce and Greek yogurt, mixing until fully blended and smooth.
- 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.
- Incorporate reduced apple cider: Pour the cooled apple cider into the batter and mix until it's evenly distributed throughout.
- 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.
- Prepare topping: While the bread bakes, combine the white sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- 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.
EQUIPMENT FOR Cinnamon Donut Bread
A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar easy. You'll also need a small saucepan for reducing the cider, measuring cups and spoons, a rubber spatula, and a 9×5 loaf pan. Parchment paper helps with easy removal.
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.
Expert Tips
Don't skip reducing the cider: It concentrates the flavor and makes a big difference in the final taste.
Room-temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and yogurt are at room temperature. This helps everything mix smoothly and creates a better texture.
Don't overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the Cinnamon Donut Bread dense.
Check for doneness: Every oven is different, so start checking around 38 minutes. The top should be golden and spring back when lightly pressed.
FAQ
What is the famous Cinnamon Donut Bread at Dollywood?
Dollywood is known for their cinnamon bread, which is a sweet, cinnamon-swirled loaf served warm. This recipe gives you similar cozy, cinnamon-sugar vibes at home.
Is donut dough the same as cinnamon roll dough?
They're similar but not exactly the same. Donut dough is usually richer and a bit denser, while cinnamon roll dough is softer and fluffier because it's yeasted. This Cinnamon Donut Bread skips the yeast entirely and uses baking powder for a quicker bake.
What are some tips for perfect donut bread?
Use room-temperature ingredients, don't overmix the batter, and make sure to reduce the apple cider for the best flavor. Also, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on while the bread is still hot so it sticks beautifully.
How to make the perfect cinnamon bun?
For cinnamon buns, you'd need a yeasted dough that's rolled out, filled with cinnamon sugar and butter, then sliced and baked. This Cinnamon Donut Bread is much simpler since it's a quick bread with no rolling or rising required.
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
Ingredients
- 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
Directions
- 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.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until evenly incorporated.
- Stir in the applesauce and Greek yogurt until the batter is uniform and glossy.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then gradually add them to the wet mixture, mixing until fully blended.
- Pour the cooled reduced apple cider into the batter and stir until evenly combined.
- Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- 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.
- In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon for the topping.
- Once the bread is out of the oven, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top and let it cool slightly before slicing.
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