Cinnamon Donut Loaf (Printable)
A tender cinnamon-swirled loaf with classic donut flavor, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Loaf Batter
01 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 tsp baking powder
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - ½ cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Sugar Filling
10 - ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
11 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
→ Topping
12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
13 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
14 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x4-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the loaf tough.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon until uniformly mixed. Set aside.
06 - Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling in an even layer across the surface. Pour the remaining batter on top and smooth with a spatula.
07 - Bake on the center rack for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes.
08 - Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, brush the top evenly with melted butter and sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar topping mixture.
09 - Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing into even portions. Serve at room temperature.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- It captures the nostalgia of a warm cinnamon donut without the mess of deep frying.
- The swirled cinnamon sugar layer inside makes every slice look impressive with almost zero effort.
- You probably have every single ingredient in your pantry right now.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter is the fastest way to turn this tender loaf into something rubbery and dense, so stop folding the second the flour disappears.
- The cinnamon sugar swirl can sink if your batter is too thin, so aim for a thick ribbon like consistency.
03 -
- Tap the loaf pan gently on the counter before baking to release trapped air bubbles that can create tunnels in your crumb.
- For the most even cinnamon swirl, drop small spoonfuls of batter around the pan rather than pouring it all in one spot.