Indulge in a homemade Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread, featuring key ingredients like all-purpose flour, buttermilk, cinnamon, and a delectable cinnamon-sugar topping. This easy-to-make recipe promises a sweet, tender loaf perfect for any time of the day.
Every bite of this Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread takes me back to my childhood weekends spent at my grandmother’s cozy kitchen. She had a knack for turning simple ingredients into magical memories. Inspired by her love for baking and her signature cinnamon rolls, I created this recipe to recapture the warmth and sweetness of those cherished moments. Now, every swirl of cinnamon and sugar not only fills my home with a delightful aroma but also revives the loving memories of my grandmother’s comforting hugs and laughter.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread
Dive into the delightful world of baking with our Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread! This recipe isn’t just about satisfying your sweet tooth—it’s about creating a masterpiece that’s visually appealing and bursting with flavors. Here are the unique selling points that make this recipe a must-try for any baking enthusiast:
- Simplicity and Speed: Ready in just about an hour and fifteen minutes, this recipe is perfect for those who want a quick yet impressive dessert.
- Texture and Flavor: Combines the softness of freshly baked bread with the irresistible crunch of a cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Versatility: Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or a late-night snack, this cinnamon swirl bread fits perfectly into any meal plan.
- Visual Appeal: The swirls not only add a fun twist to the loaf but also make each slice uniquely beautiful.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable with various additions or substitutions to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients Notes
Before diving into baking this delightful treat, let’s go over some key ingredient notes that will help you make the most out of your Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread:
- All-purpose Flour: The foundation of the bread, providing the necessary structure and softness.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tanginess while contributing to the bread’s moist texture.
- Cinnamon: A critical ingredient, giving the bread its signature spice and warmth.
- Molasses: Though just a touch, it deepens the flavor profile with a hint of smokiness and sweetness.
- Mixing Tips: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can lead to a denser loaf.
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How To Make Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread
Let’s break down the recipe into detailed, easy-to-follow steps to ensure your Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread turns out perfectly every time:
- Preparation: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your loaf pan. This initial step ensures a non-stick surface for your bread.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Setting this aside beforehand makes the mixing process smoother.
- Creaming: In a larger bowl, beat the oil, butter, and sugar until fluffy. This step is crucial as it helps incorporate air into your batter, making it lighter.
- Adding Eggs and Vanilla: Eggs are added one at a time followed by vanilla, ensuring each is fully integrated into the batter, which enriches the texture and flavor.
- Alternating Dry and Wet Ingredients: Begin and end with your dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. This method prevents overmixing and helps maintain a tender crumb.
- Creating the Cinnamon Swirl: Remove part of the batter to mix with brown sugar, cinnamon, and molasses. Layering and swirling this mixture with the plain batter creates the beautiful marbled effect.
- Baking: After layering your batters in the pan, bake for about 45 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Coating: Once baked, dip the loaf in melted butter and then in a cinnamon-sugar mix, which provides a sweet, crunchy exterior to the soft bread.
Storage Options
After enjoying the warm, sweet slices of Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread, storing it properly ensures you can savor it for days to come. The bread can be kept at room temperature for up to four days when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped individually in plastic and then placed in a freezer bag, keeping them fresh for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a just-baked taste!
Variations and Substitutions
Our Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread is delightful as is, but here’s how you can tweak it to fit your pantry or dietary preferences:
- Flour Alternatives: Swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a heartier texture or use a gluten-free blend if you’re avoiding gluten.
- Vegan Options: Use plant-based milk mixed with a little vinegar in place of buttermilk and opt for vegan butter and egg substitutes.
- Sugar Variations: Feeling adventurous? Replace white sugar with coconut sugar for a deeper flavor profile.
- Add-ins: Throw in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips in the cinnamon batter for an extra crunch or a chocolatey twist.
Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread
Ingredients
Bread Base:
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of buttermilk
- 1/4 cup of canola oil
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick of unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of molasses
Topping:
- 1/2 cup 1 stick of unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by lightly greasing it with butter or a non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bread once baked.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside as it will be used later.
- Creaming the Base: In a larger mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the canola oil, 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow with the vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Combining Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix each addition until just combined to avoid overmixing, which could result in a dense bread.
- Creating the Cinnamon Swirl: Remove approximately 3/4 cup of the batter to another bowl and stir in the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and molasses until well combined.
- Layering the Batter: Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon swirl mixture in small dollops over the top. Use a knife or a toothpick to swirl the cinnamon mixture through the plain batter to create a marbled effect.
- Adding Remaining Batter: Add the remaining plain batter over the swirled layer, then top with the remaining cinnamon mixture. Swirl again with a knife or toothpick.
- Baking: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out mostly clean with only a few crumbs attached.
- Cooling and Coating: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1/2 cup of butter in a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, combine the remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Final Coating: Turn the bread out onto a wire rack. Dip each side of the loaf in melted butter, then press into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat thoroughly. Allow the bread to cool completely on the rack before slicing to serve.
