If you have a soft spot for comforting baked goods that mingle the warmth of cinnamon with the sweetness of a donut, then the Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. This delightful bread combines the fluffy texture of classic donut dough with a beautiful cinnamon swirl running through each slice, delivering a perfect balance of spice and sweetness in every bite. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this homemade Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your heart with joy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deliciously Soft Texture: The bread is tender and moist, offering the perfect melt-in-your-mouth experience you expect from a great cinnamon treat.
Perfect Cinnamon Swirl: Each slice reveals an even cinnamon swirl, creating a visually stunning and flavorful bite every time.
Simple Ingredients: Made with easy-to-find pantry staples, no complicated or exotic components required.
Great for Any Occasion: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack to satisfy sweet cravings.
Customizable Flavor: Easily adapted with different spices or mix-ins to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread recipe plays a key role in delivering its delightful flavor and texture, from the fluffy dough to the sweet cinnamon filling. Here’s what you’ll need to create this irresistible bread:

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and the perfect base for our soft bread.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough just right without overpowering the cinnamon swirl.
Instant Yeast: Ensures a lovely rise for a light, airy bread texture.
Warm Milk: Activates the yeast and adds moisture to the dough.
Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb to every bite.
Eggs: Bind the dough ingredients and contribute to a soft, fluffy texture.
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice for that classic warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor.
Brown Sugar: Creates a gooey, caramelized swirl that’s simply irresistible.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle sweet aroma that deepens the flavor profile.

Variations for Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread recipe is wonderfully versatile. Whether you want to put a personal twist on it or accommodate dietary needs, these variations make it easy to customize your loaf.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking to make it safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Vegan Version: Use plant-based milk, flax eggs, and vegan butter to keep it dairy- and egg-free.
Spiced Up: Add nutmeg or cloves along with cinnamon for a more complex flavor profile.
Nutty Addition: Toss in chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon swirl for crunch and texture.
Apple Cinnamon Twist: Incorporate finely chopped apples or dried apples into the swirl for fruity sweetness.

Best Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread Recipe to Try

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Warm your milk slightly and combine it with yeast and a pinch of sugar to activate the yeast. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add melted butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, then knead until you form a smooth, elastic dough. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Swirl Filling

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon well. You can add a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor if desired. This simple filling will create that sweet, sticky swirl inside the bread.

Step 3: Roll Out and Layer the Dough

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 4: Shape and Slice

Carefully roll the dough up like a jelly roll, starting from one of the long edges. Pinch the edges to seal the swirl inside. Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into thick pieces if making cinnamon rolls, or keep it whole for donut bread and place it into a prepared loaf pan.

Step 5: Final Rise and Bake

Allow the shaped dough or loaf to rise again until puffy, about 30-45 minutes. Then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your yeast is active for the best rise and fluffy texture.
Don’t Over-Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar: Too much filling can cause the bread to leak and become soggy.
Roll Tightly: A tight roll helps create neat, even swirls inside the bread.
Watch the Oven: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking for doneness a few minutes early to prevent over-baking.
Let It Cool Properly: Cooling the bread fully before slicing helps the swirl set and keeps slices neat.

How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Garnishes

Top slices with a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze made of powdered sugar and milk for an extra touch of sweetness and shine.

Side Dishes

Pair this bread with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh fruit like berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for amazing texture contrasts and indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve in thick slices alongside a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. For a brunch twist, toast slices lightly and serve with cream cheese or butter for a cozy morning treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, where it stays soft and flavorful.

Freezing

You can freeze the bread for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy defrosting of individual pieces; wrap well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn.

Reheating

Warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive freshness. Adding a little butter on top while reheating enhances the flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I make Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread without yeast?

Yeast is essential for the soft and airy texture, but you can try quick bread versions using baking powder, though the texture and flavor will differ.

How long does Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread stay fresh?

Stored properly at room temperature, it stays fresh for about 3 days, while refrigeration can dry it out faster.

Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! The steps are straightforward, and the dough is forgiving, making it perfect for home bakers at any level.

Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the dough?

Yes, brown sugar can add more moisture and a deeper flavor, but it may slightly change the texture to be denser.

What is the best way to get a beautiful cinnamon swirl?

Rolling the dough tightly and spreading the cinnamon sugar evenly ensures a consistent and visually appealing swirl throughout the bread.

Final Thoughts

Ready to fill your kitchen with cozy, cinnamon-spiced goodness? This Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread recipe is not only delicious and comforting but also simple to make with ingredients you likely have on hand. Once you try it, this bread will quickly become a staple baked treat that you’ll want to share with family and friends, perfect for any season or occasion.

Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread

Print Recipe

Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread is a soft, moist baked treat that blends the fluffy texture of classic donut dough with a sweet and spicy cinnamon swirl throughout each slice. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this easy-to-make bread uses simple pantry ingredients and fills your kitchen with warm, irresistible aromas.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 2 hours (including rises)
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 slices) 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 1/4 tsp Instant Yeast (1 packet)
1 cup Warm Milk (about 110°F/43°C)
1/4 cup Butter, melted
2 Large Eggs
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Cinnamon Swirl Filling

1/2 cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
Optional: pinch of Nutmeg

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk slightly and combine it with the yeast and a pinch of sugar to activate the yeast. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms. Place the dough in a warm area and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Make the Cinnamon Swirl Filling: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and optional nutmeg until evenly combined. This mixture will form the sweet cinnamon swirl inside the bread.
Roll Out and Layer the Dough: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar mixture over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Shape and Slice: Carefully roll the dough tightly from one long edge, pinching the edges to seal in the swirl. For donut bread, place the full roll into a prepared loaf pan. If making cinnamon rolls instead, slice into thick pieces.
Final Rise and Bake: Let the shaped loaf or roll rise again until puffy, about 30-45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use fresh, active yeast for the best rise and soft texture.
Avoid over-sprinkling cinnamon sugar to prevent leakage and sogginess.
Roll the dough tightly to achieve neat, even cinnamon swirls.
Check oven for doneness a few minutes before baking time ends, as temperatures vary.
Cool completely before slicing to let the swirl set and maintain slice shape.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg

Keywords: cinnamon bread, donut bread, cinnamon swirl, baked sweet bread, breakfast bread, cinnamon rolls alternative