Description
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread is a soft, sweet, and flavorful bread that tastes just like a warm cinnamon sugar donut, but in loaf form! With a perfect combination of tender dough, cinnamon-spiced filling, and a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating, this bread is a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with a cup of coffee, this sweet bread will quickly become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
For the bread:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the cinnamon sugar filling:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the yeast mixture:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. - Make the dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine, then knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. - First rise:
Lightly oil the dough and place it in a clean bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size. - Prepare the cinnamon sugar filling:
While the dough is rising, in a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the filling. In another small bowl, melt the butter for the filling. - Shape the bread:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Brush the melted butter for the filling over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough. - Roll and slice:
Starting at one end, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Slice the log into 6-8 even pieces. - Place the dough into the pan:
Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and place the slices of dough into the pan, arranging them to fit snugly. Cover the pan with a towel and let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes, or until it has risen to the top of the pan. - Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough finishes rising. - Bake the bread:
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil. - Prepare the topping:
While the bread is baking, combine the melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar for the topping in a small bowl. Once the bread is finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before brushing the topping over the top of the warm bread. - Serve:
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This sweet bread is best served fresh but can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months and reheat it in the oven when ready to serve.
- If you prefer a more donut-like texture, you can fry individual slices of the dough instead of baking it in a loaf pan.
- Try adding a drizzle of glaze or frosting on top for extra sweetness!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American