Cinnamon Donut Loaf (Printable)
A tender, cinnamon-swirled loaf capturing classic donut flavors in a cozy, sliceable cake.
# What You 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
→ Cinnamon Sugar Topping
12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
13 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
14 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
# How To Cook:
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. Avoid overmixing to keep the loaf tender.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon until uniformly mixed.
06 - Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling across the surface in an even layer. Top with the remaining batter and smooth the top.
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 - Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar topping.
09 - Let the loaf cool completely before slicing into 8 even pieces. Serve at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It gives you all the joy of a warm cinnamon donut without heating a single pot of oil.
- The swirl layer creates a gorgeous surprise in every slice that makes people think you spent hours.
02 -
- The swirl layer sometimes sinks slightly if the batter is too thin, so aim for a thick, scoopable consistency.
- Brushing the butter on while the loaf is still warm is what creates that authentic donut crust.
03 -
- Use a light hand when spreading the top layer of batter over the swirl to keep the ribbon distinct and centered.
- The topping sets best if you apply it while the loaf is still warm but not hot out of the oven.