Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon until well combined. The addition of nutmeg gives this bread that classic donut flavor, reminiscent of an old-fashioned cake donut.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, yogurt or sour cream, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. The yogurt or sour cream adds moisture to the bread, giving it a tender crumb, while the vanilla enhances the flavor.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense bread. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy, which is perfect for this recipe.
5. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Tap the pan on the counter a couple of times to remove any air bubbles.
6. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The bread should be golden brown on top, with a lovely crack down the middle.
7. Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bread out of the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: While the bread is cooling, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Melt the butter in a separate bowl.
9. Apply Topping: Once the bread is mostly cooled (it can still be slightly warm), brush the top and sides generously with the melted butter. Immediately sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the bread, pressing gently to adhere. Don’t be afraid to be generous with the topping—it’s what makes this bread truly taste like a donut!
10. Slice and Serve: Once the cinnamon sugar has set, slice the bread into thick slices and serve. The bread has a soft, cake-like texture inside, with a sweet and slightly crisp cinnamon sugar crust. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

Tips:

• Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes.
• Add-ins: For extra flavor, consider folding in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even diced apples into the batter.

This Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread combines the best parts of a donut and a loaf of sweet bread, making it an irresistible treat for any time of day!