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Sugar Donut Bread Recipe

4.4 from 107 reviews

Sugar Donut Bread is a delightful twist on classic sweet bread, featuring a moist and tender crumb infused with vanilla and topped with a buttery cinnamon-sugar crust, mimicking the flavors of a sugar-coated donut. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, this loaf is easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and offers a comforting treat with a crisp, spiced exterior and soft interior.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups (306 g) whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8 ½ x 4 ½-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the bread from sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt, stirring until evenly distributed.
  3. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be slightly runny.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top as needed.
  6. Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs and the top is golden brown.
  7. Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully remove the bread from the pan and place it on a large piece of parchment paper to cool further.
  8. Brush with Butter: While the bread is still warm, gently brush the entire surface with the melted butter reserved for the topping to help the sugar mixture stick.
  9. Prepare Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until evenly blended.
  10. Apply Topping: Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter-coated surface of the bread. Rotate the loaf as needed to coat all sides thoroughly. Save any leftover sugar mixture for another use.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and fluffy.
  • The cinnamon-sugar topping adds the classic donut flavor—feel free to add more spices like allspice or cloves for extra warmth.
  • Use whole milk for best richness, but you can substitute with a non-dairy milk if desired.
  • Allow the bread to cool slightly before applying the butter and sugar topping to ensure it sticks properly.
  • Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Keywords: sugar donut bread,sweet bread,cinnamon sugar bread,homemade donut bread,baked donut bread,vanilla bread,cinnamon nutmeg bread,breakfast bread,sweet loaf