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I wanna share my absolute favorite easy bake treat! This Sugar Cinnamon Bread gives you all the donut vibes without any hassle. I whipped up this idea one lazy weekend morning when donut cravings hit but I couldn't be bothered with the whole frying thing. What came out of my oven? A super yummy loaf that makes your home smell amazing and tastes just like those sugar-dusted donuts we all can't resist!
Tasty and Straightforward
What makes this bread so great is how easy it is. I've spent tons of time baking and learned that simple stuff often brings the biggest smiles. You'll only need basic stuff from your kitchen but the end result is something special. Even friends who barely bake have knocked this one out of the park!
Must-Have Components
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g) – Just scoop flour into your measuring cup and level it off for the right amount.
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups (300 g) – You'll use this in both the bread and the sweet coating.
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons – This makes your bread nice and fluffy.
- Kosher salt: ½ teaspoon – Cuts through the sweetness for better flavor.
- Whole milk: 1 ¼ cups (306 g) – Gives your batter that smooth, rich feel.
- Egg: 1 large, room temp – Helps everything stick together and adds moisture.
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons melted for batter, ¼ cup for topping – Makes everything taste better and richer.
- Vanilla extract: 1 tablespoon – Adds that warm background flavor everyone loves.
- Granulated sugar (for the topping): ½ cup (100 g) – Creates that sweet, crackly outside.
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon – The star flavor that makes it taste like a donut.
- Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon – Adds that cozy, warm kick to the coating.
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Foolproof Bread Instructions
- Get your oven ready and prep your pan
- Heat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grab an 8 ½ x 4 ½-inch loaf pan and give it a good spray with cooking spray so nothing sticks.
- Combine dry stuff
- Take a big bowl and throw in 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix them up good.
- Blend wet stuff
- In another bowl, mix together 1 ¼ cups whole milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until everything looks smooth.
- Mix everything together
- Dump your wet mix into your dry mix and stir just until blended. Don't go crazy with mixing. The batter should look a bit loose.
- Pop it in the oven
- Pour your batter into the pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for about 60-70 minutes until you can stick a toothpick in and it comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before taking it out.
- Make your sweet coating
- While your bread cools a bit, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter. In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
- Give it that sweet finish
- Brush your warm bread with melted butter, then sprinkle that cinnamon sugar mix all over it. Turn the loaf around to get sugar on all sides.
Keeping It Fresh
At my place this bread gets gobbled up fast! When we do have some left, I keep it in my trusty container at room temp. You can also freeze it for later if you wrap it up tight. There's nothing better than warming up a slice to go with your morning cup of joe.
Try It As Muffins
I sometimes turn this into cute little muffins, especially for get-togethers. They only need about 20-25 minutes in the oven and each one gets dunked in that yummy butter and sugar mix. Everyone loves having their own personal treat!
What Makes This A Winner
I've shared this so many times and now I know why everyone keeps asking for it. There's just something magical about that soft bread inside and sweet cinnamon coating outside. And don't worry if you're new to baking, this one's super forgiving. Just wait till you smell it baking!
How To Keep It Fresh
Keeping that just-baked taste means storing it right. I use an airtight container, but for freezing you'll want to wrap it really well. The cool thing is you can grab a piece months later and it'll taste almost like you just made it!
Ways To Enjoy It
I love eating this bread slightly warm with coffee for breakfast. When friends come over for brunch, I'll put out some fresh fruit and whipped cream alongside it. Want a crazy good dessert? Toast a slice and top it with vanilla ice cream. You won't believe how good it is!
Mini Version Details
For parties I usually go with muffins instead of a loaf. They're the perfect size and super fun to eat! Just keep an eye on them since they bake quicker than the full loaf. The best part is rolling them in the cinnamon sugar while they're still warm!
Swap Ingredients If Needed
I've tried tons of different versions over time. You can use almond milk if you don't do dairy, and some applesauce works great instead of some butter if you want it lighter. This recipe doesn't mind a few tweaks, so go ahead and make it your way!
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Common Questions
- → Why shouldn't I overmix the batter?
Mixing too much creates gluten that makes your bread tough. Just stir until everything's combined for a soft, tender loaf.
- → How do I know when the bread is done?
Stick a toothpick in the middle - it should come out with just a few crumbs. The top should look golden brown and feel firm when you lightly press it.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Sure thing! This bread stays good for 3-4 days at room temperature if you wrap it well. The sugar coating helps the outside stay nice and crispy.
- → Why add the sugar coating while warm?
The heat from the fresh bread helps melt both butter and sugar slightly, making the coating stick better. Let it cool all the way before you cut it.
- → Can I freeze this bread?
Absolutely! Wrap it tight and keep it frozen up to 3 months. Let it thaw completely before you add the sugar coating for the best taste.
Final Thoughts
An enjoyable quick bread that brings to mind a classic snickerdoodle cookie, offering a soft, vanilla-rich loaf surrounded by a crunchy cinnamon-sugar shell.