If you’ve ever craved the cozy sweetness of cinnamon donuts but wanted to use your sourdough starter, this Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread is for you. It’s a soft, cinnamon-swirled loaf with a sugary crust, tasting like a donut while staying light and easy to slice for breakfast or snacks. Using your sourdough starter or discard, this bread brings a gentle tang that pairs beautifully with cinnamon’s warmth. We’ll walk through the best way to layer cinnamon sugar, keep your crumb soft, and enjoy Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread fresh or toasted with your morning coffee.
Table of Contents
Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread
Description
Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread blends the tang of sourdough with cinnamon sugar for a cozy, soft loaf that tastes like a donut but is easy to slice for breakfast or snacks.
Ingredients
300g bread flour
100g active sourdough starter or discard
150g water
50g sugar
50g melted butter
5g salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
Additional cinnamon sugar for layering (1/4 cup sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix flour, water, and sourdough starter until combined. Rest 30 minutes.
2. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix until incorporated.
3. Cover and let rise until doubled, 3-4 hours, or overnight in the fridge.
4. Prepare cinnamon sugar for layering.
5. Lightly flour your surface and stretch dough into a rectangle.
6. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the dough, fold gently to create layers.
7. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan.
8. Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes until puffy.
9. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
10. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and a thermometer reads 200°F inside.
11. Cool before slicing and enjoying.
Notes
Layering cinnamon sugar instead of mixing it in helps preserve the rise.
Optional: drizzle a simple glaze after baking for extra sweetness.
Best enjoyed warm or toasted with butter, or use for French toast.
Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread: Cozy, Sweet, and Soft
There’s a special kind of comfort that comes from cinnamon sugar clinging to warm slices of Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread on a slow morning. One crisp Saturday, craving the cozy warmth of cinnamon donuts but wanting to use my active sourdough starter, I decided to merge the two. What came out of the oven was a soft, cinnamon-swirled loaf with a crackly sugar crust, tasting like a bakery donut but easier, more nourishing, and homey.
Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread brings the gentle tang of sourdough together with a cinnamon sugar swirl that caramelizes just enough as it bakes, filling your kitchen with a scent that says “weekend is here.” It’s beginner-friendly, forgiving, and perfect for sharing with your family over coffee or tea.
If you love cozy cinnamon recipes, you’ll also enjoy these Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Roll Bites for quick, sweet snacks or this Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake that pairs perfectly with your morning brew. Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread fits right alongside these bakes, giving you a sweet, soft, cinnamon-filled loaf you’ll want to bake again and again.
If you’ve been looking for a way to use your sourdough starter while bringing cinnamon warmth into your kitchen, this recipe will quickly become a new favorite in your rotation.
Baking the Perfect Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread
Making Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread is easier than you think, but a few small adjustments help you get a soft, donut-like crumb while maintaining your sourdough’s tang and strength. Cinnamon can affect your dough, so understanding how to work with it ensures a fluffy, sweet loaf every time.
How Cinnamon Affects Sourdough
Cinnamon is naturally antimicrobial, which can slow down fermentation in your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread. Don’t worry, though; the trick is to layer the cinnamon sugar rather than mixing it directly into your dough. This keeps your starter active and your crumb airy while still giving you pockets of warm cinnamon flavor.
Using active starter will give your bread a slightly tangier bite, while using sourdough discard keeps the process simpler without compromising flavor. If you’re new to managing your starter, check out my Sourdough Starter Maintenance Guide for tips on keeping it strong for bakes like this.
Creating the Donut-Like Crumb
The magic of Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread is in its tender crumb. To achieve this, use a well-hydrated dough and don’t overwork it after layering your cinnamon sugar. After your initial bulk fermentation, gently shape your dough, sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top, and fold carefully to create ribbons of sweetness without deflating your loaf.
This gentle layering technique is similar to how I handle my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Roll Cake, ensuring pockets of cinnamon while preserving structure. It helps the sugar caramelize beautifully in the oven, giving your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread that irresistible, donut-like finish with every slice.
Fun Ways to Enjoy Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread
Once you’ve baked your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread, you’ll find countless ways to enjoy its warm, cinnamon sweetness. Whether you’re craving a cozy breakfast or a comforting afternoon snack, this bread offers the perfect blend of tang, softness, and sweet crunch.
Is Dunkin Donuts Sourdough Real? (And Why Yours Is Better)
Many ask if Dunkin Donuts’ sourdough bread is real sourdough. While it has a sourdough flavor, most commercial breads, including Dunkin’s, often include yeast and additives to speed up production, making them different from naturally fermented sourdough like your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread.
By using your active sourdough starter or discard, you control fermentation, flavor, and quality without unnecessary ingredients. This method brings true sourdough benefits like easier digestion and layered flavor while letting you customize your bread with cozy cinnamon sugar swirls. For another sweet sourdough treat, try these Sourdough Discard Apple Fritters for a crispy, cinnamon-forward snack that complements your baking journey.
How to Eat Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread
Like the joy of grabbing a slice of Trader Joe’s cinnamon bread, your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread can be enjoyed in multiple ways. Toast it lightly and spread with butter for a crisp, warm breakfast. Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea for a quiet morning ritual, or use thick slices for a decadent French toast weekend brunch.
It also makes a comforting afternoon snack with a drizzle of honey or a swipe of cream cheese for a touch of tang. For more cozy breakfast ideas, you might enjoy this Overnight Chia Pudding with Tropical Fruits for a lighter option alongside your warm slice of Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread.
Using Sourdough Bread for Cinnamon Rolls and Variations
Your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread is already a comforting, cinnamon-filled treat, but you can easily adapt it for even more cozy bakes in your kitchen.
Can You Use Sourdough Bread for Cinnamon Rolls?
Yes, you can use your sourdough bread dough for cinnamon rolls, and your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread is the perfect starting point. Instead of shaping as a loaf, roll your dough into a rectangle, spread with softened butter, cinnamon sugar, and optional chopped nuts or raisins, then roll it into a log and slice into rolls.
Let the rolls proof until puffy before baking, just as you would for your bread. This method captures the same tangy sourdough flavor while giving you soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls. If you love cozy sourdough cinnamon bakes, try these Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites for a quick, snackable option, or explore these Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Knots for an easy twist on cinnamon rolls.
Optional Variations for Your Bread
Once you’re comfortable with your base Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread, try adding:
- Chopped apples or pears for a fruity cinnamon swirl.
- Toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch and warmth.
- A simple glaze (powdered sugar and milk) drizzled over your warm loaf for a sweet finish.
These variations add new flavors while keeping the bread beginner-friendly and cozy. With every bake, you’ll discover new ways to enjoy your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread while learning how flexible sourdough can be in your home kitchen.
FAQS
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Is Dunkin Donuts sourdough bread real sourdough?
Most commercial sourdough, including Dunkin’s, often contains added yeast and conditioners for speed, making it different from naturally fermented sourdough like your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread.
Can you use sourdough bread for cinnamon rolls?
Yes! You can adapt your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread dough into cinnamon rolls by rolling, filling with cinnamon sugar, slicing, and baking for a tangy, fluffy treat.
How does cinnamon affect sourdough?
Cinnamon can slow fermentation, but layering cinnamon sugar instead of mixing directly into the dough helps maintain rise and keeps your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread fluffy.
How to eat Trader Joe’s cinnamon bread (or this bread)?
Enjoy your Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread toasted with butter, as French toast, or warm with coffee for a cozy snack or breakfast.
Conclusion
Sourdough Cinnamon Donut Bread brings the cozy warmth of cinnamon sugar together with the gentle tang of sourdough, creating a loaf that’s as comforting as it is simple to make. Each slice offers a soft, sweet crumb that’s perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or sharing with loved ones over coffee.
If you’re ready to add more cozy sourdough recipes and beginner-friendly bakes to your table, follow me on Facebook and Pinterest. Let’s keep enjoying the trail together, one warm loaf at a time.
