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Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread

4.92 from 48 votes
By Katie
November 8, 2018
133 comments
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Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread is a sweet cakey loaf with a cinnamon swirl, baked to perfection, and then coated with cinnamon sugar!

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread

I’ve done it again. Introducing my Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread recipe! This is very very similar to my first donut bread recipe but obviously made with pumpkin, swirled with a cinnamon/molasses mixture and baked to perfection. After it’s cooled, you dip the entire loaf in melted butter and cinnamon sugar to get the full donut effect that I am positive will blow your minds.

Main Ingredients Needed

This Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread recipe takes two different batters and swirls them together for a sinful treat. These ingredients first listed are just to make the base Pumpkin batter.

  • Canola Oil – this gives the bread tons of moisture.
  • Butter – beautiful buttery flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar – for sweetness, of course!
  • Eggs – this adds structure and helps the bread rise a bit.
  • Vanilla Extract – vanilla compliments pumpkin and cinnamon sugar very well.
  • Pumpkin Puree – this is a pumpkin bread recipe so we need pumpkin!
  • All-Purpose Flour – this fills out the bread and helps make it bread.
  • Baking Powder – for leavening.
  • Salt – to balance and compliments all the other flavors.
  • Buttermilk – extra moisture comes from this ingredient that creates an extra soft pumpkin bread. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand mix together 1/4 cup of milk and 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar.

Pumpkin Batter

Two Batters

Now from the base pumpkin batter, you can make the second batter. To do so you take 1/2 cup of the original batter and add:

  • Cinnamon – a staple spice that goes so well with pumpkin!
  • Molasses – thick and sticky but also so so so good in this batter mixture. It pairs super well with the pumpkin and cinnamon.

Voila! Now you are ready to dollop and swirl!

Cinnamon Spice Batter

How to Make Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread

For full details on how to make Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread, see the recipe card down below 🙂

  1. Preheat oven. Grease light colored loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, mix oil, butter, and sugar. Stir in eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin until smooth. Gently stir in dry ingredients and buttermilk until a uniform batter has formed. Scrape sides to ensure no lumps are present.
  3. Remove 1/2 cup prepared batter from bowl and place into a separate smaller bowl. To that small amount of batter, stir in cinnamon and molasses.
  4. Pour half of the prepared batter into the bottom of the loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon batter in small dollops over top the batter. Pour remaining plain batter over the top. Dot the top with the remaining cinnamon batter. Using a butter knife, swirl two batters together.
  5. Bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Pumpkin Bread

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread

  • Don’t Over Mix. Overmixing produced gluten in the flour and ruins the soft texture of the pumpkin bread. So mix well but not too well.
  • Mini Loaves. This recipe is also super delicious as mini loaves. Use mini loaf pans or even a cupcake tin! You are going to want to change baking times. They are done when a toothpick comes out clean with maybe a crumb.
  • Mix-Ins. You can also mix in different ingredients to customize your pumpkin bread recipe. Try different varieties of nuts. If you are looking to mix in chocolate chips check out my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread!
Mixing Two Batters

Swirling is Optional

My swirls weren’t the best as you can see in these pictures and you can most definitely skip that step and add the molasses and cinnamon directly into the batter instead of dividing it out, but man, it’s sure fun to do 🙂 I just went back and forth, up and down with a butter knife a few times. Again, an optional step that doesn’t make any difference for taste.

Your texture should be relatively cakey as long as you don’t mix it too vigorously (keep that gluten at bay!) and as long as you don’t over bake. The butter that you coat the entire loaf with will take care of any crispy edges and the cinnamon and sugar coating takes it over the top.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Coating Ingredients

This coating takes this Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread recipe over the top! The ingredient list is short and sweet so let’s get into it.

  • Melted Butter – this is used as a soak! This helps the other goodies stick to the outside of the loaf.
  • Cinnamon, Granulated Sugar, and Brown Sugar – this mixture sticks to the outside and covers any imperfections in the bread. Basically, this cinnamon sugar mixture IS perfection. I mean there are a ton of other amazing treats with a mixture like this, like churros, and elephant ears to name a few.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

  1. While the loaf is baking, get coating ready. Pour melted butter into a large shallow dish. Stir sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a separate large shallow dish.
  2. Cool the loaf before loosening edges and removing loaf from pan. It should be very warm, but cool enough to handle with your hands.
  3. Dip each side of the loaf into melted butter until fully coated. Spoon remaining melted butter over the edges that tend to be more crispy. Transfer buttery loaf to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and press into the sides and top until fully coated.
  4. Slice into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.

How Long Does This Last?

Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread will last 1 to 2 days at room temperature and up to a week stored in the fridge. All in an airtight container of course.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Can You Freeze Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread?

Yes! This Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread freezes beautifully!

To freeze, bake and coat accordingly then let cool completely. The key to freezing pumpkin bread is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap so it is as airtight as possible. Then place in a plastic freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To serve, thaw on the counter for several hours. Then slice and enjoy!

Other Pumpkin Bread Recipes

Or if you are looking for other versions of pumpkin bread, try these out:

The recipe card is listed below. A relatively simple recipe with easy to find ingredients. Just follow the directions as best as you can and enjoy the sugar coma that will follow 😉

Have a great day, friends!

Pumpkin swirl donut Bread

Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread

Katie Cooksey
Pumpkin Swirl Donut Bread is a sweet cakey loaf with a cinnamon swirl, baked to perfection, and then coated with cinnamon sugar!
4.92 from 48 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk or 1/4 cup milk + 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon molasses

for the coating-

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease light colored loaf pan (8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/4” high) with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix oil, butter, and sugar until well combined. Stir in eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin until smooth. Gently stir in dry ingredients and buttermilk until a uniform batter has formed. Scrape sides to ensure no lumps are present. Remove 1/2 cup prepared batter from bowl and place into a separate smaller bowl. To that small amount of batter, stir in cinnamon and molasses.
  • Pour half of the prepared batter into the bottom of the loaf pan. Spoon half of the cinnamon batter in small dollops overtop the batter. Pour remaining plain batter over the top. Dot the top with remaining cinnamon batter. Using a butter knife, swirl two batters together. Bake 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  • While loaf is baking, get coating ready. Pour melted butter into a large shallow dish. Stir sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a separate large shallow dish.
  • Cool 10 minutes before loosening edges and removing loaf from pan. The loaf should be very warm, but cool enough to handle with your hands. Dip each side of loaf into melted butter until fully coated. Spoon remaining melted butter over the edges that tend to be more crispy. Transfer buttery loaf to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and press into the sides and top until fully coated.
  • Slice into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 216mgPotassium: 88mgSugar: 25gVitamin A: 1195IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Keyword pumpkin swirl donut bread
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4.92 from 48 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




133 Responses
  4. Bushra
    Reply

    5 stars
    I finallt tried it and nailed it. Delish. Kids loved it. I love cinnamon for breakfast.
    I just wanted to ask if you can tell me calories per serving. my bread also had 8 evenly cut up pieces.

  13. Ashley J.
    Reply

    5 stars
    I just put up all my Fall decor and ive been searching for my first pumpkin recipe to make and THIS one is it one is it! Eeeek cannot wait to to it!! 🙂

  16. Amanda
    Reply

    5 stars
    Oh, my word!! I am obsessed with all things pumpkin! This looks like the pumpkin version of Dollywood’s cinnamon bread. This is a must try! Thanks for all the amazing recipes.

  19. Ying Lim
    Reply

    Lauren, looks yummy. Can’t wait to make it this Fall. Also, thanks for sharing your wonderful family with us. I look forward to reading This week at Brennans every week 🙂

  33. Hannah H.
    Reply

    Um, anything with the words “donut” and “bread” in the same title (not to mention pumpkin!) is going to be added to my must-make list immediately! 🙂

  44. Emily
    Reply

    I was drooling over this on your Instagram last week, and now I’m here again in a puddle ?. I’ve added it to my recipes to try this week! Can’t go wrong with donut and pumpkin!

  49. Tara
    Reply

    I really really want to make this. My family has never been pumpkin lovers, but i’m hoping this one sways them over. It looks pretty easy too. I’m going to push the donut part of it 😉

  50. Lisa Marcus
    Reply

    This looks like the perfect thing to make for a friend that’s not feeling well. Just the thing to lift her spirits! Thanks for posting this!

  53. Barbara Marcyniuk
    Reply

    hi,Lauren …..I am pinning this pumpkin swirl bread ,as I made it last week to take yo my sons fir dessert….It was enjoyed by all….Will make it again….,,a Thanks

  56. Ashley
    Reply

    5 stars
    I have been making all things pumpkin! And can not wait to add this to the list! Looks amazing 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share all of your delicious recipes!!

  62. Monica
    Reply

    5 stars
    I just made this, SO delish!!! It disappeared in an hour at my house. Definitely a keeper, just like the Pumpkin Pull Apart Bread and the Cinnamon only better rolls!

  69. Rachel M.
    Reply

    I made a pumpkin chocolate bundt cake last year around Thanksgiving that my friends and family couldn’t get enough of (it was requested several times over the holidays) – so I’m definitely going to be making this. It combines the best things – pumpkin and donuts! Looks amazing!

  70. Hannah
    Reply

    5 stars
    YUM!! I can’t wait to bake again. We moved out of our last house mid June and just finally moved into our new home last weekend. So much unpacking to do!

  73. Denise Fonda
    Reply

    Lauren, tried posting my comment and it didn’t let me finish so if I have 2 comments, please just delete one and I’m sorry. My husband is going to love this bread for snacking and I have family for brunch, often, this bread will be perfect for that. TY

  79. Molly Bell
    Reply

    5 stars
    It’s your sweets recipes that always get me! I’m got this one on my grocery list to try this week. And for good measure I’m going to try the broccoli salad too.. balance as you like to say, right? 🙂

  86. Robin Bielby
    Reply

    5 stars
    It’s pumpkin weather! This bread looks so delish for anytime but especially when the weather starts to cook down. Thanks for all your effort to bring us recipes that being us to the dinner table.

  88. Laura Cardin
    Reply

    Sounds and looks delicious! Am looking forward to making this bread this fall to enjoy with steaming cups of coffee. Everything about that speaks to me. Thank you for wonderful recipes.

  89. Nancy M
    Reply

    5 stars
    I made this the same day you posted it. Amazing! It’s like I was the first in line for fresh donuts at the local farm/orchard – but I got to enjoy it right at home. A definite make again (&again!)

  91. AMY DICKINSON
    Reply

    I can’t wait to try this! This is why I love Autumn. Im all about pumpkin, and you chose the perfect time to share this with us! Time to get baking!

  117. Kellie
    Reply

    I just bought a can of pumpkin today and my 5yo wondered what I was going to use it for. I think this will be a perfect way to use it! Thanks for all the yummy recipes you create!

  118. Allison
    Reply

    5 stars
    I don’t know why I didn’t leave a comment on this before but then I realized I commented in IG already and also I was probably busy wiping up my drool from this amazing ness. It literally sounds like a dream come true! I am in the process of moving (husbands schooling keeps us moving) and once I get my pans back THIS is happening. This may actually be heaven on a plate!!

  124. Judy
    Reply

    5 stars
    Lauren I made 4 loaves and they all disappeared! I tweaked the recipe a little and added spices to the pumpkin mixture. I also made your hot pot sugar cookies; I’ve been looking for a good sugar cookie recipe for 50 yrs and you win the gold star. I love your site, Thanks from a 71 yr old!?❤️

  125. DK
    Reply

    5 stars
    that’s it. I’ve had it. I’m making this after work tonite. secondly, you really need to bundle your best of into a book or series of books. thanks again Lauren, dk

  129. Linnea
    Reply

    This looks good, as does your Cinnamon Swirl Donut Bread. I have copied both of them onto Word documents.

    Reading the narrative on the Cinnamon Swirl version, I figured out why you say that a person will gain weight eating it. The “servings” is listed as “1 loaf”!!!

    I have fixed it on my copy. >^..^<

  130. Tracy
    Reply

    5 stars
    Oh! thank you!! Looks a.m.a.z.i.n.g. I want to go into my kitchen right this minute and make it. Unfortunately it’s 10:00 PM so I’ll have to wait till morning…….right after yoga. Gotta exercise to eat this wonderful looking bread. Can’t wait! Great photos.

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Hi, I'm Katie, a professional recipe developer who spends countless hours perfecting recipes so you can know with confidence that what you see is exactly what you’ll get.

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