FIRST STEP: PREPARE THE OVEN AND PAN

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the bread bakes evenly and turns out perfectly golden brown.
2. Prepare the Pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

SECOND STEP: MIX THE DRY INGREDIENTS

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This helps evenly distribute the dry ingredients throughout the batter.
2. Set Aside: Set the dry ingredients aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

THIRD STEP: MAKE THE BREAD BATTER

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
3. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start by adding a third of the dry ingredients, then half of the milk, and repeat until everything is mixed together. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix, or the bread may become dense.
4. Pour the Batter into the Pan: Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

FOURTH STEP: MAKE THE CINNAMON SUGAR COATING

1. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping.
2. Melt the Butter: In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove.

FIFTH STEP: BAKE THE BREAD

1. Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. The bread should be golden brown on top and have a slightly firm texture when pressed.
2. Cool the Bread: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the cinnamon sugar coating.

SIXTH STEP: ADD THE CINNAMON SUGAR COATING

1. Brush with Butter: After the bread has cooled slightly, brush the top of the loaf with melted butter to help the cinnamon sugar adhere.
2. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the top of the loaf. The sugar will stick to the butter, creating a sweet and crunchy crust on top of the bread.
3. Let It Set: Allow the bread to cool completely, letting the cinnamon sugar topping harden into a crispy crust.

FINAL STEP: SLICE AND SERVE

1. Slice the Bread: Once the bread has cooled completely and the cinnamon sugar coating has set, slice the bread into thick pieces.
2. Serve: Serve the Cinnamon Sugar Donut Sweet Bread as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or dessert. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or milk for the perfect combination.