Cinnamon Swirl Bread | YumAndJoy

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

This Cinnamon Swirl Bread is soft, fluffy, and packed with warm cinnamon flavor. With a tender, buttery dough and a sweet, spiced brown sugar swirl, this homemade bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Enjoy it toasted with butter or turn it into indulgent French toast!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Soft and Fluffy Texture – The perfect balance of light and chewy.
  • Delicious Cinnamon Swirl – A rich, spiced filling that adds extra warmth and sweetness.
  • Homemade Goodness – Freshly baked, preservative-free, and made with simple ingredients.
  • Versatile – Great for toast, French toast, or as a sweet snack.
  • Perfect for Special Occasions – A cozy, comforting bake for family breakfasts or holidays.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dough:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

  1. Warm the milk to about 110°F (warm but not hot).
  2. Stir in the yeast and sugar, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients

  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  2. Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add the melted butter and eggs, stirring to combine.

Step 3: Form the Dough

  1. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
  2. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Step 4: First Rise

  1. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl

  1. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and brown sugar together.

Step 6: Roll and Fill the Dough

  1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle on a floured surface.
  2. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the dough.

Step 7: Shape the Loaf

  1. Roll up the dough tightly from one end to the other to create a loaf shape.
  2. Place the rolled dough into a greased baking pan, seam-side down.
  3. Cover and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes, until doubled.

Step 8: Bake

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

  1. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
  2. Slice and enjoy with butter, honey, or cream cheese!

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: About 8 slices (depends on thickness)
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Rise Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Variations

  • Glazed Cinnamon Swirl Bread – Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness.
  • Nutty Swirl – Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Raisin Cinnamon Bread – Mix in ½ cup raisins for a fruity twist.
  • Pumpkin Spice Version – Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice for a fall-inspired loaf.
  • Honey Butter Spread – Serve with a homemade honey cinnamon butter for a gourmet touch.

Storage/Reheating

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keep in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
  • Reheating: Toast slices in a toaster or oven at 300°F for 5 minutes for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.

FAQs

1. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! If using instant yeast, skip the proofing step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.

2. Why did my bread turn out dense?

The dough may have been under-kneaded or didn’t rise long enough. Ensure the yeast is properly activated.

3. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Use almond milk and vegan butter instead of dairy ingredients.

4. How do I prevent my swirl from separating?

Make sure to roll the dough tightly and seal the edges before baking.

5. Can I make mini loaves instead?

Absolutely! Divide the dough into smaller portions and adjust baking time to 20-25 minutes.

6. What’s the best way to get a soft crust?

Brush the loaf with melted butter immediately after baking for a soft, glossy finish.

7. Can I add more cinnamon?

Of course! Increase the cinnamon to 3 tablespoons for a stronger flavor.

8. How do I know when my bread is fully baked?

Tap the top—if it sounds hollow, it’s done! You can also check with a thermometer (190°F internal temp).

9. Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, but replace only half the all-purpose flour to keep the texture soft.

10. Can I use this dough for cinnamon rolls?

Yes! Roll it out, spread the cinnamon mixture, slice into rolls, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Conclusion

This Cinnamon Swirl Bread is the ultimate homemade treat, featuring a soft, buttery dough and a rich cinnamon sugar swirl. Whether you enjoy it toasted, as French toast, or straight from the loaf, this bread is guaranteed to bring warmth and sweetness to your day. Try it today and enjoy the magic of homemade baking!

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Cinnamon Swirl Bread


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  • Author: asma
  • Total Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Cinnamon Swirl Bread is soft, buttery, and packed with a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar filling that melts in your mouth. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even as a base for French toast, this homemade loaf is easy to make and smells absolutely irresistible while baking!


Ingredients

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk to 110°F (just warm, not hot).

Stir in the yeast and sugar, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and foamy.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

Step 3: Form the Dough

Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add the melted butter and eggs, stirring to combine.

Gradually mix in the flour mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms.

Step 4: Knead & First Rise

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled (about 1 hour).

Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon powder with brown sugar.

Step 6: Roll & Fill the Dough

Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle on a floured surface.

Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the dough.

Roll up the dough tightly from one end to the other, creating a loaf shape.

Step 7: Second Rise

Place the dough into a greased baking pan, seam-side down.

Cover and let it rise again until doubled in size (30-45 minutes).

Step 8: Bake & Cool

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and firm.

Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Instructions

 

Perfect for French Toast: Leftover slices make amazing cinnamon swirl French toast!

Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Extra Moist Bread: Brush the baked loaf with melted butter for a glossy finish.
  • Add a Glaze: Drizzle with a simple vanilla icing (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla extract) for extra sweetness.
  • Perfect for French Toast: Leftover slices make amazing cinnamon swirl French toast!
  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Rise Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Des
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
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