Description
Soft, buttery, and swirled with rich cinnamon sugar, this homemade cinnamon bread is perfect for cozy mornings or weekend treats. Easy enough for first-time bakers, but with tips that make it foolproof for seasoned pros. Its golden crust, pillowy interior, and irresistible aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and comfort. Slice thick for breakfast, toast with butter, or enjoy plain with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2¾ cups bread flour (or all-purpose)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (or 1 packet active dry yeast)
- ¾ cup whole milk (or plant-based milk)
- ¼ cup melted butter (or vegan butter)
- 1 large egg (or flax egg)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ½ cup raisins or chopped pecans
- Optional glaze: ¼ cup powdered sugar + 1–2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Warm milk to about body temperature. If using active dry yeast, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in milk; let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add egg, melted butter, and yeast-milk mixture. Mix until soft dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (~1 hour).
- Prepare cinnamon filling by mixing brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon (optional: nutmeg or vanilla).
- Punch down dough and roll into an 8×14 inch rectangle. Brush with butter and sprinkle cinnamon mixture evenly. Roll tightly from short end and pinch seam. Place seam-side down in greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise 30–40 minutes until puffed.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes until golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too fast. Check internal temp: 190°F.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to rack. Brush with butter while warm. Optional: drizzle glaze after cooling.
Notes
- Adjust sugar in filling to taste; 1–2 tablespoons more sugar gives a sweeter loaf.
- For overnight prep, let dough rise slowly in the fridge. Shape and bake in the morning.
- Dough can be enriched with a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Yeast Bread
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg