Cozy Homemade Cinnamon Bread Recipe for Sweet Mornings

Baking this hearty cinnamon bread brings warmth to any kitchen, filling the air with sweet, comforting aromas.

Soft swirls of spice weave through tender crumb, promising delectable moments ahead.

Memories of grandmother’s classic recipe inspired this delightful twist on a beloved favorite.

Home bakers will adore how simple ingredients combine into something magical.

Each slice offers a perfect balance between subtle sweetness and rich, spicy notes.

Mixing becomes a joyful experience with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Curious cooks can create this delectable treat in under an hour, making it an ideal weekend project.

What Makes Cinnamon Bread So Warm and Nostalgic

• A Homemade Cinnamon Bread Adventure
• No complex techniques required, perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want delicious homemade bread without stress.
• Fills your kitchen with irresistible cinnamon aroma, creating an inviting atmosphere that wraps you in pure comfort and nostalgia.
• Transforms seamlessly from breakfast star to afternoon snack, ideal for family gatherings, weekend brunches, or casual coffee moments.
• Uses basic pantry ingredients, saving money while delivering bakery-quality results right in your own kitchen with minimal investment.

What You’ll Need for Sweet Cinnamon Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational base for the bread's structure, choose high-quality unbleached flour for best results.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.

• Active Dry Yeast, Warm Milk, Sugar: Crucial for bread rising and developing soft texture, ensure milk is warm but not hot to activate yeast properly.

• Butter, Egg: Provide richness, moisture, and help bind the dough, use room temperature butter for easier mixing.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Create sweet and warm flavor profile, use fresh ground cinnamon for maximum aroma.
• Optional Topping Butter: Adds extra shine and flavor to the finished bread.

Baking Cinnamon Bread That’s Fluffy and Spiced

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Grab warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Blend them together in a cozy bowl and wait patiently. Watch the mixture become magical and bubbly within 5-10 minutes.

Step 2: Create Dough Magic

• Flour
• Salt

Mix in the awakened yeast, melted butter, and a fresh egg. Knead the dough on a flour-dusted surface or use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Work it until smooth and bouncy.

Step 3: First Dough Transformation

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Drape a clean towel over it and let it rest in a warm spot. Watch it double in size over 1-1.5 hours.

Step 4: Prepare Cinnamon Explosion

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Step 5: Shape Delicious Layers

Gently deflate the risen dough. Roll it into a rectangular canvas. Spread soft butter across the surface. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture generously.

Step 6: Roll and Seal

Tightly roll the dough from the short side. Pinch the edges to create a perfect seal. Place the roll seam-side down in a greased loaf pan.

Step 7: Final Rise

Cover the pan with a towel. Let the dough puff up for 30-45 minutes.

Step 8: Warm Up the Oven

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. If the top darkens too quickly, tent with aluminum foil.

Step 10: Add Finishing Touch

Brush warm bread with melted butter. Dust with extra cinnamon sugar if desired.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Allow bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Slice and savor each incredible bite!

Tips for That Golden Crust and Soft Middle

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Use warm milk between 100-110°F to ensure optimal yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
• Knead with Confidence: Work the dough until it becomes smooth and springs back when gently pressed, indicating proper gluten development.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Place the loaf pan on the middle oven rack to ensure even heat distribution and achieve a crispy, golden bottom.
• Control Browning Technique: Tent the bread with aluminum foil if the top browns too quickly, protecting the surface while allowing internal cooking.
• Customize Sweetness Level: Adjust the sugar quantity in the filling to match your preference, making the bread more or less sweet without compromising texture.

Best Way to Store and Toast Slices Later

• Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 4 days. Keep at room temperature for 1-2 days in an airtight container.
• Wrap completely cooled bread in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Unwrap frozen bread, thaw at room temperature. Warm at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, wrapped in foil to prevent drying.
• Slice bread and microwave individual pieces for 10-15 seconds. Add a damp paper towel to prevent hardening and maintain moisture.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Bread

• Freshly brewed chai tea or creamy hot cocoa complements the bread's sweet cinnamon notes, creating a cozy flavor harmony.
• Serve alongside whipped cream cheese or vanilla bean butter to elevate the bread's rich, warm spice profile.
• Select a light moscato or sweet riesling to highlight the bread's sugary cinnamon undertones, providing a delightful afternoon treat.
• Add fresh berries or sliced bananas to create a balanced breakfast experience that enhances the bread's sweet and spicy character.

Flavor Variations for Cinnamon Cravings

• Gluten-Free Cinnamon Bread: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum. Use almond milk or coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative for liquid ingredients.
• Whole Wheat Hearty Version: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a nuttier flavor profile. Add ground flaxseed for extra fiber and texture.
• Vegan Cinnamon Swirl Bread: Use plant-based milk, replace eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, and swap butter with coconut oil. Ensure yeast is activated with warm non-dairy milk and sugar.
• Low-Sugar Cinnamon Bread: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Replace some sugar with unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture while cutting calories.

Questions on Cinnamon Bread? Answered

• Why is my dough not rising properly?

Yeast might be old or inactive, or the environment is too cold. Always use fresh yeast and place the dough in a warm, draft-free area like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on.

• How can I tell if the dough is kneaded enough?

The dough should feel smooth, elastic, and spring back when you press it. If using a stand mixer, knead for about 5-7 minutes. When hand-kneading, press the dough and it should not tear easily.

• Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface. Use the heel of your hand to push and fold the dough repeatedly until it becomes smooth and elastic. It might take a bit more effort, but the result will be just as delicious.

• What if my bread turns out dense?

Ensure your yeast is fresh and active, let the dough rise completely in a warm place, and avoid adding too much flour during kneading. Overworking the dough or using cold ingredients can also lead to a dense texture.

Cinnamon Bread Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm, inviting cinnamon bread whispers comfort from Grandma’s kitchen. Fragrant swirls of spice and sweet dough promise a delightful slice of homemade goodness you’ll savor with pure joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (384 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) warm milk
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted

Yeast and Sweeteners:

• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (73 grams) brown sugar

Spices and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar

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Instructions

1. Transform milk with sugar and yeast into a frothy activation pool, allowing the mixture to bloom and develop robust fermentation characteristics for approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. Integrate flour and salt into a comprehensive mixing vessel, then incorporate the activated yeast essence, melted butter, and whisked egg. Manipulate the emerging dough through vigorous kneading on a flour-dusted workspace, rendering it silky and resilient for 6-8 minutes.
3. Nestle the crafted dough into a generously greased receptacle, drape with a pristine textile, and permit transformation in a nurturing environment until volume doubles, approximately 60-90 minutes.
4. Craft a decadent spice blend by meticulously combining granulated and brown sugars with aromatic ground cinnamon.
5. Deflate the risen dough and extend into a rectangular canvas, lavishly spreading softened butter across the surface before generously distributing the cinnamon sugar mixture.
6. Execute a precise roll from the shorter edge, creating a compact cylindrical form. Carefully seal the seam and position within a buttered loaf container, ensuring seamless presentation.
7. Allow secondary proofing by covering the formed loaf, enabling additional volume expansion for 40-50 minutes.
8. Calibrate oven temperature to 350F, preparing a controlled baking environment.
9. Introduce the loaf to heated chambers, monitoring browning for 32-38 minutes. Strategically deploy aluminum shield if surface darkens prematurely.
10. Optional embellishment involves brushing warm surface with liquid butter and sprinkling residual cinnamon sugar for enhanced aromatics.
11. Permit cooling within the pan for minimal 10 minutes before transferring to a ventilated cooling platform, then slice and savor the aromatic creation.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully by using warm milk (not hot) to prevent killing the live cultures, ensuring a perfect rise.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a soft and tender bread texture with smooth elasticity.
• Control moisture by checking dough consistency – it should be slightly tacky but not sticky, using additional flour sparingly.
• Consider alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a deeper flavor profile and unique cinnamon bread variation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg