Easy Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe: Cozy Bakery Magic

Warm, fragrant cinnamon swirl bread could be the comfort food you need right now.

Sweet aromas will drift through your kitchen while mixing these simple ingredients.

Baking becomes an adventure with this delightful recipe that blends soft dough and rich spices.

Every slice promises a delectable journey of flavor and texture.

Soft, pillowy bread with swirling ribbons of cinnamon creates a magical treat perfect for breakfast or snacking.

Mixing, kneading, and baking becomes a delightful experience that connects you to traditional baking methods.

Slice into this homemade treasure and savor each delicious moment.

What Makes Cinnamon Swirl Bread So Special

• Creates warm, nostalgic bread that fills your kitchen with irresistible cinnamon aroma.
• Simple step-by-step instructions make this bread accessible for home bakers of all skill levels, requiring minimal technical baking knowledge.
• Perfect weekend project that transforms lazy mornings into special moments with freshly baked, soft cinnamon swirl bread that everyone will love.
• Minimal active preparation time combined with straightforward techniques means you'll spend just 20-30 minutes hands-on, yet produce a bakery-quality loaf that looks impressively homemade.

Ingredients for a Perfect Cinnamon Swirl

• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides moisture for soft bread texture.
• Yeast: Essential for bread rising and developing light, fluffy structure.
• All-Purpose Flour: Core ingredient creating bread's main structure and texture.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to bread.
• Egg: Helps bind ingredients and enriches bread's texture.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast activity.

• Cinnamon, Sugar: Classic sweet swirl that creates delicious inner layer.
• Milk (for brushing): Helps cinnamon sugar adhere and creates golden surface.

• Use fresh, active dry yeast for best rising.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly.
• Unsalted butter recommended for precise flavor control.

Step-by-Step Cinnamon Bread Instructions

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Allow the mixture to rest and become frothy, watching as tiny bubbles develop and dance for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Create the Dough Foundation

• Egg
• Melted butter
• Salt

Gradually blend flour into the liquid mixture until a soft, pliable dough emerges.

Step 3: Knead the Dough to Perfection

Work the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-6 minutes. If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, continue until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The texture should feel soft yet not sticky.

Step 4: First Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest in a warm spot. Allow the dough to expand and double in size, which typically takes about 1-2 hours.

Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

• Ground cinnamon
• Granulated sugar

Step 6: Shape the Bread

Roll the dough into a rectangular shape. Gently brush the surface with milk, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the entire area.

Step 7: Roll and Form the Loaf

Tightly roll the dough from the short end, creating a beautiful spiral. Carefully pinch the seam to seal it completely.

Step 8: Final Rise

Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again for 45-60 minutes until it becomes puffy and expansive.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes. If the top begins browning too quickly, gently tent with aluminum foil.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Remove from the oven. Optional: Brush with melted butter for extra shine. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow complete cooling before slicing to ensure perfect texture.

Tips for Better Swirls and Softer Slices

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure milk is warm (not hot) between 100-110°F to help yeast bloom without killing it.
• Knead with Confidence: Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly, creating a soft, elastic texture that guarantees tender bread.
• Master the Rise: Let dough rise in a draft-free, warm spot around 80-85°F for optimal volume and soft, airy crumb.
• Prevent Over-Browning: Cover bread with aluminum foil halfway through baking if top browns too quickly, protecting delicate crust.
• Slice After Cooling: Wait until bread completely cools to room temperature to prevent crumbling and maintain perfect slice integrity.

Bread Storage and Reheating Tricks

• Store leftover bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 5 days. Keep at room temperature for maximum freshness.
• Wrap the bread securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze whole or sliced for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm slices at 300F for 57 minutes, wrapped in foil to prevent drying. Unwrap for the last minute to crisp the edges.
• Heat individual slices for 1015 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Add a damp paper towel to maintain moisture and prevent hardening.

Best Pairings for a Warm Slice

• Warm, spicy chai complements the bread's cinnamon flavor, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and aromatic notes.
• Whip softened butter with honey and a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the bread's rich, comforting texture.
• Mix cream cheese with vanilla bean paste for a luxurious, smooth spread that balances the bread's sweetness.
• The coffee's deep flavor and caramel undertones highlight the bread's warm cinnamon profile, making a delightful morning treat.

New Flavors for Cinnamon Swirl Variations

• Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more nutritious bread that adds extra fiber and depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Classic: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add xanthan gum to achieve a similar texture and rise for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute warm almond milk or oat milk for regular milk, and use coconut oil instead of butter to create a completely dairy-free version of the bread.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Reduce sugar content by using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and sprinkle with cinnamon alone for a less sweet, more spice-forward bread option.

FAQ: Homemade Swirled Bread

• What is the purpose of activating the yeast in warm milk?

The warm milk helps activate the yeast, allowing it to bloom and create tiny air bubbles that make the bread soft and fluffy. This process ensures the bread will rise properly and develop a light, airy texture.

• Why do I need to knead the dough?

Kneading develops gluten in the flour, which gives the bread its structure and helps it rise evenly. Proper kneading creates a smooth, elastic dough that will result in a tender, well-textured bread.

• How can I tell if the dough has risen enough?

The dough should double in size and look puffy. When you gently press the dough with your finger, it should slowly spring back but leave a slight indentation. This indicates the yeast has worked effectively and the dough is ready.

• What happens if I don't let the dough rise properly?

If the dough doesn’t rise enough, the bread will be dense, heavy, and won’t have the soft, light texture that makes cinnamon swirl bread delicious. Proper rising is crucial for achieving the perfect bread texture.

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet cinnamon swirl bread beckons with its irresistible spiral of warmth and comfort. Fragrant layers of buttery dough and spicy cinnamon promise a delightful slice that will transport home bakers to bakery bliss.

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Ingredients

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Bread Dough Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Cinnamon Filling Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

Brushing Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast mixture by combining warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, allowing it to become frothy and aromatic for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Incorporate the egg, melted butter, and salt into the activated yeast mixture, then gradually fold in the flour until a supple, cohesive dough emerges.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly dusted surface and knead thoroughly, either manually or using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, until the texture becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Nestle the prepared dough into a generously greased bowl, drape with a clean kitchen towel, and permit it to rise in a warm environment until it doubles in volume.
5. Deflate the risen dough and roll it into a rectangular shape, ensuring an even thickness across the surface.
6. Craft a fragrant cinnamon sugar blend and prepare to enhance the dough’s flavor profile by lightly moistening the surface with milk.
7. Distribute the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across the dough, then meticulously roll the rectangle from the shorter edge, creating a tightly wound cylindrical form.
8. Carefully seal the seam and position the rolled dough into a prepared loaf pan, allowing it to undergo a secondary rising phase until it becomes noticeably puffy.
9. Heat the oven to 350F and bake the loaf, monitoring its coloration and covering with foil if browning occurs too rapidly.
10. Once baked, extract the bread from the oven and optionally brush with melted butter for enhanced richness.
11. Allow the bread to rest briefly in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack, ensuring complete cooling prior to slicing for optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Activate instant yeast by ensuring milk temperature is warm (100-110°F), not hot, which kills yeast and prevents proper rising.
• Adjust gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for similar texture if avoiding wheat, maintaining soft bread consistency.
• Create perfect swirl by rolling dough tightly and evenly, spreading filling close to edges for consistent cinnamon distribution throughout loaf.
• Prevent soggy bottom by using light-colored metal loaf pan and placing on middle oven rack for balanced heat circulation.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg