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Cinnamon Swirl Bread


Course Bread
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Proofing Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 1 loaf
Close up photo of a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread that has been sliced into revealing the center.

This Cinnamon Swirl Bread is incredibly tender and moist complete with a sweet brown sugar and cinnamon swirl throughout the entire loaf! Only 30 minutes of hands-on time is needed to bake up a loaf of this homemade bread!

Ingredients  

Bread

  • teaspoons dry active yeast 1 packet
  • ¾ cup warm water between 105-110°F
  • ½ cup warm whole milk between 105-110°F
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter softened
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter melted

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon water

Filling

  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • Grease a 9-inch loaf pan and set aside.
  • Dissolve the yeast in warm water (105-110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Combine dissolved yeast, warm milk, sugar, 1 tablespoon softened salted butter, 3 cups of flour, and salt. If you have a dough hook with a stand mixer, you may use this to stir the dough. If not, I recommend using a large bowl and a heavy wooden spoon. Gradually add in the remaining cup of flour.
  • When the dough starts to form a ball, remove it to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Then form the dough into a large ball and place it into a greased bowl. Turn it over so that all of the dough is coated with oil. Cover the loaf with plastic wrap, or a damp towel. Place the bowl in a warm spot, not too hot, no drafts. Allow it to rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl to create the egg wash. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Set aside.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll the dough into a 16x8-inch rectangle.
  • Brush a thin layer of egg wash over the dough and sprinkle on the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  • Start rolling up from one of the short sides (one of the 8-inch sides). Roll fairly tightly. Place the loaf into the prepared loaf pan. Slash the top of the loaf three times, about ¼ inch deep. Brush the loaf with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
  • Bake for 40 minutes on the lowest rack of the oven, check for doneness. It should sound hollow when you knock on it. If needed, then bake for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove the loaf from the oven. Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then remove the loaf from the pan and allow it to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • How To Store: Store in a dry air-tight container for up to 3 days.
  • How To Freeze: Allow bread to cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 6 months but best used within 2 months of freezing.
  • I like raisins in my cinnamon bread – will that work in this recipe? Yes! If you decide to add raisins, it is best to pulse them in your food processor with the sugar, flour, and cinnamon mixture. This will make them small enough so that they don’t create extra air pockets in the bread. (try to get them down to at least ¼ inch size)
  • Can I use white sugar instead of brown? Yes, it will change the texture and flavor slightly but still be absolutely delicious!
  • Why use egg wash when adding the filling? This helps to bind the bread together to avoid the swirl creating gaps in the bread. That is also the reason for including the flour in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
  • How warm is the best temperature for allowing bread to rise? The best temperature is between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If your kitchen is colder than this, you could fill a large bowl with hot water and cover it with a plate. Place the covered bowl with the bread dough on top of this bowl of hot water.
  • Does this bread toast nicely? Absolutely!! And it even makes WONDERFUL French toast!

Nutrition

Calories: 2526kcal | Carbohydrates: 471g | Protein: 73g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 236mg | Sodium: 2690mg | Potassium: 1117mg | Fiber: 23g | Sugar: 73g | Vitamin A: 1147IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 346mg | Iron: 26mg

Find it online: www.sugarandsoul.co/cinnamon-swirl-bread/