Description
Homemade cinnamon swirl bread is a soft, fluffy loaf filled with a sweet cinnamon and sugar swirl. It fills your kitchen with a warm aroma and is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Making it from scratch allows you to enjoy a fresh, flavorful bread that surpasses store-bought versions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup water, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups bread flour (plus more as needed)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions
- Combine warm water, warm milk, yeast, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Whisk and let sit 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add remaining sugar, softened butter, 1 cup bread flour, and salt. Mix on low, then medium speed until a dough ball forms. Add more flour if needed.
- Knead dough on floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic (perform windowpane test).
- Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place 1-2 hours until doubled.
- Mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon for the filling.
- Punch down dough and roll into a 16×12 inch rectangle. Brush with beaten egg white.
- Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar evenly over dough. Roll tightly from long edge and pinch seam closed.
- Place seam-side down in greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Brush loaf top with melted butter.
- Bake 35-45 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
- Cool in pan 5-10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Use water and milk at about 110°F to avoid killing yeast.
- Allow dough to fully rise for a fluffy texture.
- Measure flour accurately to avoid dry or dense bread.
- Slow overnight rise in refrigerator enhances flavor and texture.
- Adding a pan of water in oven adds steam for a soft crust.
- Optional: add nuts, raisins, or substitute spices for variety.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Cinnamon swirl bread, homemade bread, sweet bread, cinnamon sugar bread, breakfast bread, baked loaf