Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread

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Few things feel as comforting as the scent of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. This Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread combines a tender, fluffy crumb with rich ribbons of cinnamon sugar baked into every slice. It’s the kind of homemade bread that turns an ordinary morning into something special and makes simple moments feel cozy and indulgent.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, this loaf delivers bakery-style flavor without complicated steps. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned home cook, this recipe is approachable, reliable, and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

For the Bread Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• ½ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

For the Cinnamon Swirl

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar

Instructions for Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast until evenly combined.
2. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a soft dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and brown sugar to create the swirl filling.
6. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick.
7. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough surface.
8. Roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam closed.
9. Place the loaf seam-side down in a greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
10. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
11. Bake for 30–40 minutes, until golden brown and baked through.
12. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips

• Keep the dough in a warm, draft-free spot for the best rise.
• Roll the dough tightly to prevent gaps in the cinnamon swirl.
• Check the bread early to avoid overbaking and drying it out.
• Let the loaf cool before slicing to maintain clean, beautiful swirls.

Why This Recipe Works

• Soft, fluffy texture with a rich cinnamon sugar swirl
• Simple ingredients you likely already have
• Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or snacking
• Homemade bakery-style bread without complicated techniques

Substitutions & Variations

• Swap whole milk for almond or oat milk if desired
• Add chopped nuts or raisins for extra texture
• Sprinkle a little vanilla sugar into the filling for deeper flavor
• Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for a dessert-style loaf

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Guide

• Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate after the first rise.
• Storage: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze slices for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave or toast lightly before serving.

Serving Ideas for Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread

• Serve warm with butter or cream cheese
• Pair with fresh fruit and yogurt for breakfast
• Enjoy alongside coffee, tea, or hot cocoa
• Use for French toast for a special weekend treat

Nutrition (Per Serving Estimate)

• Calories: ~200
• Carbohydrates: ~32g
• Protein: ~5g
• Fat: ~6g
• Sugar: ~14g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, dissolve it in warm milk first before mixing with dry ingredients.

Why did my swirl sink?

Rolling too loosely or adding too much filling can cause gaps.

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely. This dough is easy to knead by hand.

How do I know when the bread is done?

The loaf should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

This Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread is a timeless homemade classic that brings warmth, comfort, and irresistible flavor to your table. With its soft crumb and fragrant cinnamon layers, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again for cozy mornings and special moments.

Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Olivia taling

This Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Bread features a soft, fluffy crumb with rich ribbons of cinnamon sugar baked into every slice. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or cozy snacking.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 8 slices

Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• wooden spoon
• Rolling Pin
• loaf pan
• wire cooling rack

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp instant yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast until evenly combined.
• Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a soft dough forms.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar.
• Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
• Roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam closed.
• Place the loaf seam-side down in a greased loaf pan, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake for 30–40 minutes until golden brown and baked through.
• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For the cleanest slices and best swirl definition, allow the bread to cool fully before cutting. This loaf tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

Keyword cinnamon swirl bread, homemade cinnamon bread, sweet bread recipe

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