Cinnamon Swirl Bread is a delightful, sweet, and fragrant bread that combines a soft, fluffy texture with a delicious cinnamon-sugar swirl. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack with a cup of coffee. Here’s a simple and tasty recipe for making your own homemade cinnamon swirl bread:
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
- Make the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Mix the dough together until it forms a soft ball. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or knead it by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise:
- Lightly grease the bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the cinnamon swirl:
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Set aside.
- Shape the dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 12×8 inches in size.
- Brush the dough with the melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll and shape the bread:
- Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the edges to seal the dough and prevent the filling from spilling out.
- Place the rolled dough seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second rise:
- Cover the loaf pan with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen just above the edge of the pan.
- Bake the bread:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the dough has risen, bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread:
- Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional glaze:
- While the bread is cooling, make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Serve:
- Slice the bread and enjoy! It’s delicious on its own or with a little butter spread on top.
Tips:
- Texture: To get a soft, fluffy texture, make sure you don’t overwork the dough and let it rise long enough for the yeast to fully activate.
- Swirl filling: You can add a few tablespoons of chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) or raisins to the cinnamon sugar mixture for added texture.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature before proceeding with shaping and the second rise.
This Cinnamon Swirl Bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a treat to share with friends and family. Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon and sweetness in every bite!