Description
This cinnamon swirl bread is a soft, sweet, and comforting loaf filled with swirls of cinnamon and sugar. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a dessert. The aroma of cinnamon baking fills the kitchen, making it a favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the cinnamon filling:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the glaze (optional):
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Brush the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top.
- Starting from one end, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, pinching the ends to seal. Tuck the ends under and place the dough seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover the dough and let it rise for 30-40 minutes, or until it has risen just above the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze (optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle over the cooled bread before serving.
Notes
- You can add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or raisins to the filling for extra flavor.
- To keep the bread soft, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- This bread freezes well; just wrap tightly and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes