Name: Cinnamon Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup milk; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

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This Cinnamon Bread is pure comfort in a loaf, filled with ribbons of spiced sweetness and an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes. It’s the kind of recipe that feels special enough for a celebration, yet easy enough to whip up on a weekday morning. Whether enjoyed warm from the oven or toasted the next day, Cinnamon Bread is the ultimate treat for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s keep things delightfully simple—each ingredient comes together with a clear purpose, ensuring your Cinnamon Bread turns out soft, tender, and perfectly swirled every single time. Don’t be tempted to skip or swap too much, as each component brings something special to the mix.

All-purpose flour: This is the sturdy foundation that gives the bread its structure and soft crumb.
Baking powder: A key leavening agent that helps your bread rise tall and fluffy.
Salt: Just a half teaspoon sharpens all the sweet flavors for a truly balanced loaf.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice, infusing the bread and its swirl with cozy warmth.
Granulated sugar: Both in the batter and the swirl, it delivers sweetness as well as a lovely golden crust.
Unsalted butter (melted): Makes the interior rich, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Milk: Adds lightness and brings everything together, with a subtle creamy note.
Large eggs: These bind the dough and add just the right amount of richness and lift.
Vanilla extract: Deepens flavor, adding aromatic sweetness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
For the cinnamon swirl—granulated sugar and ground cinnamon: This iconic duo creates those unmistakable ribbons of sweet, spiced magic running through the loaf.

How to Make Cinnamon Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a moment to grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan—this step ensures the Cinnamon Bread releases with ease, leaving you with those gorgeous edges and no frustrating sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In your largest bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. Whisking well keeps the leavening agents and spices evenly distributed, setting the stage for a loaf that rises and bakes evenly, with cinnamon in every bite.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. This step brings together all the creamy, rich components that will transform your dry mix into a luscious batter.

Step 4: Make the Batter

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and gently stir until you see just a few streaks of flour left. Don’t overmix—less is more here! Overworking the batter can make the bread tough, while gentle mixing gives you that soft, cakey texture Cinnamon Bread is famous for.

Step 5: Swirl In the Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, create your cinnamon swirl by stirring together the 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Pour half the batter into your prepared loaf pan, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mix all over. Add the remaining batter on top, and finish with the rest of the cinnamon sugar. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture throughout—this creates that beautiful marbled effect.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes. Your kitchen will smell like heaven! Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Cinnamon Bread

Garnishes

Sometimes, all this Cinnamon Bread needs is a simple pat of butter melting over a warm slice. But if you want to dress things up, try a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of vanilla glaze, or even a swipe of creamy almond butter for a little extra indulgence.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a bowl of fresh fruit salad, tangy Greek yogurt, or a steaming cup of coffee or chai. For a cozy brunch spread, serve it with scrambled eggs or crisp bacon—the sweetness plays beautifully with both sweet and savory sides.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your Cinnamon Bread into bite-size French toast cubes, or slice and toast it for homemade cinnamon bread croutons—perfect for a whimsical dessert parfait. For a special holiday breakfast, turn slices into a decadent bread pudding or a show-stopping layered trifle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have leftover Cinnamon Bread, keep it fresh by wrapping slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil and storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps retain moisture and prevents the bread from drying out.

Freezing

Cinnamon Bread freezes beautifully! Simply cool the loaf completely, then wrap it (either whole or sliced) in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a delicious treat anytime.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a slice in the toaster or microwave for 10–15 seconds—just enough to make it warm and inviting. If you prefer, you can gently reheat the entire (thawed) loaf in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor!

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?

Yes, you can substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, though the bread will turn out heartier and slightly denser. If you go all-in with whole wheat, consider adding an extra tablespoon or two of milk for tenderness.

What can I use instead of butter for a dairy-free version?

Dairy-free spreads or melted coconut oil work well in place of butter. You’ll still get a lovely, moist texture, but keep in mind the flavor may shift a touch depending on your substitute.

Can I add nuts or raisins to my Cinnamon Bread?

Absolutely! Chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or a generous handful of raisins or currants add a delicious twist. Fold them in with the dry ingredients for even distribution.

How do I know when my Cinnamon Bread is done baking?

The top will be golden, and a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If it looks wet, give it a few more minutes and check again.

Why did my Cinnamon Bread come out dry?

Dry bread can happen if it’s overbaked or the batter was overmixed. Always start checking a few minutes before the minimum time, and be gentle when stirring ingredients together. Incorporate just until no flour streaks remain for a tender loaf.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably heartwarming about sharing a fresh loaf of Cinnamon Bread—each slice is a little moment of comfort and joy. If you’ve never baked your own, this is the recipe to try. Give it a whirl, and let your kitchen be filled with the magic of cinnamon and sweetness!

Cinnamon Bread Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of this homemade Cinnamon Bread, a sweet and aromatic treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. With a delicious cinnamon swirl running through a moist, tender crumb, this easy-to-make bread will fill your home with comforting scents of vanilla and spice.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Bread:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the cinnamon swirl:

1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease/flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla.
Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into the dry mix and stir until just combined.
Prepare cinnamon swirl: Mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a bowl.
Layer batter: Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mix, then repeat.
Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.