Pillowy Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe – Heavenly Homemade Treat

Sweet, comforting aromas of homemade cinnamon swirl bread will dance through your kitchen, filling every corner with warmth.

Crafting this fluffy cinnamon swirl bread becomes a delightful culinary adventure that promises pure satisfaction.

The secret lies in creating soft, tender layers swirled with rich, fragrant cinnamon that melt in your mouth.

Gentle kneading and precise technique ensure each slice delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

Baking this bread transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious treat that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

The golden-brown crust and delicate interior make this recipe a standout for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious novice, this cinnamon swirl bread will become your new favorite comfort food.

Rolling and Baking a Bread That Feels Like Home

• Activate the Yeast

Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Allow the mixture to become frothy and bubbly, creating a magical brewing ground for your bread.

• Create the Dough Base

Mix in the egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft, pillowy dough emerges that feels smooth and pliable under your touch.

• Knead and Rest

Work the dough on a lightly floured surface, transforming it into a silky, elastic texture. Place the dough in a greased bowl and let it rise until it doubles in size, developing deep, rich flavors.

• Shape and Fill

Roll the dough into a wide rectangle. Brush with milk, then generously scatter cinnamon and sugar across the surface, creating a sweet, aromatic layer.

• Roll and Prepare

Tightly roll the dough from the short end, forming a beautiful swirled log. Seal the seam and nestle the roll into a greased loaf pan.

• Final Rise and Bake

Let the dough puff up one last time. Slide into a preheated oven and bake until golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

• Cool and Enjoy

Remove from oven, brush with melted butter if desired. Allow to cool before slicing into this heavenly homemade treasure.

Add-Ins and Adjustments to Fit the Season

• Use a warm, draft-free spot like your oven with the light on to help dough rise faster and more evenly.
• Brush melted butter on top right after baking for a soft, golden crust that stays incredibly tender and adds rich flavor.
• Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to maintain the bread's signature soft texture.
• Prepare the dough the night before, do the first rise in the refrigerator, and bake fresh in the morning for convenient, delicious breakfast bread.

Serve It Toasted or Fresh From the Pan

• Breakfast Bliss: Slice this bread and serve warm with a dollop of creamy butter that melts into every delicious swirl.
• Morning Companion: Pair with your favorite coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast experience that feels like a warm hug.
• Dessert Transformation: Toast a slice and top with vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce for an indulgent after-dinner treat.
• Gifting Delight: Wrap in parchment paper with a rustic twine bow for a homemade gift that will make friends and family smile.

Keep It Moist and Magical for Days

• Wrap the cooled cinnamon swirl bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring the bread stays fresh and soft.
• Slice the bread before freezing for easy portioning. Place individual slices or the whole loaf in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for future breakfast treats or quick snacks.
• Keep the bread at room temperature in an airtight container or bread box for 23 days. Avoid direct sunlight and humidity to prevent staleness and maintain its delightful texture.
• Revive refrigerated or frozen slices by toasting lightly or warming in the oven at 300F for 57 minutes. Brush with a little butter for extra richness and that freshly baked taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 12

Everything You Need for Cinnamon Swirl Bread

• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and creates soft, tender bread texture with rich flavor.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential living organism that helps bread rise and develop complex flavor profile.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to enhance bread's overall taste.
• Large Egg: Provides structure, moisture, and richness to bread dough.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, tenderness, and helps create a soft crumb.
• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of bread, creating structure and providing smooth, elastic texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast fermentation for balanced bread development.

• Ground Cinnamon, Granulated Sugar: Creates classic sweet-spicy swirl with warm, aromatic flavor throughout bread.

• Milk: Used for brushing dough to help cinnamon sugar adhere and create golden surface.
• Melted Butter: Optional final touch for glossy, rich appearance and additional flavor.

Tools That Help You Get That Signature Swirl

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and preparing dough.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending milk, yeast, and sugar smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient portions.
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional): Makes kneading easier and faster.
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Helps cover dough during rising.
• Rolling pin: Needed to create rectangular dough shape.
• Small bowl: Use for mixing cinnamon and sugar.
• Pastry brush: Great for applying milk on dough surface.
• 9×5-inch loaf pan: Provides perfect bread shape while baking.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows bread to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Foil: Useful for tenting bread during baking to prevent over-browning.

Fluffy Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Warm kitchen aromas dance with delightful homemade cinnamon swirl bread, promising comfort in every slice. Sweet spirals of spice wind through tender crumb, inviting hungry souls to savor pure baking magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
• 1 cup warm milk (110F/43C)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup sugar (granulated)
• ⅓ cup sugar (granulated)
• 2 ¼ tsps instant yeast (1 standard packet)
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ tbsps ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp milk (for brushing dough)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing baked bread)

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Whisk warm milk, yeast, and sugar until foamy, allowing mixture to develop for 5 minutes and create a bubbly base.
2. Create Dough Foundation: Incorporate egg, melted butter, and salt into yeast mixture, gradually folding in flour until a smooth, pliable dough emerges.
3. Develop Dough Texture: Knead dough on floured surface for 6-8 minutes, ensuring a soft, elastic consistency that springs back when touched.
4. First Proofing Stage: Transfer dough to greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm environment until volume doubles, approximately 1-2 hours.
5. Prepare Cinnamon Filling: Combine ground cinnamon and granulated sugar, creating a fragrant, sweet mixture for interior layering.
6. Shape and Fill Bread: Roll dough into rectangular shape, delicately brush with milk, then generously distribute cinnamon-sugar mixture across surface.
7. Form Bread Log: Roll dough tightly from shorter edge, creating a compact cylinder, and carefully seal seam to preserve filling.
8. Final Proofing and Preparation: Place rolled dough in greased loaf pan, allowing second rise until puffy, roughly 45 minutes.
9. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 350°F, bake bread for 35-40 minutes, covering with foil midway to prevent excessive browning.
10. Cooling and Finishing: Remove from oven, optional butter glaze, rest in pan briefly, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling before slicing.

Notes

• Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to properly activate yeast without killing it; lukewarm temperature helps yeast bloom correctly.
• Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly; soft dough should spring back when gently pressed, indicating proper development.
• Place dough in warm, draft-free area around 75-80°F for optimal rising; consistent temperature promotes even fermentation.
• Cover dough with damp cloth during rising to maintain moisture and prevent skin formation on bread’s surface.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg