Description
This delicious Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe offers a soft, fragrant loaf filled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, the bread is made from a simple yeast dough rolled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and baked to golden perfection, resulting in a tender crumb and a warm, inviting aroma.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Filling
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and softened butter. Pour the activated yeast mixture into the bowl and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, which helps develop the gluten structure for a perfect bread texture.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix together ground cinnamon and granulated sugar evenly to create the cinnamon-sugar filling.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface, ensuring it's evenly rolled to allow for consistent filling distribution.
- Add Filling: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the surface of the dough to ensure every bite has a tasty swirl.
- Shape Loaf: Starting from one short end, roll the dough tightly into a log, forming the classic swirl pattern inside.
- Second Rise: Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan, cover it, and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffed and nearly doubled.
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the loaf evenly.
- Bake Bread: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, with a hollow sound when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack. Slice and enjoy the warm, fragrant cinnamon swirl bread fresh.
Notes
- For an extra indulgent touch, brush melted butter over the bread immediately after baking to add richness and a shiny finish.
- If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the sugar amount in the cinnamon-sugar filling.
- Try adding raisins or chopped nuts to the cinnamon-sugar filling for extra texture and an added burst of flavor.
