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Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Aug 14, 2022 · 19 Comments

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Collage with cinnamon swirl bread getting butter smeared on it on top, a close up of the full loaf on bottom, and the words "cinnamon swirl bread" in the center

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread is a yeast-raised bread featuring soft white bread with beautiful swirls of sweet cinnamon-sugar. Slice into soft warm bread with your morning coffee or whip up some epic French toast with it.

Loaf of cinnamon swirl bread with a slice cut off sitting on a white marble counter with a striped linen

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

This Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread is a soft, white bread with cinnamon-spiced swirls. Slicing into it and slathering butter on is a little bit like heaven.

Cinnamon swirl bread is a little bit like cinnamon rolls, but not quite as rich. It has that spicy cinnamon smell mingling, of course, with the smell of freshly baked bread, with just the right amount of sweetness that we don't have to call it cake.

What makes this cinnamon swirl bread the BEST? Well, I hate when it falls apart or gaps, and this one won't! It stays together and the swirls stick to the bread, so no gaps.

Now if you're one of those people (like me!) who likes to unravel the bread and eat it in a spiral strip, this bread is still for you. You can totally do it yourself still, but the bread won't do it unless you want it to!

This cinnamon swirl bread is a family favorite, and I know it will become your new family favorite too!

Instant Yeast vs. Active Dry Yeast

Active Dry Yeast is a dry yeast that needs to be activated prior to use (with methods such as warm milk or water with sugar).

Instant Yeast is any dry yeast that is ready to use the instant you open the package. No activation required. To use instant yeast instead of active, simply add the yeast directly to the dough mixture (like after step 2 of this recipe) instead of dissolving in warm liquid.

Why Do the Ingredients Need to be Warm?

Yeast activates at about 100ยฐF-115ยฐF, so to activate the yeast and have the best, fluffiest, softest bread, it's important to bring the water and milk to that temperature.

This is probably easiest in a saucepan with a candy thermometer attached to the pot. It doesn't take long, so watch closely.

Slice of homemade cinnamon swirl bread sitting next to the full loaf

Why Does Cinnamon Swirl Bread Separate?

The most common reasons for separating and gapping in cinnamon swirl bread is

  1. Rolling too loosely.
  2. Not having a binder between the cinnamon-sugar mixture and the bread.

But don't worry! This recipe covers those problems!

How to Keep Cinnamon Swirl Bread from Gapping

In this recipe, we egg wash the bread dough before adding the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The egg acts as a binder that keeps the bread from gapping, separating, or falling apart!

AND we also add a little bit of flour to the cinnamon sugar mixture that the egg can bind to. With these two ingredients binding for dear life, you'll have perfectly swirled cinnamon swirl bread without gaps or separating.

Can I Add Raisins to My Cinnamon Swirl Bread?

Yes. Sprinkle about โ…“ cup on each loaf after adding the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

2 slices of warm toasted cinnamon swirl bread with a knife slathering butter on them sitting on a small white plate

How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Cinnamon swirl bread is delicious when served toasted.

Try slathering it in butter, honey (or this honey cinnamon butter), or cream cheese (or a flavored cream cheese like cinnamon, pecan, or blueberry).

It also makes excellent French toast and French toast casseroles.

More Bread Recipes You'll Love

  • Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Loaf - a cinnamon swirl quick bread with no yeast required.
  • Southern Buttermilk Biscuits - super fluffy, mile-high biscuits with a soft buttery flavor.
  • Southern Skillet Cornbread - easy classic cornbread recipe made in a cast-iron skillet.
  • Cheddar Bay Biscuits - garlic cheddar quick-bread drop biscuits. So easy to make, and there are never any leftovers.
  • Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Topping - classic pumpkin bread with a crunchy cinnamon-oat topping.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread Video

2 slices of warm toasted cinnamon swirl bread with a knife slathering butter on them sitting on a small white plate

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread is a yeast-raised bread featuring soft white bread with beautiful swirls of sweet cinnamon-sugar. Slice into soft warm bread with your morning coffee or whip up some epic French toast with it.
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Rising Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 32 slices (2 loaves)
Calories: 137kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 2 packages active dry yeast (0.25 ounces each)
  • โ…“ cup warm water (110-115ยฐF)
  • 1 cup warm milk (110-115ยฐF)
  • ยฝ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1ยฝ teaspoons salt
  • 5ยฝ to 6ยฝ cups all purpose flour

For the Filling

  • ยฝ cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
  • Add milk, sugar, eggs, butter, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth.ย 
  • Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  • Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes.ย 
  • Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Mix cinnamon, sugar, and flour in a separate small mixing bowl. In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together egg and water. Set aside.
  • Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Roll each portion into an 18x8-inch rectangle.
  • Brush each rectangle with the beaten egg mixture.
  • Sprinkle each rectangle with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture to within ยฝ in. of edges.ย 
  • Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Pinch seam to seal.ย 
  • Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans, seam side down.
  • Cover with kitchen towels, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-ยฝ hours.ย 
  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Notes

Recipe makes 2 loaves. Each loaf is about 16 pieces (32 pieces all together).
  • Storage: Store bread in a plastic bag at room temperature (or in refrigerator) for up to 5 days. You can also slice and freeze the bread for toast.
  • Freezer Directions: You can slice the bread and freeze it in slices or freeze a whole loaf. Just make sure it's wrapped well to avoid freezer burn. You can thaw by letting sit at room temperature or toasting it in the toaster.
ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
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Breads & Grains, Breakfast, Recipes Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tayler Ross says

    August 15, 2022 at 11:34 am

    I made this bread this morning and OMG was it delicious! The swirl is perfect and it tastes amazing!

    Reply
  2. Kelley says

    August 15, 2022 at 11:34 am

    This was so easy to make and so impressive! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  3. dana says

    August 15, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    My kiddo loves this bread! Has been eating it for breakfast every day since I made it. I think I'll be making it again VERY soon ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  4. Mirlene says

    August 15, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    Loved this cinnamon bread! Tastes so delicious and its a good way to have a sweet treat any time of the day.

    Reply
  5. Aimee Mars says

    August 15, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    Pairing this with my coffee has made the back to school early mornings a little sweeter. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Jere Cassidy says

    October 06, 2022 at 11:03 am

    This was interesting you used an egg wash and not butter on the dough, but it works great and I had a beautiful roll.

    Reply
  7. Claudia Lamascolo says

    October 06, 2022 at 11:03 am

    Perfect and easy fall breads are pure comfort food we loved it and will make it again!

    Reply
  8. Chenรฉe says

    October 06, 2022 at 11:28 am

    Cinnamon swirl bread has always been one of my favorite breakfast treats, so I'm so glad I found this recipe so I can make it myself!

    Reply
  9. Claire says

    October 06, 2022 at 11:29 am

    These are so lovely and utterly delicious, a perfect treat with my morning coffee - I'll definitely be making this again!

    Reply
  10. Gina Abernathy says

    October 06, 2022 at 11:39 am

    This was so easy to make and so delicious! I love homemade bread. The cinnamon and sugar was a delightful addition.

    Reply
  11. Toni says

    October 30, 2022 at 7:40 am

    I love this bread!! Beautiful and tastes really amazing!!

    Reply
  12. Jen says

    October 30, 2022 at 7:50 am

    Such a beautiful and delicious bread! Thanks for this easy to follow recipe!

    Reply
  13. Tara says

    October 30, 2022 at 8:21 am

    Oh yum! I love that swirl of cinnamon through the bread. It looks so good. Such a delicious homemade bread.

    Reply
  14. Michaela says

    October 30, 2022 at 10:39 am

    This homemade cinnamon swirl bread looks so light, fluffy and fabulous! It is perfect for breakfast or even a snack.

    Reply
  15. dana says

    July 03, 2023 at 8:41 am

    Surprisingly easy to make! This turned our wonderfully. Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Kathleen says

    July 03, 2023 at 9:28 am

    I'm really glad this makes 2 loaves because that first loaf isn't going to last more than an hour in my house.

    Reply
  17. Whitney says

    July 03, 2023 at 9:55 am

    I am not sure my swirl will turn out as perfect as this but thank you for including the tips!

    Reply
  18. Suja md says

    July 03, 2023 at 10:27 am

    Every bite does indeed look amazing! All of the flavors are incredible.

    Reply
  19. Beth says

    July 03, 2023 at 1:51 pm

    This bread is absolutely delicious. I made it this past Saturday and it was fantastic with just some butter. Then, I toasted it to go with breakfast on Sunday. Now I have to make more!

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Michelle!
I'm a comfort food lover and self-taught cook with five amazing kids and a firefighter husband, surviving mostly on coffee. I love to create easy and delicious family recipes, and share creative family tips I've learned along the way.
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