Description
This Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread is soft, fluffy, and packed with gooey cinnamon sugar in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy treat, this bakery-style loaf is surprisingly easy to make at home. Includes pro tips, variations, and make-ahead options.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
½ cup (120ml) warm water (about 110°F)
½ cup (120ml) warm whole milk (about 110°F)
2¼ teaspoons (7g) instant or active dry yeast
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar, divided
4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups (390g) bread flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon salt
For the Swirl:
1 egg white, beaten
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Topping:
1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Activate Yeast: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk warm water, warm milk, yeast, and 2 tbsp sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.
Mix Dough: Add remaining sugar, butter, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Mix, then add remaining flour until dough pulls from the bowl. Adjust flour as needed for a soft, tacky dough.
Knead: Knead dough in the mixer or by hand for 8–10 minutes until elastic and smooth.
First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1.5–2 hours or until doubled.
Make Swirl: Mix cinnamon and sugar. Roll dough into an 8×20-inch rectangle. Brush with egg white and sprinkle cinnamon sugar, leaving a 1-inch border.
Shape & Second Rise: Roll into a log, place seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
Bake: Brush loaf with melted butter. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 35–45 minutes. Tent with foil if top browns too fast. Bread is done at 195–200°F.
Cool: Cool in pan for a few minutes, then on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Overnight Option: Let the dough rise overnight in the fridge after kneading. Bring to room temperature before shaping.
Add-Ins: Add ¾ cup raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips to the cinnamon sugar.
Freezing: Freeze baked bread or unbaked dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg