Description

There’s nothing better than the aroma of fresh Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread baking in the oven! This soft, fluffy bread is filled with a warm, buttery cinnamon-sugar swirl, making it perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even French toast. It’s surprisingly easy to make and well worth the effort!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon

For the Egg Wash (Optional):

1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk (for a golden crust)

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Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
Add the melted butter, egg, and activated yeast mixture.
Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. (If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook on low speed for about 5 minutes.)
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.

Step 4: Roll & Fill the Dough

After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a 9×15-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
Tightly roll the dough from the short end into a log, sealing the seam by pinching it.

Step 5: Second Rise & Bake

Place the rolled dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan, seam-side down. Cover and let it rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
(Optional) Brush the top with egg wash for a golden crust.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Step 6: Cool & Enjoy!

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice and serve with butter, honey, or cream cheese!

Notes

Use Warm Milk – Too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it.
Roll Tightly – Prevents gaps in the swirl while baking.
Don’t Overfill with Cinnamon – Too much filling can cause the layers to separate.
Check for Doneness – If the bread is browning too quickly, tent it with foil for the last 10 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cuisine: American