Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This homemade cinnamon swirl bread is soft and tender with a thick cinnamon swirl throughout. Infused with vanilla and cinnamon, it tastes like our famous cinnamon rolls, but in bread form!

a slice of cinnamon swirl bread


This homemade cinnamon swirl bread is truly the best. It is soft with a beautiful crumb and infused with vanilla and cinnamon.

The gooey cinnamon swirl, present in every bite, will leave you wanting more. Toast it and slather it with butter (or homemade cinnamon honey butter) for a delicious breakfast. Or use it to make the best French Toast!

This cinnamon bread tastes like our famous cinnamon rolls, but it’s even easier to make. You can double or triple the recipe to make multiple loaves to give as gifts during the holidays.

4 slices of Cinnamon Swirl Bread on a cooling rack

Cinnamon Bread: Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Whole milk. 2% milk or half and half are good substitutes for whole milk.
  • Granulated sugar. white sugar or organic cane sugar work well in this recipe.
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
  • All-purpose flour. I have used bread flour with excellent results.
  • Brown sugar. light or dark brown sugar both work well in this recipe.
  • Ground cinnamon. Since cinnamon is the star of the show, make sure to use a high-quality variety.
overhead view of the ingredients in this Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Let’s walk through the process of making cinnamon bread step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Make the Cinnamon Bread Dough

Begin by proofing the yeast. Combine the warm water, 1 tsp sugar and yeast in the bowl of a standing mixer or a large bowl, and let sit until foamy (about 5 minutes).

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - proofing yeast

Once the yeast has proofed (is foamy), add the milk, sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract and stir to combine.

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - adding wet ingredients

Add 2 cups of flour, sea salt and cinnamon and stir until incorporated. Then add more flour ¼ cup at a time until a smooth but slightly tacky dough ball forms.

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - adding dry ingredients

Next, form the dough into a ball and place it into a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - forming dough

Make the Cinnamon Swirl

While the dough is rising, make the cinnamon swirl mixture. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Then melt the butter and set it aside (It will be brushed on the dough later).

Alternately, you can combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout).  Set aside.

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - making the cinnamon swirl mixture

Assemble

After the dough has doubled in size, remove it from the bowl and place on a well-floured surface.

Then, roll the dough into an 18x 9” rectangle about ¼” thick. Use your loaf pan to measure the 9” side, it needs to fit into the pan when rolled.

Next, brush the melted butter over the dough and then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top of it. Or, if you combined all 3 ingredients initially, spread that mixture evenly over the dough.

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - rolling out dough and spreading cinnamon swirl mixture on top

Next, starting at one end of the rectangle, roll the dough tightly widthwise (so the roll is 9” long not 18” long). Then transfer the dough to the prepared loaf pan seam down.

Then, cover the pan with a damp towel and let rise while you preheat the oven.

Once the oven is preheated and the dough has puffed slightly, bake the cinnamon swirl bread for 35 minutes or until the top is brown and the loaf sounds hollow when hit with a wooden spoon.

Check the bread after 20 minutes and cover with aluminum foil if the top is getting too brown.

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - in a baking pan before and after baking

Once the bread is finished baking, remove it from the oven. Cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes on a wire rack. Then, run a metal spatula or knife around the edges to release the bread from the pan, and transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.  

Let the cinnamon read cool completely before cutting and serving.

two photos showing How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread - on a cooling rack, then being cut into slices

Serve

Serve the cinnamon swirl bread warm or toasted with a pat of butter, homemade cinnamon honey butter, or apple butter. You can also use it to make this french toast recipe – yum!

Store/Freeze

Store leftover cinnamon bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can also wrap loaves in plastic wrap and put them in an airtight container (or ziplock bag) in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature.

one slice of Cinnamon Swirl Bread on a white plate

Cinnamon Bread Recipe FAQs

Does cinnamon keep yeast from rising?

It doesn’t keep it from rising at all, but it does cause it to rise a little less than other dough/breads without cinnamon. Be sure to follow the recipe, and don’t use too much cinnamon or it could prevent rising.

Why does my cinnamon bread separate?

The sugar and butter in the filling melt and leave spaces in the bread. This is normal.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double or triple this recipe to make multiple loaves, if desired.

4 slices of Cinnamon Swirl Bread on a cooling rack

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Laura
This homemade cinnamon swirl bread is soft and tender with athick cinnamon swirl throughout. Infused with vanilla and cinnamon, it tasteslike our famous cinnamonrolls, but in bread form!
5 from 11 votes
Course bread, Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Slices
Calories 252
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Rising1 hour
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Cinnamon Bread

Cinnamon Filling:

Instructions 

Make the Dough

  • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook or in a large bowl (if mixing by hand) combine warm water, 1 tsp sugar and yeast and let sit until foamy (about 5 minutes).
  • Add milk, sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract and stir to combine.
  • Add 2 cups of flour, sea salt and cinnamon and stir until incorporated. Then add more flour ¼ cup at a time until a smooth but slightly tacky dough ball forms.
  • Form the dough into a ball and place it into a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).*

Make the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture

  • While the dough is rising, make the cinnamon swirl. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Then melt the butter and set aside (It will be brushed on the dough later).
  • Alternately, you can combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout). Set aside.

Assemble

  • Line a 9×5” loaf pan with parchment paper and grease with butter. Set aside.
  • After the dough has doubled in size, remove it from the bowl and place on a well-floured surface.
  • Roll the dough into an 18x 9” rectangle about ¼” thick. Use your loaf pan to measure the 9” side, it needs to fit into the pan when rolled.
  • Brush the melted butter over the dough and then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top of it. (Or, if you combined all 3 ingredients initially, spread that mixture evenly over the dough).
  • Staring at one end of the rectangle, roll the dough tightly widthwise (so the roll is 9” long not 18” long). Then transfer the dough to the prepared loaf pan seam down.

Bake & Cool

  • Cover the pan with a damp towel and let rise while you preheat the oven.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
  • While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until the top is brown and the loaf sounds hollow when hit with a wooden spoon.
  • Check the bread after 20 minutes and cover with aluminum foil if the top is getting too brown.
  • Remove the cinnamon swirl bread from the oven. Cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes on a wire rack. Then, run a metal spatula or knife around the edges to release the bread from the pan, and transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Cool completely before cutting and serving.

Video

Notes

*To make the dough rise faster I will often place a bowl or glass measuring cup full of boiling water next to the bowl under the damp towel.
Ingredient Substitutions
  • Whole milk. 2% milk or half and half are good substitutes for whole milk.
  • Granulated sugar. white sugar or organic cane sugar work well in this recipe.
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
  • All-purpose flour. I have used bread flour with excellent results.
  • Brown sugar. light or dark brown sugar both work well in this recipe.
  • Ground cinnamon. Since cinnamon is the star of the show, make sure to use a high-quality variety.
Store/Freeze
Store leftover cinnamon bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can also wrap loaves in plastic wrap and put them in an airtight container (or ziplock bag) in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 272IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes




latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This bread is just wonderful. We could’ve finished it in one day and had to try really hard to stretch it over two or three. Gals, if you’re looking for a recipe to impress your fella, this is the one. I’d love to find a way for it to stick together better (the cinnamon swirl causes it to fall apart). I want to use it for French toast. I know it would be amazing.

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is AMAZING! I made it for my boyfriend (who doesn’t care much about food). He finished the whole loaf in a day and kept telling me how good it was and he wished there was more. Loaf #2 is in the oven as I write this! Definitely a keeper.

  3. 5 stars
    Delicious! Followed all steps and came out perfectly! Only difference is that mine did take about 40-42 minutes to finish baking. Made French toast with it this morning!

  4. 5 stars
    My family LOVED it. I’m not very domesticated & it was a challenge for me, however it was worth every minute of my time.
    “DELISH”!!!!

    1. I love the tagline – “bread for the undomesticated!” 😉 I’m so glad it worked out for you and you enjoyed it!

  5. 5 stars
    Made this bread this morning, and it was outstanding! Instructions were very clear, and it was easy to make!

      1. 5 stars
        Absolutely loved this bread. So simple and it didn’t even last a day in my house! Can you roll the dough after adding the cinnamon filling and freeze it to bake another day? If so how would you do that

  6. 5 stars
    Made quite a few cinnamon swirl bread recipes this last couple of weeks. This bread was super tasty and well received by my friends. I made a cream cheese drizzle with a touch of bourbon vanilla extract. It was delicious! It did take a long time to rise. I set it on a cup towel near the open oven door. Great recipe y’all!