Cinnamon sugar bread

There is something truly magical about the smell of Cinnamon Sugar Bread baking in the oven. It fills the house with warmth and nostalgia, promising a tender, buttery loaf with a sweet, crunchy cinnamon swirl in every slice.

Here is a detailed recipe for a classic Cinnamon Sugar Bread (sometimes called Cinnamon Swirl Bread). It’s perfect for breakfast, toast, or just snacking.

---

The Concept

This recipe creates a soft, moist vanilla bread base with a ribbon of cinnamon sugar swirled through the middle and a crunchy, buttery cinnamon sugar crust on top.

Ingredients

For the Bread

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream (makes it extra moist)

For the Cinnamon Swirl & Topping

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing on top)

---

Instructions

Part 1: Prep

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) .

2. Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray. For easy removal, you can line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the two long sides.

Part 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

1. In a small bowl, mix together the ⅓ cup sugar and 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.

Part 3: Make the Batter

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and ¾ cup sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.

4. Add Yogurt: Mix in the Greek yogurt (or sour cream) until just combined. The mixture may look a little curdled—that’s okay!

5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

Part 4: Assemble the Swirl

1. Layer the Batter: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.

2. First Cinnamon Layer: Sprinkle about ⅔ of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter in the pan.

3. Add Remaining Batter: Carefully spread the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer. It’s okay if it mixes a little—that’s part of the swirl effect!

4. Top Layer: Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar evenly over the top of the batter.

5. Create the Swirl: Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl the batter. Insert the knife and make a few figure-eight motions through the batter to create the cinnamon swirl pattern. Don’t over-swirl, or you’ll lose the distinct layers.

6. Butter Drizzle: Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of melted butter evenly over the top. This creates a delicious, slightly crunchy crust.

Part 5: Bake

1. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay, but no raw batter).

2. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. (Slicing it warm is tempting, but it will be very crumbly!)

---

Pro-Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Bread

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and yogurt are at room temperature. This ensures a smooth, evenly mixed batter.

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter once the flour is added will develop the gluten and make the bread tough. Mix until the flour just disappears.

• The Parchment Sling: Lining the pan with parchment paper with an overhang makes lifting the bread out perfectly every time.

• Make it a Loaf or Muffins: This recipe also makes about 12-15 delicious cinnamon sugar muffins. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes.

• Serving Suggestions:

  • Toasted with a pat of butter is the classic way to enjoy it.

  • Spread with cream cheese for a delicious breakfast.

  • Use it to make the most incredible French toast you’ve ever had.

---

Variation: Cinnamon Sugar Swirl with Streusel Topping

If you want to take it over the top, add a streusel!

• Streusel: In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons cold butter (cut into pieces). Use a fork or your fingers to combine until crumbly. Sprinkle this over the top of the loaf (right before baking) after you’ve drizzled the melted butter.