The Coziest Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread (Soft, Sweet & Simple)

Is there any aroma more welcoming than warm cinnamon and freshly baked bread filling your kitchen? I don’t think so. For years, I chased that perfect bakery-style loaf soft, fluffy, with a tight, buttery cinnamon swirl in every single slice. After countless attempts, some too dense and others with a sad, gappy swirl, I finally perfected this Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a promise of success. The dough is wonderfully soft and forgiving, the filling is rich without being overly sweet, and the technique is simple enough for even a first-time bread baker. Get ready to bake a loaf that will make your home smell incredible and your family incredibly happy.

Quick Recipe

• Preparation Time: 2H45M
• Cooking Time: 35M
• Total Time: 3H20M
• Type of dish: Breakfast, Snack, Sweet Bread
• Cuisine: American
• Recipe Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 12 slices)
• Calories: 215 kcal per slice (estimated)

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Baking bread from scratch can feel intimidating, but I want you to think of it as a relaxing and rewarding process. This particular homemade bread recipe is one I’ve shared with countless friends who now bake it on repeat. The secret is in the details. We use a gentle amount of yeast for a steady, flavorful rise. The dough is enriched with milk, egg, and butter, which gives it that pillowy texture we all crave. And the cinnamon sugar filling? It’s more than just sugar and spice; a little bit of flour helps it stay put, creating that picture-perfect swirl.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I always recommend gathering all your ingredients before you start. This little habit, called mise en place, prevents any last-minute scrambling.

For the Soft Bread Dough:

• 1 cup (240ml) Whole Milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) Instant Yeast (one standard packet)
• ¼ cup (50g) Granulated Sugar
• 1 large Egg, at room temperature
• ¼ cup (57g) Unsalted Butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 3 cups (360g) All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon Salt

For the Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

• ¼ cup (50g) Brown Sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature

Essential Tools for Bread Making

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment for this recipe. Here are the basics that will make the process smooth and simple:

• Stand Mixer (with dough hook attachment) or a Large Mixing Bowl
• 9×5 inch Loaf Pan
• Rolling Pin
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Small Bowl (for the filling)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Follow these steps closely, and you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular loaf. I’ve included my best tips along the way!

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• First things first, let’s wake up our yeast. In the bowl of your stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, instant yeast, and one tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Give it a gentle whisk.
• Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it becomes frothy and bubbly. This step, called “blooming,” is proof that your yeast is alive and active. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be old or your milk was too hot, and it’s best to start over.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

• Once the yeast is bubbly, add the remaining granulated sugar, the room-temperature egg, and the melted butter to the bowl. Mix on low speed (or with a wooden spoon) until just combined.
• Add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook and mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 3: Knead to Perfection

• Now for the fun part! Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and let it knead the dough for 7-8 minutes. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10-12 minutes.
• The goal is a dough that is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but doesn’t stick to your hands. A great way to check is the “windowpane test.” Pinch off a small piece of dough and gently stretch it between your fingers. If you can stretch it thin enough to see light through it without it tearing, the gluten is perfectly developed.

Step 4: The First Rise

• Lightly oil a clean, large bowl. Form your dough into a ball and place it inside, turning it once to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel.
• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. A turned-off oven with the light on is a perfect cozy spot for this.

Step 5: Create the Famous Swirl

• While the dough is rising, prepare your cinnamon sugar filling. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and the tablespoon of flour. That tiny bit of flour is my secret trick—it helps absorb the melting butter and prevents a gap from forming inside your loaf!
• Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle approximately 10×14 inches. Spread the 2 tablespoons of softened butter all over the surface, leaving a small ½-inch border along one of the long edges. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter.

• Starting from the long edge without the border, roll the dough up into a tight log. Pinch the seam firmly to seal it, and pinch the ends closed as well. Place the log, seam-side down, into your greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.

Step 6: The Second Rise

Cover the loaf pan loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise again in a warm place for 45-60 minutes. The dough should rise to about 1 inch above the rim of the pan. About 20 minutes before it’s done rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 7: Bake to Golden Brown

• Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes. It should be a beautiful golden brown on top and sound hollow when you tap it. If you have an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should be around 190°F (88°C).
• Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Please, I know it’s hard, but wait until it’s fully cool before slicing! Slicing into hot bread can make the inside gummy.

A Recipe Worth Savoring

This Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread is more than just food; it’s an experience. It’s the perfect companion to your morning coffee, a delightful afternoon snack, and the foundation for the most incredible French toast you’ve ever had. Baking this loaf will fill your home with warmth and your heart with pride. I can’t wait for you to try it and create your own delicious memories. Happy baking!

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