Here’s a delicious breakfast bread recipe that combines sweetness, a soft texture, and a hint of warmth from cinnamon. It’s the perfect treat to start your morning with a cup of coffee or tea! This recipe makes a soft, fluffy Cinnamon Swirl Breakfast Bread that will fill your kitchen with amazing smells as it bakes.
Cinnamon Swirl Breakfast Bread
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk (to reach desired glaze consistency)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture to the flour. Stir to combine and form a dough.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough for about 4-5 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble the Bread:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle, about 12×9 inches in size.
- Spread the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Carefully roll the dough up into a tight log, starting from the long edge. Pinch the seams together to seal.
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and place the rolled dough inside, seam side down.
- Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let it rise for 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the rim of the pan.
- Bake the Bread:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the dough has risen, bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze the Bread (Optional):
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cooled bread.
- Serve:
- Slice and enjoy the warm, soft, and sweet cinnamon swirl bread! It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack.
This bread is incredibly soft with a delicious cinnamon swirl and a hint of sweetness from the glaze. It’s a wonderful choice to make ahead for the week or bake fresh for a weekend breakfast treat. You can even add nuts, raisins, or even a bit of orange zest to the dough for an extra twist! Enjoy!