Indulge in the comfort of freshly baked Cinnamon Bread, a delightful treat that feels like a warm hug from the inside! With its soft, pillowy texture and rich, sweet cinnamon filling, this bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a cozy afternoon snack. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with butter, every bite is a sweet embrace of cinnamon goodness that will fill your home with irresistible aromas.
Ingredients:
For the Bread:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. You may need to adjust the flour based on humidity.
- Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Make the Cinnamon Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Roll and Fill:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out into a rectangle (approximately 18×12 inches) on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the softened butter over the dough, then evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
- Shape the Bread:
- Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Place the rolled dough seam-side down and slice it into 12 equal pieces. Arrange the pieces in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise:
- Cover the loaf pan with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes until the dough rises slightly above the pan.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. If the top is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
- Cool and Glaze:
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Drizzle over the cooled bread for added sweetness.
- Enjoy:
- Slice the bread and serve it warm or toasted, enjoying the warm embrace of cinnamon in every bite!