Homemade cinnamon bread is soft and buttery with a sweet swirl of the gooiest cinnamon sugar in every slice. My recipe is topped with more cinnamon and a thick blanket of buttery vanilla glaze to make it extra special.
Be sure to read to the end where I share how to get your bread to rise into the big, soft billowy loaves you love.
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Let's face it, most bread recipes have the same basic ingredients - I don't think any of these will be a surprise.
- Active dry yeast helps the bread to rise. If you want to use rapid rise you can - just add it to the flour instead of proofing it first.
- Powdered ginger wakes the yeast up and gets it moving. I learned this trick from a cookbook that had been published in the 1800s.
- Sugar gives the yeast something to feed on and is also used in the filling.
- Buttermilk adds an acid that makes the bread soft and light. You'll see that I use it a lot in my bread baking. I've added a note for how to substitute regular milk for the buttermilk.
- Vanilla isn't usually in bread but I add it because it gives the cinnamon bread a sweeter flavor. You can omit it if you like.
- Kosher salt is what I use. If you are using table salt use about ¼ less than the recipe calls for.
- Bread flour is higher in protein that all-purpose flour and the bread rises better and has a nicer crust. You can substitute all-purpose flour but your results may be a little different.
- Baking soda reacts with the acid in the buttermilk to add a little more lift to the rise on this bread. It also helps it from being too tangy. Don't use too much - just a scant ¾ teaspoon. If in doubt use just a ½ teaspoon.
- Butter adds flavor and richness to bread plus it's used to "glue" the filling to the dough before baking AND in the glaze. You can never have too much butter.
- Cinnamon is necessary because it's cinnamon bread! Did you know there are a variety of different kinds of cinnamon that all have different spice levels and cinnamon-y-ness? I use Vietnamese cinnamon but whatever you normally use is fine.
- Confectioner's sugar is used for the glaze. You can omit it if you want.
Why this is better than cinnamon rolls!
I love a good cinnamon roll (especially buttermilk cinnamon rolls!) as much as anyone but...
I have to say that a thickly sliced piece of cinnamon bread, toasted until it's hot with just a little crunch, and then slathered with a copious amount of drippy yellow butter makes me go weak in the knees.
The sweet spiciness, the crunch, the buttery ooze? I don't know -- I just know that I am an addict. Totally can't resist the stuff.
What do you think? Are you team cinnamon bread or team cinnamon roll? Let me know in the comments!
Tips
This is a simple yeast bread - it looks much more difficult than it actually is.
If you've never worked with yeast dough before I suggest reading my complete guide to working with yeast doughs before you start this recipe. It has a ton of information that will make you an experienced baker in no time!
- If you'd like to add raisins to this recipe you can knead ½ cup or so of raisins right into the dough. If you prefer them to be in the cinnamon swirl just sprinkle them on top of the sugar mixture before rolling up the loaf.
- Substitute brown sugar for the white sugar in the filling for a sweeter flavor.
- This is a very similar dough to my "never fail Buttermilk bread recipe". If you follow the instructions it will work - period.
- It's important to roll the bread tightly when you are shaping the loaf. If you roll it too loosely it will separate as you slice it - it'll still be good, though.
- Sometimes the bread and the swirl separate just because life happens. Don't worry about it - it's still delicious and, look at you, you've created bread!
- You can mix an egg yolk and a teaspoon of water and brush it lightly on the dough before adding the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Sometimes that helps the layers stick together better.
- If the crust seems to be browning too fast cover it lightly with aluminum foil.
- You can also make cinnamon rolls out of this recipe, just follow the instructions until you've rolled the dough and cinnamon up. Then cut the loaf into about 8 slices horizontally, let rise, and bake them for about 15 minutes.
FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. If you don't find the answer to yours here leave a comment below or email me - I'll get back to you as soon as I can!
Do you have to use buttermilk?
It's not hard to find a cinnamon yeast bread recipe on the Internet. There are plenty of them and they are good but when you add buttermilk the texture of the crumb becomes pillowy soft and it just takes the cinnamon swirl bread right over the top. Really, you have to try this!
But if you really need to use regular milk just omit the baking soda and substitute the milk in equal measure for the buttermilk.
What is the best cinnamon?
I really like Vietnamese cinnamon but if you can find Korintje it is really deliciously flavorful.
Can I freeze it?
Yep! Don't glaze it, though. Let it cool to room temperature then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. I like to slice it before freezing and add parchment paper between the slices to keep them from sticking together. That way when I want a slice of toast I don't have to thaw the entire loaf.
Related recipes
Once you start making this cinnamon bread you'll be hooked! I love, love, love making bread. Here are some of my family's favorite recipes.
- Basic white bread is perfect for beginning bakers. It's simple, with step by step images, and comes out light and fluffy!
- Sometimes you just need big, fluffy, homemade cinnamon rolls!
- Yeast donuts are easier to make that you might think and they're good with powdered sugar, sugar, glazed, or cinnamon topping!
Equipment
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How to get bread to rise
The one thing that gives people the most trouble is getting bread to rise properly. Usually it's something simple. Here are my favorite ways to get those big, puffly loaves -
- Make sure the dough is in a warm spot (at lest 75F) with no drafts.
- You can put it in a cold oven with a bowl of boiling water on the rack beneath it and leave the light on.
- Check out one of these ingredients that will help your bread rise, too.
Get ready to wow your family! This bread is so good! It makes any day a special one.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Cinnamon Bread
Print Add to Collection Pin RecipeEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 2 packages active dry yeast, I usually use 2 tablespoons because I buy in bulk
- Pinch of powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup warm water, (110F)
- 2 cups warm buttermilk, (110F)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 6 cups white bread flour, divided use
- ¼ cup butter, melted and cooled so that it is warm to the touch but not hot.
- ½ cup raisins, optional - more or less - see notes below
Filling
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon, more or less, to taste. I like A LOT of cinnamon!
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Cream , as needed for consistency
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl mix the yeast, ginger, sugar, and warm water.
- Set aside for 5 minutes or until foamy.
- Whisk the buttermilk, vanilla, ½ cup sugar, salt, and baking soda together and add it to the yeast mixture.
- Add three cups of flour and mix until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes on low of a stand mixer.
- Pour in the lukewarm butter until it is totally mixed into the batter.
- Add the rest of the flour, one cup at a time, keeping mixer on low speed.
- When dough pulls from the sides of the bowl remove it from the mixer to a lightly floured surface. Knead until elastic and smooth.
- You can also knead in your mixer according to manufacturer's directions.
- Place in greased bowl, turn to grease the top, and cover with a clean tea towel.
- Allow the dough to rise for 1 ½ hours, or until double.
- Punch down.
- Divide into two equal sized balls.
- Roll each out into a 8-inch wide rectangle about 10 inches long.
- Brush each with the ¼ cup melted butter.
- Mix the ½ cup sugar and the cinnamon together until evenly colored.
- Spread over the dough rectangles, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the mixture.
- Roll each loaf tightly and place into greased loaf pans.
- Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with the reserved cinnamon mixture.
- Cover loosely with a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 45 minutes, or until it is just about the tops of the bread pans.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Bake for 30 minutes. You can cover the tops with foil if they brown too fast.
- Remove loaves from oven.
- Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes.
- Gently run a knife around the edge between the bread and the pan to loosen it.
- Turn out and top with the glaze.
- Cool completely on a rack.
- Cover the loaves as they cool if you want soft crusts.
Glaze
- Mix the confectioners sugar, melted butter and vanilla until smooth.
- Add a little cream or milk to thin it if needed.
Notes
- If you'd like to add raisins to this recipe you can knead ½ cup or so of raisins right into the dough. If you prefer them to be in the cinnamon swirl just sprinkle them on top of the sugar mixture before rolling up the loaf.
- Dried cranberries are delicious in place of the raisins above.
- This is the same basic dough as my "never fail Buttermilk bread recipe". If you follow the instructions it will work - period.
- It's important to roll the bread tightly when you are shaping the loaf. If you roll it too loosely it will separate as you slice it - it'll still be good, though.
- Substitute brown sugar for the white sugar in the filling for a sweeter flavor.
- Sometimes the bread and the swirl separate just because life happens. Don't worry about it - it's still delicious and, look at you, you've created bread!
- You can mix an egg yolk and a teaspoon of water and brush it lightly on the dough before adding the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Sometimes that helps the layers stick together better.
- If the crust seems to be browning too fast cover it lightly with aluminum foil.
- You can also make cinnamon rolls out of this recipe, just follow the instructions until you've rolled the dough and cinnamon up. Then cut the loaf into about 8 slices horizontally, let rise, and bake them for about 15 minutes.
Wendy Wismer
This is a lovely recipe and I always double it to share! I wanted to ask if it is possible to freeze or hold part of the uncooked dough in the fridge to bake at a later time. Thanks!
Marye
You can easily freeze the dough after the first rising but before shaping. 🙂
TIM k
Much enjoyed. Next time I will roll out thinner. Otherwise, spot on. Thankd
Marye
Thanks for letting me know!
Judy Klos
I've baked many loaves of cinnamon bread and I have to say, this is the BEST ever! The buttermilk definitely makes an absolutely delicious cinnamon bread. Along with other baking ingredients, I always make sure I have fresh buttermilk in my refrigerator so I can bake up a couple of loaves of this cinnamon bread to gift to friends and family. Thanks for a GREAT recipe!
Marye
Awww I am SO glad you liked it, Judy!
Camila Odom
Bread is so easy and delicious! I did the milk + lemon juice trick to make the buttermilk and it came out perfectly
Marye
So glad you liked it, Camila!
Catherine Schockow
I believe oven temp too high - 375-350 worked much better.
Marye
It's always good to adjust recipes to work with your individual oven!
Sharon tisor
Hi I made this bread and it was turning out so nice but I only had it in the oven for 15 minutes and it got very brown on the top so I covered it with tin foil but at the end of 30 minutes it was very brown almost burned Is there and reason for this and if I do it again can I cover it with tin foil as soon as it goes in the oven Thank you
Marye Audet
Try turning your oven temp down 25 degrees and cover with foil after the first few minutes.
Marianne Kenney
What happens to the other 1/2 cup of sugar for bread? There's 1 teaspoon in with yeast & 1/2 cup with buttermilk, etc. Then Filling has another listing of 1/2 cup for a grand total of 1 1/2 cups and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Marye Audet
It was a typo. I've fixed it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Marianne Kenney
Oh thank you so much, Marye! I tried it with the full cup of sugar in the dough and ....it didn't turn out very well. But everyone LOVED the flavor of it!, I have been begged til I tried it again! So that's what my Sunday will be!
Maria
Hi,
I made the cinnamon loaves. I used cake flour, would that be
The reason for the final kneading to be very soft, not really manageable.
Thank you,
Maris
Marye Audet
Yes. Cake flour has a very low gluten content so it does not work with bread. You need all purpose flour or bread flour. 🙂
Megan - The Emotional Baker
I haven't made cinnamon bread in forever! I love this version and hope to try it soon 🙂
Marye Audet
Let me know what you think of it!