Linda loves cooking for family and friends in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She is an avid gardener who enjoys spending time in the kitchen and outdoors.
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Posted on: 01-2025
Cinnamon bread, often recognized for its comforting aroma and sweet swirls, traces its roots to ancient spice trades that introduced cinnamon to European markets. This spiced bread became a staple in many cultures, evolving into various regional recipes. Homemade cinnamon bread is perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Sliced thick or thin, it pairs excellently with a cup of coffee or tea, and is equally satisfying when enjoyed on its own.
Toast it lightly and spread a thin layer of butter on top to bring out the rich cinnamon flavor. Cinnamon bread makes wonderful French toast. This recipe is good for novice bakers and seasoned pros.
I make six loaves at a time and gave 50 this season as holiday gifts, but you can alter the size and number of loaves and adjust the baking time accordingly.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat milk just until steaming; do not boil. Remove pan from the heat, add the butter and allow it to melt off heat.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the yeast and 50 grams (1/4 cup) of the sugar with the warm water. Stir briefly and set aside.
3. Combine remaining 150 grams (3/4 cup) sugar and the salt in a large bowl. Add the warm milk and butter mixture and 2 eggs to bowl; stir. Add yeast mixture; stir.
4. Using a mixer, or by hand, add half the flour (480 grams/4 cups) and mix well. Add remaining flour flour until ready to knead.*
5. Lightly dust a work surface with flour and knead for ten minutes. Form into a ball, place in a large oiled bowl, and turn to coat the top with oil. Cover with a damp towel and put in a warm place away from drafts (oven works well). Let rise until doubled in volume, about one and a half hours.
6. Punch down and return to warm place covered with the damp towel for another one and a half hours until doubled again.
7. Place dough on a floured surface, punch down and roll out into rectangles about 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick, making as many loaves as you want. Working on one at a time, brush the top surface of each with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and raisins. Roll up and seal ends and edges.
8. Place in oiled pans, butter top lightly and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top, and let rise, covered in a warm place for another hour or so, until doubled.
9. Preheat oven to 177°C (350°F). Bake until a loaf is nicely browned and sounds hollow when tapped, 30-40 minutes for 1 or 2 loaves, about 25 minutes for 6 smaller loaves.
*This will be too much for a hand mixer after you add the rest of the flour, but will work with a heavy-duty stand mixer and dough hook.
It would be helpful to specify the number and size of bread pans as well as amount of raisins and cinnamon sugar to use. I used four 9×5 bread pans, should have used just three. This bread is so delicious and the texture is perfect. However, I didn’t put in enough raisins or cinnamon sugar.
Thank you.. I make a different number of loaves, sometimes using small pans, sometimes large ones.. I am afraid I just use as many raisins and as much cinnamon sugar as I think looks good.. I have a few friends who don’t like raisins, so eliminate them. I use a lot of cinnamon and sugar. It is a very versatile recipe.. I am so happy you tried it..
Linda is a gardener, home cook, and cat lover, born and raised in Lancaster County, PA. She has been baking cinnamon raisin bread for over 40 years, gifting as many as 70 loaves each year to friends and extended family. It is a time-consuming labor of love, but she also enjoys the pauses, waiting for the dough to rise between batches.
It would be helpful to specify the number and size of bread pans as well as amount of raisins and cinnamon sugar to use. I used four 9×5 bread pans, should have used just three. This bread is so delicious and the texture is perfect. However, I didn’t put in enough raisins or cinnamon sugar.
Thank you.. I make a different number of loaves, sometimes using small pans, sometimes large ones.. I am afraid I just use as many raisins and as much cinnamon sugar as I think looks good.. I have a few friends who don’t like raisins, so eliminate them. I use a lot of cinnamon and sugar. It is a very versatile recipe.. I am so happy you tried it..