Easy Homemade Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Homemade bread is already a winner in my house. Turning this recipe into a homemade cinnamon bread recipe brings this bread to the next level and is definitely a family favorite. The smell of the cinnamon sugar mixture, as it’s baking, will have everyone in the house waiting for a piece. 

Ingredients Needed:

Warm Water (between 105 and 115 degrees F).
Sugar (Optional). If you are using instant yeast, sugar is not required.  I still use it to help the proofing process, as the yeast feeds off the sugar. 
Salt. Table salt is best when baking bread because it dissolves quicker. However, there have been plenty of times I have used kosher salt, and I have never noticed a difference. Regardless of the type of salt used, do not skip this ingredient! Not only does salt give food flavor, but salt is a key component in the process of making bread. It helps the bread keep shape when formed and is also involved in giving the crust a pretty golden brown color. 
Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Adding EVOO helps keep the dough hydrated, which gives you a softer crust, and the EVOO also increases the flavor.
All Purpose Flour. I use King Arthur All Purpose flour, but have also used King Arthur Bread Flour, and have wonderful results with both. 
Egg. One egg at room temperature, as the egg will need to be brushed on the dough, and it goes on easier if it is at room temperature. 
Sugar. White sugar for making the most delicious cinnamon sugar mixture!
Cinnamon. The cinnamon will be mixed in with the white sugar. 

Equipment Needed:

Kitchen Scale
Stand Mixer
Bread Machine
Large Bowl
Bread Loaf
Pastry Brush

Substitutions:

Honey. During the proofing process, add 1 tablespoon of honey instead of white table sugar. 
Bread Flour. Bread flour contains more protein than all-purpose flour. Both will work great for this recipe. 
Butter. Substitute butter instead of extra virgin olive oil. 
Active Dry Yeast. If you are substituting active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, sugar will need to be used in the proofing process. 
Brown Sugar. This could be used in place of the white sugar. 

Pro Tips:

Warm the mixing bowl you are using to proof your yeast. 
Place your bread in the fridge to extend shelf life. 
Place your yeast in the freezer to extend the shelf life. 

Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Cinnamon Bread Recipe

There are so many reasons you’ll love this recipe. First, the dough recipe is simple and easy to put together, and it doesn’t take all day to make. This recipe makes the BEST french toast. Better yet, make a baked french toast casserole topped with a brown sugar and butter mixture. This recipe would be perfect for a large crowd, and would be ready to bake in the morning, which is always a huge bonus. There are so many recipes that can be made from this one loaf of bread, which makes this recipe so much fun. 

How to Start Your Easy Cinnamon Bread Recipe

The first step in making this bread is to place warm water in your mixing bowl. The warm water will help with the proofing process, however, this is optional. Next, add water that is between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the instant yeast and sugar. I then use a whisk, to mix the ingredients, just enough to be combined. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, until frothy on top. If your yeast mixture doesn’t get frothy, the yeast is more than likely old, and you will need fresh yeast. 

Next, using a kitchen scale, add salt, extra virgin olive oil, and flour. Using your kitchen aid with the dough hook attachment, slowly start incorporating the ingredients, eventually kneading on medium speed for 6-8 minutes, ensuring the ingredients on the sides of the bowl are all mixed in. Alternatively, if you do not have a KitchenAid, you can knead by hand on a floured surface, or you can even knead the dough in a large mixing bowl, so keep the counter from getting so messy. Cover the dough mixture with a kitchen towel, or plastic wrap, and allow to rise until doubled in size in a warm place. The rise time can differ depending on the warmth in your house, but the first rise typically takes around an hour. After the first rise, punch the dough down, and add to a flour surface.

How to Add the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture to Your Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Start by whisking up one room-temperature egg. In a separate bowl, add the white sugar, cinnamon, and flour together. Stir until combined.

Roll the dough out to an eight-by-sixteen rectangle, pushing out air bubbles as you roll the dough out.

Using a pastry brush, dip the brush into the egg, and wipe the egg over the entire surface of the dough.

Last, add the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. I start by adding the sugar mixture around the edges of the dough and then fill in the remaining space.

Before rolling the dough, grease up a bread loaf pan and set it to the side. To roll the dough, roll one end towards the next, trying to keep the dough tight. Pinch the edges tight, and place in the greased bread loaf pan. I typically use cooking spray to grease the bread pan, but butter with flour sprinkled over would also work.

Cover with a kitchen towel, and allow to rise for about 45 minutes, or until the dough is a few inches past the top of the loaf pan. 

How to Bake Your Easy Homemade Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Place the bread dough in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then, cover the bread with aluminum foil, and bake for another 20 minutes.

Take the bread out, using a paper towel with a little butter on it, and wipe the butter over the top of the bread. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. 

How To Store

This bread will not last very long in your house, but to store it, place it in a 2-gallon zip lock bag, and place it either on the countertop or in the fridge. You may also place the bread in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Additionally, this bread can be placed in the freezer, and taken out when you are ready to eat it!

Easy Homemade Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

Prep Time:2 hours hrs

Cook Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 c water between 105 and 110℉
• 2 tbls sugar optional if using instant yeast
• 1 tbsp instant yeast
• 8 g salt
• 25 g extra virgin olive oil
• 615 g flour
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 egg room temperature

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

• 1/2 c sugar
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp flour

Instructions

• In a large bowl, add the water.
• Add in sugar and yeast, and whisk gently, just to combine the ingredients.
• Wait for the yeast to proof and get foamy. This takes 5-10 minutes.
• Add the salt, extra virgin olive oil and flour.
• Start by kneading at a low speed, so the flour doesn't make a mess. Once the flour is combined, increase the speed to medium, and knead for 6-8 minutes.
• Cover the bread dough with a kitchen towel, or plastic wrap, and place in a warm place until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has doubled, punch the dough down.
• Whisk up the egg. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Set aside.
• Place your bread dough on a floured surface. Roll out to an 8×16 rectangle, trying to get rid of air bubbles as you roll it out.
• Using a pastry brush, dip into the egg, and brush the egg over the rolled out dough.
• Add the cinnamon mixture to your dough, covering the entire surface, but leaving about a half inch around the border.
• Roll the dough, short side to short side. Pinch the edges closed, so it doesn't open up while baking.
• Transfer to a greased bread loaf pan. Cover with a kitchen towel, and let sit until the dough has risen about 2 inches above the loaf pan.
• Preheat the oven to 350°.
• Place the bread into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• Next, place foil over the bread, so it doesn't burn. Bake for another 20 minutes.
• Take out of the oven, and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a wire wrack and let the bread completely cool before slicing and storing.