🍞 Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Here’s a cozy and classic Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe — soft, buttery, and packed with a sweet cinnamon-sugar spiral. It’s perfect toasted with butter or as the base for epic French toast! 🍞✨

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🍞 Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1.5–2 hours
Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: ~3 hours
Servings: 1 loaf (about 10 slices)

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📝 Ingredients:

Dough:

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg

Filling:

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp softened butter

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the dough:
   In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
   Stir in egg, melted butter, salt, and flour. Mix and knead (by hand or stand mixer) until smooth and elastic (7–10 minutes).
2. First rise:
   Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled — about 1 to 1½ hours.
3. Shape with cinnamon swirl:
   Punch down the dough. Roll into a rectangle (about 9″x18″).
   Spread with softened butter and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon and brown sugar.
   Roll up tightly from the short end (like a jelly roll) and pinch the seam.
4. Second rise:
   Place the rolled dough into a greased 9×5 loaf pan. Cover and let rise until puffy, about 30–45 minutes.
5. Bake:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 40–45 minutes, tenting with foil halfway if it browns too quickly.
6. Cool and slice:
   Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

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✅ Tips:

• For a gooier swirl, brush the dough with a bit of water before adding the filling.
• Add raisins or chopped pecans to the swirl if you like texture!
• Store at room temperature (tightly wrapped) for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

❄️ How to Freeze Cinnamon Bread

🥖 Option 1: Freeze the Whole Loaf

1. Cool completely — Make sure the bread is fully cooled to room temperature.
2. Wrap tightly — Wrap the loaf in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil (or place it in a large freezer bag).
3. Label & freeze — Label with the date. Freeze for up to 2–3 months.

🍞 Option 2: Freeze Sliced Bread

1. Cool and slice the bread.
2. Wrap slices individually or place parchment between slices so they don’t stick together.
3. Store in a freezer bag — Remove as much air as possible before sealing.

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🔥 To Reheat or Thaw:

• Whole loaf: Let thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes if desired.
• Individual slice: Toast from frozen or microwave for 15–30 seconds.