Cinnamon Bread

This Cinnamon Bread is soft, sweet, and loaded with warm cinnamon swirls. Made with pantry staples like flour, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla, it’s easy to bake and even easier to devour!

this Recipe

Alright, confession time—I’m obsessed with cinnamon bread. Like, if there was a club for people who can’t resist a warm, cinnamon-swirled loaf, I’d probably be the president. Or at least on the board.

My love for it started when I was a kid. My grandma would bake loaves of cinnamon bread and let me swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter. She’d always say, “Don’t overdo it or you’ll lose the pattern!” Naturally, I ignored her and went all in, creating a chaotic masterpiece of cinnamon ribbons. No regrets.

Fast forward to now, and I’m still making cinnamon bread every chance I get. But here’s the thing—I don’t always have time (or patience) for yeast and rising dough. That’s why this quick and easy version is my go-to. It’s soft, buttery, and has maximum cinnamon swirl action, without any complicated steps.

The last time I made it, I barely let it cool before cutting in (bad idea—molten cinnamon sugar is basically lava). But once it cooled just enough? Pure perfection. It tasted like a mix between a cinnamon roll and a warm slice of heaven.

Moral of the story? If you love cinnamon, carbs, and baked goods that make your kitchen smell like a cozy coffee shop, this is your recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Bread Recipe?

• No yeast, no waiting. Just mix, swirl, and bake—no kneading or rising time required.
• That cinnamon swirl. It’s not just for looks—it gives the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
• It stays soft for days. Thanks to sour cream (or yogurt), every bite is moist and tender.
• Smells like a bakery. If you ever want your house to feel extra cozy, bake this.
• Pairs with everything. Coffee, butter, icing—heck, even peanut butter.

Ingredient Notes:

The best recipes don’t need a long ingredient list, and this one is proof. Here’s what makes it work:

The MVPs of This Recipe:

• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups) – The foundation of the bread. Be sure to spoon and level it—no scooping straight from the bag unless you want a dense loaf.
• Baking Soda (1 tsp) – Gives the bread lift and keeps it from being too heavy.
• Salt (½ tsp) – Brings out all the flavors (because even sweet things need a little balance).
• Egg (1 large, room temp) – Helps hold everything together.
• Granulated Sugar (¾ cup for bread, ½ cup for swirl) – Sweetens things up without making it too sugary.
• Vegetable Oil (⅓ cup) – Keeps the bread ultra-moist. You can swap it for melted butter, but oil gives it a softer texture.
• Sour Cream or Yogurt (⅓ cup) – The magic ingredient that makes this loaf ridiculously tender. Greek yogurt works great too!
• Whole Milk (⅔ cup) – Adds moisture and helps bring the batter together.
• Vanilla Extract (1½ tsp) – Because vanilla makes everything better.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 tbsp) – The star of the show. Be generous!

Pro Tip: Swap the granulated sugar in the cinnamon swirl for dark brown sugar if you want a deeper, caramelized flavor.

How To Make Cinnamon Bread?

I promise—this is one of the easiest, most rewarding things you’ll bake. No mixer needed, just a bowl, a whisk, and a loaf pan.

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal (trust me, it’s worth it).

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mix

In a small bowl, mix ½ cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. Try not to eat it straight from the bowl—I get it, but we need it for the swirl.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. This keeps the baking soda from clumping, so your bread bakes evenly.

Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, oil, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. No need to overthink this—just mix until combined.

Step 5: Combine & Stir Gently

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are fine. Overmixing makes the bread dense, and nobody wants that.

Step 6: Layer & Swirl

Pour half of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle most of the cinnamon sugar over the top. Then pour the rest of the batter in and finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar.
Grab a knife and gently swirl everything together. Not too much—you want to see thick ribbons of cinnamon throughout the bread.

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If it’s browning too fast, loosely cover it with foil during the last 15 minutes.

Step 8: Cool & Enjoy

Let it cool in the pan for an hour (yes, I know, torture). Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Or just slice into it warm because life’s too short to wait.

Bonus move? Drizzle some vanilla icing on top. Not necessary, but highly recommended.

Storage Options:

• Room Temp: Wrap tightly and store for up to 3 days.
• Fridge: Keeps well for up to a week—just warm it up before eating.
• Freezer: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw and enjoy!

Variations and Substitutions:

Feeling creative? Try these fun variations:

• Add nuts – Chopped pecans or walnuts add great crunch.
• Try a different spice – Swap out the cinnamon for pumpkin spice or chai spice.
• Make it chocolatey – Stir in mini chocolate chips for an extra treat.
• Go dairy-free – Use almond milk and coconut yogurt instead of whole milk and sour cream.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Bread?

This bread is already perfect, but if you want to take it to the next level:

• Coffee or Tea – Because cinnamon + caffeine = happiness.
• Butter or Cream Cheese – A little spread takes each slice to another level.
• Warm with Ice Cream – Yes, I said it. Cinnamon bread à la mode is a thing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yep! It actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Just bake in two loaf pans side by side.

Why is my bread dense?

Probably overmixing or too much flour. Be gentle with the batter!

And that’s it! A warm, cinnamon-swirled beauty that’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

Are you team warm with butter or cold with coffee? Let me know in the comments!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Delicious Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe

Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

Delicious Salted Caramel Butter Bars – Perfect for Any Occasion!

Cinnamon Bread

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Indulge, in the medley of tastes found in our Cinnamon Bread; a balance of sweet sugary swirls and fragrant spices embraced by a luxuriously tender loaf. Meticulously crafted with care and enthusiasm, each slice narrates a tale of breakfast allure while adding a modern touch. This isn't simply bread; it's an adventure waiting to be discovered with every bite.

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1 Servings

Ingredients

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Cinnamon Swirl:

• 1/2 c 100 grams granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Bread:

• 2 c 250 grams all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 large egg at room temperature
• 3/4 c 150 grams granulated sugar
• 1/3 c 80ml vegetable oil
• 1/3 c 80 grams sour cream (or plain yogurt/Greek yogurt), at room temperature
• 2/3 c 160ml whole milk, at room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Optional: Vanilla icing

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Instructions

 

1. Before you start make sure to preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease either a 9×5 inch or 8×4 inch loaf pan.
2. For the cinnamon mix combine 1/2 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Give it a stir.
3. Now let's prepare the batter. In one bowl mix together the flour, baking soda and salt. In another bowl whisk together an egg, 3/4 cup of sugar, oil, sour cream, milk and vanilla extract. Gradually blend the mixture into the ingredients.
4. Next comes assembly time. Pour half of the batter into the greased pan. Sprinkle most of the cinnamon mix over this layer. Then pour in the remaining batter, on top. Finish it off by sprinkling the rest of the cinnamon mix over everything in a swirl pattern using a knife.
5. Now it's time to bake! Pop your pan into the oven. Let it cook for about 50 to 65 minutes. If you find that it's browning quickly on top before it's done baking all the way through cover it loosely with foil through cooking time.
6. To check if it's ready to come out of the oven, insert a toothpick into its center. If it comes out clean without any batter sticking to it then your bread is good to go!
7. Once your bread is fully baked through and out of the oven, safely allow it to cool down in its pan on a cooling rack for an hour. After that time has passed carefully transfer your bread from its pan onto a surface or plate to cool completely.
8. If you're feeling fancy. Want some extra flavoring options, for serving time. Consider drizzling some vanilla icing over your homemade bread just before enjoying every bite!

Notes

Delight in our Cinnamon Bread even if you're navigating the world gluten-free! Easily swap out the all-purpose flour for a high-quality gluten-free flour blend (like Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur Flour's measure-for-measure flour). Ensure it contains xanthan gum, which acts as a binder in the absence of gluten. This small tweak guarantees that the texture remains as dreamy and soft as the original. Remember, always double-check all your ingredients to ensure they're truly gluten-free and, as an added layer of safety, keep an eye out for any cross-contamination in your kitchen. Enjoy this aromatic treat with confidence!

Audrey

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Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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