Master the Art of Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread: An Easy Recipe for Beginners & Beyond!
Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most delightful homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread you’ll ever taste! This article is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fleischmann’s Yeast, and I assure you, all opinions and the passion for baking expressed here are entirely my own. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a bakery wonderland!
There’s a universally acknowledged truth in my world: I am, unequivocally, a devoted carb lover. If there’s one culinary indulgence I simply cannot fathom abandoning, it’s bread. The sheer delight of pulling a warm, fragrant loaf directly from the oven, its crust golden and inviting, then slicing it thickly and spreading it with a generous pat of melting butter… Oh, my goodness. Just conjuring that image in my mind sends my taste buds into a frenzy! That unparalleled freshness, the soft interior, the subtle crunch of the crust – it’s pure, unadulterated comfort and joy, a simple pleasure that truly defines wholesome goodness.
For a long time, the very thought of baking bread from scratch filled me with a paralyzing fear. I vividly recall the early days of my marriage when my thoughtful mother-in-law gifted me a brand-new bread machine. My excitement was palpable; I imagined effortlessly churning out perfect loaves. Eagerly, I followed every instruction to the letter for my inaugural attempt. The result? A catastrophic “bread brick.” It was rock-hard, dense, and utterly unappetizing – the antithesis of everything bread should be. I was devastated, reduced to tears, convinced that if I couldn’t even manage a decent loaf in a supposedly foolproof bread machine, then homemade bread was forever beyond my grasp. I thought my destiny was to live a life devoid of that warm, fresh-baked aroma filling my home, a truly tragic thought for a carb enthusiast!
However, life, much like yeast, eventually finds a way to rise. Fast forward a few years to the first Thanksgiving I hosted at my home. I was determined to prepare every single dish from scratch, a daunting but exciting challenge. But when it came to the dinner rolls, my old fears resurfaced, accompanied by a fresh wave of panic. I debated buying them, but my resolve to make everything homemade won out. I took a deep breath, put on my “big girl panties,” and plunged into the world of yeast dough. The stress was immense; I’m pretty sure I developed a nervous twitch from worrying. Would the yeast activate correctly? Would the dough rise as it should? What if the water was too hot and killed the yeast? Or too cold, leaving it dormant? What if I didn’t knead it enough, or worse, over-kneaded it? The questions spiraled, each one adding to my anxiety about this crucial element of the Thanksgiving feast. Every step felt like a high-stakes experiment, and I was convinced I was going to fail spectacularly. The kitchen, usually a place of joy, felt like a high-pressure laboratory.
And guess what? Against all odds, those rolls turned out absolutely fantastic! They were fluffy, golden, and disappeared from the basket almost instantly. My triumph was immense, and I couldn’t help but pat myself on the back for a job incredibly well done. That experience was a pivotal moment, transforming my dread into a newfound passion. Now, as a (mostly kidding, haha!) super awesome food blogger, I genuinely enjoy the process of making various breads. My culinary repertoire has expanded significantly; I now proudly feature recipes for delectable soft pretzels, several mouth-watering kinds of dinner rolls, and even rich, gooey cinnamon rolls. Every single one is homemade, and every single one relies on the magic of yeast. Yep, I did a total 360-degree turn in my baking journey! And the biggest revelation? Baking bread is not nearly as difficult as I once believed!
Undoubtedly, my absolute favorite and most reliable partner in the kitchen for all things bread is Fleischmann’s® Yeast. Its consistent performance gives me confidence every time I bake. I can always easily find it in grocery stores, and without fail, I achieve fantastic results when I use it. For this particular recipe, I chose Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Yeast to transform a foundational easy white bread recipe into this incredible, perfectly swirled cinnamon bread. Seriously, the process is incredibly straightforward and surprisingly simple. Please, don’t let the number of steps in the recipe deter you; each one is manageable, and the collective effort is entirely rewarding. I promise, you absolutely can make this! Anyone, regardless of their baking experience level, can achieve a beautiful, delicious loaf with this recipe and the right yeast.
For more inspiration and a treasure trove of carb-alicious bread recipes, I highly recommend exploring The Fleischmann’s Yeast website. It’s an invaluable resource, packed with helpful tips, smart tricks, and educational content designed to guide both novice and experienced bakers. Whether you’re just starting your baking journey or looking to perfect your technique, their website provides everything you need to ensure your baking projects turn out beautifully every single time. It’s truly a fantastic place to build your baking confidence and expand your repertoire.
Beyond the delightful aroma and taste, one of the greatest joys of baking for me is involving my children in the process. It’s more than just making food; it’s about creating memories and teaching valuable skills. My two youngest children absolutely love to help with the simpler tasks, eagerly measuring ingredients and mixing everything together, their little hands covered in flour and big smiles on their faces. It’s a fantastic sensory experience for them, and they take such pride in contributing. My older two, well, they’re typically more focused on the crucial “taste-testing” phase – devouring the finished product with gusto! Ha! I also have to give a special shout-out to my oldest, who lent their keen eye and steady hand to capture all the wonderful step-by-step pictures you see above. Pretty impressive photography skills for a budding baker, wouldn’t you agree?! It’s truly a family affair from start to finish, culminating in delicious moments shared together.
The moment you pull these two beautiful, golden-brown loaves of Cinnamon Swirl Bread from the oven, you will feel an immense sense of accomplishment and happiness. The incredible aroma of warm cinnamon and freshly baked bread will envelop your entire home, instantly making it feel cozier and more inviting. Your family will undoubtedly be in heaven as they anticipate that first delicious slice. This homemade cinnamon swirl bread isn’t just a treat for your own home; it’s also absolutely perfect for sharing. During the bustling holiday season, there’s nothing that conveys warmth, thoughtfulness, and genuine affection quite like a fresh, homemade loaf of bread given as a gift. Wrap it in a pretty ribbon, and you have a truly heartfelt present that will be cherished and enjoyed. It’s a delicious way to spread holiday cheer and show your loved ones you care.
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
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Ingredients
- 5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 packets Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter OR margarine
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Spice Islands® cinnamon
Instructions
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Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, dry yeast and salt in a large mixer bowl and stir until blended. Combine water, milk and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 15 second increments until very warm but not hot to the touch (120° to 130°F. Butter won’t melt completely). Add to flour mixture.
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Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in just enough remaining flour so that the dough will form into a ball.
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Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic and springs back when lightly pressed with 2 fingers, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cover with a towel; let rest for 10 minutes.
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Cut dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 12 x 7-inch rectangle using a rolling pin.
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Mix together sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon mixture on top of each rolled out rectangle. Beginning at short end of each rectangle, roll up tightly. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Roll outer eadges under and place, seam sides down, in greased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pans.
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Cover with towel; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
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Bake in preheated 400ºF oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans by running a knife around the edges and invert onto wire rack.
Looking for more delicious bread recipes to expand your baking repertoire? Try these too:
Soft Pretzel Bites with Easy Honey Mustard Sauce
Effortless No-Knead Peasant Bread
Wholesome Homemade Whole Wheat Pita Bread
There’s an incredible and deeply satisfying sense of pride that comes with sharing something you’ve lovingly baked from scratch. This holiday season, let that feeling blossom in your kitchen. With Fleischmann’s Yeast as your trusted companion, you absolutely won’t be afraid to unleash your culinary creativity and explore new horizons in baking. Forget the intimidation; Fleischmann’s makes yeast baking approachable and enjoyable, ensuring consistent, delicious results every time. Baking with yeast this holiday season can be as simple and stress-free as pre-heating your oven. Imagine the warm, comforting aromas filling your home, the delighted faces of your family and friends, and the sheer pleasure of creating something truly special with your own hands. To discover even more inspiring recipes, expert tips, and helpful tricks that will make your holiday baking a resounding success, be sure to visit foodnetwork.com/holidaybaking. Embark on your baking adventure today and make this holiday season truly memorable!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ACH. The opinions and text are all mine.