Cinnamon Swirl Bread
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This Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe is an easy to make quick bread with a generous cinnamon swirl baked into it.
November 1st is National Cinnamon Day! There are so many ways to celebrate cinnamon! You can bake cinnamon sugar soft pretzels, make a giant cinnamon roll or even bake a caramel cinnamon roll bundt cake. We hope you’ll try our super easy, new recipe for cinnamon swirl bread!
Share the cinnamon love on social media today using the hashtags, #NationalCinnamonDay, #CinnamonDay and #RecipesForHolidays.
“Cinnamon swirls through desserts like a delicious ribbon of warmth.”
-Unknown
The History of Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is believed to have been used as early as 2000 BCE in Ancient Egypt, where it was valued for its scent and it was used in embalming. It was also mentioned in the Bible, noting its significance in ancient cultures.
Cinnamon was one of the spices that drove trade between the East and West. Ancient traders from India and Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) brought cinnamon to the Mediterranean. The spice became a luxury item in Europe, often associated with wealth and status.
In the 16th century, European powers such as Portuguese and Dutch, attempted to control the cinnamon trade. The Dutch established a monopoly on Ceylon cinnamon in the 17th century, leading to conflicts over spice trade routes.
Throughout history, cinnamon has been used not only as a spice for flavoring but also for its medicinal properties. It has been employed in traditional medicine for digestive issues, inflammation, and respiratory conditions.
Today, cinnamon is used all over the world in both sweet and savory dishes. There are two main types: Ceylon cinnamon (often referred to as “true cinnamon”) and Cassia cinnamon, which is more commonly found in supermarkets.
Ingredients Needed:
- butter
- granulated white sugar
- egg
- all purpose flour
- baking powder, baking soda and salt
- buttermilk
- ground cinnamon
How to make Cinnamon Swirl Bread:
The complete, printable recipe is at the end of this post.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray an 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, sugar and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the sugar mixture alternately with the buttermilk. In a small bowl, combine the swirl ingredients.
- Pour ⅓ of the batter into the prepared pan; sprinkle with ⅓ of the swirl mixture. Repeat the layers twice. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredient Tip:
If you don’t yet have it, splurge and buy this brand of Ceylon cinnamon. It’s simply the best, and it will bring a fabulous, intense cinnamon flavor to all dishes calling for cinnamon.
How to Store Cinnamon Swirl Bread:
Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. This bread can be frozen too. Let it cool. Wrap it in aluminum foil, and then drop it into a large freezer zip baggie. Freeze for up to 2 months.
What I Love About This Recipe:
- The cinnamon swirl is delicious! Sometimes I double the ingredients for the swirl to make it extra cinnamon-y!
- And it’s fabulous topped with icing too. Whisk together 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 2 or 3 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
- Cinnamon swirl bread is a lovely bread for gifting.
Fun Facts About Cinnamon:
- Cinnamon is harvested from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum family. The bark is peeled, dried, and rolled into the familiar cinnamon sticks.
- Beyond sweet dishes, cinnamon is also used in savory recipes, especially in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines, where it complements meats and rice dishes.
- Cinnamon oil is often used in perfumes, incense and candles due to its warm, spicy aroma.
- Cinnamon has natural insect-repelling properties. It can deter pests like ants and cockroaches, making it a popular choice for natural home remedies.
- The “cinnamon challenge” became a popular internet trend where people attempted to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon without drinking water, which can be dangerous and is not recommended!
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Ingredients
BREAD:
- 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
SWIRL:
- ⅓ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray an 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, sugar and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the sugar mixture alternately with the buttermilk. In a small bowl, combine the swirl ingredients.
- Pour ⅓ of the batter into the prepared pan; sprinkle with ⅓ of the swirl mixture. Repeat the layers twice. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
