Frequently called cinnamon swirl bread, cinnamon bread is a type of yeast bread made with cinnamon. Though there are variations, most cinnamon bread is made in the same way and is known for the distinctive brown spiral pattern that is apparent when the bread is sliced. It is often eaten alone, toasted, or used for French toast.
Since cinnamon bread is a yeast bread, it takes several hours to make. Yeast breads must be given time to rise, normally once in a bowl and once in the pan they will be baked in. They also must be kneaded. Kneading can be done by hand or with a dough-hook attachment on a blender. Cinnamon bread can also be made in a bread maker.
Milk, water, flour, eggs, active dry yeast, and sugar create the dough base for this bread. Butter is also included. The spiral is made up of a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Raisins are frequent additions either to the dough itself or the spiral, though they are generally optional. Nuts may be substituted for raisins as well.
To make cinnamon bread, the yeast is first dissolved in warm water or a warm milk-butter mixture. When the mixture is bubbly, the eggs, flour, and sugar are added. Milk and butter are also added if the yeast was dissolved in water. If raisins are being included in the dough, they are added during this time too.
Once mixed, the dough is kneaded then put in an oiled or buttered bowl. The dough is turned so it is coated in the oil before it is covered and allowed to rise in a warm, moist place. Over one to two hours the dough should double in size.
After the dough rises, it is rolled out into a long rectangle. Then, melted butter or milk is brushed across the dough to wet it before a cinnamon-sugar mixture is spread evenly over the top. Raisins or nuts may be sprinkled on top as well, if they were not already included. Once coated, the dough is then rolled up like a sleeping bag. The ends are tucked under and seams are blended together once it is rolled.
The rolled bread is placed into a baking pan and left to rise for another one to two hours. Then, it may be brushed with butter before it is allowed to bake. Cinnamon bread should be left to cool for at least at hour before slicing.