Cinnamon Swirl Bread

This is a recipe for a simple cinnamon bread that will remind you of fresh baked cinnamon rolls but without all the work. Full of spicy cinnamon and sweet brown sugar, this bread is great on its own or toasted.

Prepare: 20

Bake: 25

Rest Time: 2 30

Total Time: 3 15

Servings: 18 slices

Ingredients

3 ⅔ cups (550g) flour
1 cup (240mL) milk
2 large (100g) eggs
¼ cup (56g) softened butter or margarine
¼ cup (50g) sugar
2 tsp (7g) yeast
1 tsp (5g) salt

For the Filling

½ cup (113g) brown sugar
2 tbs (28g) softened butter or margarine
1 tbs (9g) flour
2 tsp (4g) cinnamon

Instructions

For the Dough

Combine all ingredients into a bowl. Mix with a spoon until it's no longer easy to stir. Turn out onto counter.
Knead 8-10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and is easily stretched without tearing.
Cover and let rest for 1 - 2 hours or until double in size.
Turn dough out onto a clean surface and roll into a 8x20" (20×50 cm) rectangle.

For the Filling

Evenly coat the dough with butter or margarine, leaving a 1/2" (1.25cm) space on 3 sides of the dough.
In a small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the filling on top of the butter.
Starting from the 8" (20cm) side with butter and filling, roll into a log.
Grease one 9×5" (23×13 cm) bread tin.
Place dough seem side down into the pan.
Cover and allow to rest 60 minutes.
When there is 15 minutes left in the rise, preheat oven to 350F (180C.)
Bake 30 - 40 minutes or until golden brown. Center of bread should reach 190F (88C.)
Cool before slicing.

Notes

Calories are shown using margarine. Butter will change fat and sodium content.

An important note on dry yeast: Instant dry and active dry yeasts are not the same. If using active dry yeast, you must activate the yeast according to the manufacturer's instructions in order for the dough to rise properly. You typically need to activate or "bloom" the yeast by adding it to warmed liquid for several minutes.

Instant dry yeast can be added to the dry ingredients and typically does not need to be activated prior to use. However, some brands of dry yeasts still require adding warm liquids, so be sure to read the label. Rapid, quick and fast acting dry yeasts will rise much faster than instant and active dry yeasts. For best results, always read and follow the instructions provided on the packet as the rising time varies widely between manufacturers.

Nutrition