When the smell of cinnamon and freshly baked bread float throughout the house, everyone knows they’re in for a treat. Our contest-winning cinnamon quick bread will make your family congregate in the kitchen just because of the smell alone. The hardest part is waiting for the loaf to cool so the glaze can be drizzled on top, but once you finally bite into the soft, tender loaf with its crunchy cinnamon-sugar swirl, you’ll know the wait was worth it.
Your loved ones will simply devour this cinnamon swirl quick bread whether it’s served for breakfast, a snack or dessert (or, hey, all three! We don’t judge!).
Ingredients for Cinnamon Quick Bread
- All-purpose flour: Use all-purpose flour for the best quick bread results. This type of flour has a mix of hard and soft wheat, giving the quick bread its structure without taking away tenderness.
- Sugar: We use granulated sugar in both the dough and cinnamon-sugar swirl. If you don’t have enough granulated sugar for the swirl, use brown sugar in a pinch—but don’t use it for the bread’s batter.
- Buttermilk: We use buttermilk to make the bread tangy, rich, moist and soft. No buttermilk on hand? Save a trip to the store by making your own buttermilk. Stir together 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup, and let it stand for five minutes. Or, use 1 cup plain yogurt, or 1-3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk.
- Cinnamon: Did you know that there are many different types of cinnamon other than the common cassia? Each type brings its own nuanced flavor to a recipe. Try floral Ceylon cinnamon, spicy Saigon cinnamon or extra cinnamon-y Korintje cinnamon in this cinnamon-forward recipe.
Directions
Step 1: Create the batter
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup sugar, the baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg and oil until very well combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened.
Editor’s Tip: Be careful not to overmix the batter once the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Overmixing will cause an over-development of gluten, resulting in a tough, dense bread.
Step 2: Mix the cinnamon sugar
In a small bowl, whisk together the cinnamon and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until everything is evenly distributed.
Step 3: Assemble the loaf
Grease only the bottom of a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Pour half the batter into the pan and gently spread it out evenly to all four corners. Sprinkle the top with half the cinnamon sugar. Pour the remaining batter on top and carefully spread it out. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cinnamon sugar.
Using a butter knife, cut through the batter a few times to create a swirl.
Step 4: Bake the loaf
Bake the loaf until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool the loaf for 10 minutes at room temperature. Remove the loaf from the pan and onto a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
Step 5: Drizzle on the glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and just enough milk to reach the desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the loaf.
Recipe Variations
- Create a streusel topping: Add another textural component to this bread by baking it with a streusel topping. Whip up our fruit pie crumb topping, sprinkle it on top of the unbaked cinnamon swirl quick bread and bake the loaf according to this quick bread recipe’s instructions.
- Sprinkle in extra baking spices: Make your loaf even more cozy, warm and fit for fall by sprinkling fall spices, pumpkin pie spice, chai spice or apple pie spice into the cinnamon sugar.
- Add mix-ins: The cinnamon swirl doesn’t have to be the only star of the show. Add other mix-ins like chopped apples (consequently making the perfect cinnamon-apple dessert for fall), rich chocolate chips, or toasted pecans or walnuts to the batter.
How to Store Cinnamon Quick Bread
To store cinnamon swirl quick bread, let it cool completely to room temperature on a cooling rack. Store the loaf in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in storage wrap. Cinnamon swirl quick bread can last at room temperature for up to three days and in the fridge for up to five.
How to Freeze Cinnamon Quick Bread
To freeze, place the room-temperature loaf in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in two layers of storage wrap followed by a final layer of aluminum foil. Keep the loaf in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw the loaf in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for two hours.
Cinnamon Quick Bread Tips
Can you make cinnamon quick bread in another pan?
Yes, according to our baking pan conversions chart, this cinnamon quick bread can also be baked in a 9-inch round pan or an 8-inch square pan. You could also bake mini loaves in three 5-3/4 x 3-inch mini loaf pans to pass out to friends and family (or to freeze and save for yourself).
What do you serve with cinnamon quick bread?
Make cinnamon swirl quick bread for an indulgent morning breakfast or as part of a brunch spread. Serve it as a midday snack along with tea, coffee or a tall glass of milk. Save a slice for dessert, too, and warm it in the microwave to reinvigorate the cinnamon-sugar goodness. Scoop out some ice cream from one of the best vanilla ice cream brands to top this loaf and make it truly decadent.
