How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Instant Yeast vs. Active Dry Yeast
Active Dry and Instant Yeast can be used interchangeably!
I like to use Instant Yeast (also called “rapid-rising” or “fast-acting”) because it can cut the dough rising time by as much as 50% and can be added straight in with the dry ingredients. No proofing is required.
Active dry yeast can actually be added directly in with the dry ingredients (like instant yeast) as long as the liquids are warm. However, proofing active dry yeast can be worth the extra step because it will work more quickly and effectively.
Whatever you do, just make sure your water isn’t TOO hot which can kill your yeast.
The Best Loaf Pan for Cinnamon Swirl Bread
I like to use a metal loaf pan for baking Cinnamon Swirl Bread. They heat up and cool down quickly. Whatever you do, make sure you’re using a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan.
Anything smaller and you’ll have too much dough which will balloon over the top and sides of your pan.
If you’re using a glass or ceramic pan, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and extend the baking time by about 10 to 15 minutes.
How to Roll Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Be sure to roll a very tight coil. Do this by stretching the dough slightly towards you as you roll up and around. This will allow the dough to rise and keep its beautiful shape. Pinch and seal the log once you’re done rolling and place it seam side down in the pan. The dough is very easy to work with so you shouldn’t need much additional flour.
How to Prevent Cinnamon Swirl Bread from Separating
The first time I made this recipe the swirls completely separated from each layer. In researching how to prevent this, I found a tip by Cooks Illustrated. Very lightly misting the cinnamon sugar with water after sprinkling on the dough helps to prevent major separation. You don’t want to use too much water, though, otherwise the filling will leak out.
How to Store Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Store the bread in a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also slice and freeze the bread for toast.
How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Bread
If making toast, you can toast frozen slices directly from the freezer. The bread is delicious with butter, but also with cream cheese!
How to Make French Toast with Cinnamon Swirl Bread
This bread makes AMAZING French toast! Use my favorite French toast recipe here, being sure to include the ‘drying out’ step in the directions to avoid soggy cinnamon swirl French toast.
Hello! I followed this recipe exactly but my loaf rose waaaay too much while baking. I did use a bread flour with high protein. Any ideas? Should I try cutting the yeast in half?
Hi Darryl! Hmm, that’s strange. Are you using the recommended pan size? Feel free to experiment with yeast levels, but I wouldn’t cut it down too much, as it may not be able to rise at all then. Let us know how it goes!
Could you make this with a savory spread?
Hi Jessica! While we have not tested that out, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! There is a little sugar in the dough, but that shouldn’t be enough to make the dough too sweet for a savory filling. Just keep in mind that whatever you’re filling this with instead needs to be fairly dry – the wetter the filling, the bigger the gaps you’ll end up with because the steam from the moisture needs to go somewhere! Let us know how it goes if you try it out!! 🙂
LOVED THIS! My first attempt at cinnamon bread- but you might want to caution people about the possibility of swooning upon taking the first bite! I would add my photo, but I’m not sure how to do that here.
Yay!! So excited to hear that this bread was sooo delicious, Anne!!!
Super easy and a family favorite now, I’ll be making many more with this recipe!!!
Yay!! So wonderful to hear that, Todd!!
My husband loves making toast out of this I. The morning!! It’s fun to bake too!!
So happy to hear that, Kathy! This bread definitely makes great toast 🙂
Delicious!!! Thank you so, so, much for sharing this recipe, you are a great Chef!!
Hi Sally! I’m so happy to hear you loved this cinnamon swirl bread recipe! I will pass along your kind words to Tessa! 🙂
If using instant yeast how does the recipe change?
Hi Jenn! You’re welcome to use instant yeast in this recipe, check out the pink tip box above the recipe for more details 🙂 You may be interested in reading our article Active Dry Yeast vs. Instant Yeast as well 🙂 I hope that helps, let us know what you think of this recipe!
It looks so healthy and delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I am sure it would taste good too.
Loved this bread! My only advice is to add more of the cinnamon mixture than you think! I doubled it and would’ve been satisfied with even more! For sure will make again!!
So glad you tried this recipe out!
Delicious cinnamon swirl bread! Very good rise and texture even with using all purpose flour. New favorite bread recipe!
Thrilled to hear this!
This is a fantastic cinnamon swirl bread recipe, and I have tried quite a few. I didn’t get as many twirls around but I am super pleased. I was wondering if I added a few handfuls of raisins or chopped apricots would it stay in place as well?