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Easy Cinnamon Bread Recipe with a Sweet Cinnamon Swirl

Easy Cinnamon Bread Recipe

A tender cinnamon quick bread with a buttery crumb, fragrant cinnamon-sugar swirl, and crisp, sweet topping. This simple loaf is perfect with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs Large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Buttermilk
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Cinnamon Swirl and Topping
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons Ground cinnamon

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment if desired.
  2. Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
  3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing only until combined.
  4. Combine the cinnamon and sugar for the swirl. Spread half the batter in the pan, sprinkle with about half the cinnamon sugar, add the remaining batter, and finish with the remaining cinnamon sugar.
  5. Lightly swirl with a knife without cutting deeply or overmixing. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool the loaf in the pan for at least 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer it to a rack to finish cooling before slicing.

Notes

Room-temperature butter, eggs, and buttermilk help create a smooth batter and even rise. Sour cream or plain yogurt thinned with a little milk can replace the buttermilk. If the top browns early, tent the loaf loosely with foil during the final 10 to 15 minutes.