Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
A delightful cinnamon swirl loaf with tender texture and sweet cinnamon filling, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy treat with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour and yeast.
- In a saucepan, heat milk, 1/2 cup sugar, shortening, and salt just until warm, stirring constantly to melt shortening.
- Add the warm mixture to the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl.
- Add eggs and beat at low speed with an electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of the bowl constantly.
- Beat at high speed for three minutes.
- By hand, stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease the surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough in half.
- Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll each half into a 15 x 7-inch rectangle. Brush the entire surface with water.
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Spread half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over each rectangle.
- Roll each rectangle up as for a jelly roll, starting with the narrow side.
- Seal the long edge and ends of each roll.
- Place the sealed side down in two greased 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) until done, about 30 minutes.
- Drizzle with icing before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using butter instead of shortening or adding a splash of vanilla extract to the dough. If you don't have active dry yeast, you can substitute it with instant yeast; just adjust the quantity slightly. Make sure your milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast. You can also experiment with adding nuts or dried fruit to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for extra texture.
Serving Suggestions
Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is delightful served warm with a spread of butter or cream cheese. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack. For a festive touch, drizzle with icing before serving. You can also slice it and use it for French toast, making it a versatile addition to your brunch menu alongside dishes like Orange Pecan Muffins.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, wrap the cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness, and keep them at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, consider freezing the loaves. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cinnamon Swirl Loaf contains roughly 487 calories, with 12g protein, 82g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (58% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (38% of the Daily Value), and protein (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 659mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for some of the all-purpose flour, but it may result in a denser loaf. A good ratio to start with is half whole wheat and half all-purpose. Keep an eye on the dough's consistency as you mix, and adjust with additional flour if necessary.
What can I do if my dough doesn't rise?
If your dough doesn't rise, it may be due to inactive yeast or an incorrect temperature. Make sure your yeast is fresh and check that your milk was warm enough (around 110°F). If the dough still doesn't rise, you can try placing it in a warmer area, such as a turned-off oven with the light on, to encourage rising.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and let it rise, then punch it down and refrigerate it overnight. Just allow it to come to room temperature and rise again before shaping and baking. This can enhance the flavor and make it easier to fit into your schedule.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).