An easy Cinnamon Bread Recipe that is perfect for breakfast, snacks and gifting to friends, neighbors and co-workers! This Christmas bread makes a beautiful gift wrapped into inexpensive giftable loaf pans.
Cinnamon Bread is an easy quick bread, which is a no yeast bread. Instead, it’s leavened with baking powder making it simple and fuss free!
It’s a moist bread full of flavor often synonymous with Christmas because of it’s amazing cinnamon sugar scent and flavor! It’s a delicious breakfast or snack on it’s own or slathered in butter.
However, it also makes an amazing treat! One bite and you’ll see why!
When you bake this bread, your kitchen will smell like Christmas! It’s a great homemade food gift to give to friends and family throughout the holidays. That’s exactly why I’ve dubbed this Christmas bread!
Each year I bake up giftable loaves for friends, family, teachers and neighbors. It’s a treat that anyone will surely love!
Even better, it’s quick and easy to make (just about 5 minutes hands on time) with ingredients you have in your pantry!
I am a bit of a quick bread devotee, or a connoisseur if you will. I’ve shared countless quick bread recipes, including a classic sweet bread, apple cinnamon bread and brown sugar bread that have been baked over a million times. I’ve got a quick bread guide that will walk you through each and every recipe in my line-up, along with tips and tricks to enhance your baking experience!
Table of Contents
Cinnamon Bread Ingredients
Cinnamon Bread is made with staple ingredients that mean you can make it to enjoy or gift on a whim!
- Sugar – White granulated sugar sweetens this bread. You can substitute brown sugar if you prefer.
- Flour – All purpose flour, no need to sift.
- Baking Powder – The leavening agent in this no yeast quick bread.
- Salt – A hint of salt brings out all the other flavors.
- Eggs – Eggs are the binding ingredient and help leaven the bread.
- Milk – Use whatever you have on hand from skim to vitamin D! You can make it dairy free using almond milk. This contributes to the light texture of the bread.
- Vegetable Oil – This helps to make the bread incredibly moist. You can substitute canola oil or melted butter if needed.
- Cinnamon – The star of the show that gives this bread so much color and flavor.
Variations
- Glaze – This bread is amazing on its own, but you can also cover it (or drizzle if you show any restraint) with Glaze, Cream Cheese Glaze or Apple Glaze.
- Make Cinnamon Raisin Bread – Swirl in up to 1 cup raisins.
- Make Cinnamon Nut Bread – Swirl in 1 cup walnuts, pecans or almonds and sprinkle on top just before baking.
- Make Apple Cinnamon Bread – Dice 1 large apple (or up to 2) and swirl into the mixture.
- Spice it Up – Alternatively, you can use apple pie spice.
- Add a Topping – Simply combine cinnamon, brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly and add just before baking.
- Make it Healthier –Replace half the oil with unsweetened apple sauce and eliminate the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
How to Make Cinnamon Bread
This Cinnamon Bread recipe is so easy to make – in just 5 minutes hands on time, you yield 6 miniature loaves of moist, sweet, delicious cinnamon bread. Who can resist?
To make Cinnamon Bread, you simply combine all ingredients, swirl in cinnamon sugar and bake to perfection! It’s a foolproof no yeast bread recipe. You can see how easy it is to make by watching the video in this post and get the printable recipe below.
- Prep – Preheat oven and grease loaf pans.
- Combine Dry Ingredients – Combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
- Beat Wet Ingredients – Combine eggs, milk and vegetable oil.
- Combine – Gradually fold dry mixture into wet until just moist.
- Make Topping – Combine cinnamon and sugar.
- Swirl – Fill pan 1/4 of the way. Top with cinnamon sugar mixture. Use a knife to make swirls in the mixture. Pour batter on top and repeat.
- Bake.
How to Gift Christmas Bread
When I was shopping at Michael’s for something for Adalyn, I came across ceramic loaf pans for just $1. They’re perfect for gifting my cinnamon bread – the quintessential Christmas bread.
Year after year they offer shades of red and green and a great standard, white! You can also now find white year round. It makes perfectly delicious little giftable loaves every time!
You can also use paper loaf pans!
- Wipe the top of the baking dish with a wet paper towel to eliminate any residue from cooking spray.
- Let the bread cool to room temperature before wrapping or serving.
- Wrap the loaves with parchment paper, baker’s twine or ribbon and garnish with cinnamon sticks.
A batch yields 6 mini-loaves, that’s a lot of happy friends! I love that I can make 6 gifts of homemade cinnamon bread in just 10 minutes or easily double the batch for more!
Are you on the list? Subscribers receive access to my free printable library that includes “Wishing you a sweet Christmas” gift tags. You can join here!
These adorable little loaves make great neighbor and teacher gifts – as well as breakfast for yourself. Enjoy alone or with a little butter. You definitely want to save a loaf for yourself!
There’s never a bad time to enjoy this bread! It can easily be served as a breakfast bread, a mid morning or afternoon snack or as an after dinner treat. It’s so perfectly festive and the smell of cinnamon when you bake this bread is to die for!
A Quick Bread Recipe With No Yeast
There is no yeast in this recipe, so you don’t need to let it rise. It’s perfect for easy baking! You just need 5 minutes to make the batter and then it’s straight into the oven!
It’s the perfect bread recipe if you are short on time! It’s made with pantry staple ingredients, so the chances are you don’t even need to plan a trip to the store.
Tips
- Grease Baking Dishes – Be sure to grease your baking dishes for easy removal.
- Don’t Overswirl – Swirl gently or the cinnamon sugar mixture will begin to settle into the batter.
- Use the Toothpick Test – Bake time varies with oven, altitude, loaf pan size and material. Use the toothpick test to determine when your loaves are baked through. When a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, it’s ready to be removed from the oven.
Alternative Baking Options
- Large Loaves – Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this Sweet Bread recipe in 2 – 1 pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan and bake 50 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Make Cinnamon Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
- Make it Ornate – Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
How to Store Homemade Cinnamon Bread
- Room Temperature – Store no yeast bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate – Up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Freeze – Wrap them tightly in heavy foil, saran wrap or place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature to serve.
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This Cinnamon Bread is a great hostess gift, check out some of my other Thoughtful Hostess Gifts!
You’ll Also Love these Giftable Christmas Bread Recipes
Cinnamon Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
TOPPING:
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon + 1 tsp
- ⅔ cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease loaf pans.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or mixer, beat eggs, milk and oil.
- Gradually add dry mixture to wet until just moist.
- Pour mixture an inch below to the top to compensate for rise.
- Combine topping, spoon on each loaf and swirl in with a knife, leaving some on top.
- Bake 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Video
Notes
Substitutions
- Sugar – Give it a rich molasses flavor substituting brown sugar.
- Milk – Use whatever you have on hand from skim to vitamin D! You can make it dairy free using almond milk. This contributes to the light texture of the bread.
- Vegetable Oil – This helps to make the bread incredibly moist. You can substitute canola oil or melted butter if needed.
Variations
- Glaze – This bread is amazing on it’s own, but you can also cover it (or drizzle if you show any restraint) with Glaze, Cream Cheese Glaze or Apple Glaze.
- Make Cinnamon Raisin Bread – Swirl in up to 1 cup raisins.
- Make Cinnamon Nut Bread – Swirl in 1 cup walnuts, pecans or almonds and sprinkle on top just before baking.
- Make Apple Cinnamon Bread – Dice 1 large apple (or up to 2) and swirl into the mixture.
- Add a Topping – Simply combine cinnamon, brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly and add just before baking.
- Spice it Up – Alternatively, you can use apple pie spice.
- Make it Healthier –Replace half the oil with unsweetened apple sauce and eliminate the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
Baking Alternatives
- Large Loaves – Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this Sweet Bread recipe in 2 – 1 pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan and bake 50 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
- Make Cinnamon Muffins – If you prefer to make them into muffins, just grease miniature muffin tins and fill each to 2/3 full. Bake 12 minutes.
- Make it Ornate – Alternatively, you can also bake it in an ornate loaf pan with the same minimal effort!
Tips
- Grease Baking Dishes – Be sure to grease your baking dishes for easy removal.
- Don’t Overswirl – Swirl gently or the cinnamon sugar mixture will begin to settle into the batter.
- Use the Toothpick Test – Bake time varies with oven, altitude, loaf pan size and material. Use the toothpick test to determine when your loaves are baked through. When a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, it’s ready to be removed from the oven.
To Store
- Room Temperature – Store no yeast bread in a sealed plastic bag or covered in saran wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate – Up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Freeze – Wrap them tightly in heavy foil, saran wrap or place them in freezer bags (I like to do at least 2 to prevent freezer odors from seeping in), and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature to serve.
First time visiting your site-thanks so much! This is the first time that I used my one pound loaf pan, so I baked one loaf. I halved your recipe and it took 50 minutes, with just a very small area in the top middle of the finished bread that could have used a minute or two more of baking. I added almost a tsp of cinnamon to the dry part of the batter, too. My only change will be to add most of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of half of the poured batter, then cover with the remaining batter and swirl the remaining cinnamon sugar mix, since my DH was expecting a swirl inside the bread. Easy remedy for next time. Thanks!
This bread is amazing. Will be adding it to my Christmas gift baskets next year.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Used King Arthur Paleo flour substitute and organic palm sugar and butter as subs. The moistness and crumb of this bread is spectacular, but it is more like a cake, which I prefer. I have a large loaf pan and made one loaf plus 3 large muffins. I prefer the muffins as they cooked to the perfect texture…quite possibly due to my substitutions. Made for Christmas morning. Truly fantastic! I will make it again, and again, and again. We love to have a baked good around daily.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Omg a huge hit this year. Thank you!!
Thanks, Jocelyn! Hope you had the happiest holiday!
Just had this bread for Christmas breakfast and it was a hit! my husband had two slices and would eat the whole loaf if he could! thanks for the great recipe.
Sue
I just made this tonight — two loaf pans — 350. So far it has been in one hour and still not done. Should I have used a higher temperature? I am going to make these as gifts, so I would like to get it right. They smell good and look good, but still doughy in the middle.
You may want an oven thermometer to ensure yours is accurate. Use the toothpick test to ensure it is done. Bake times vary on oven, vessel size and material in addition to altitude. Enjoy!
I don’t see vanilla extract in the recipe. Would it change the taste drastically if I added some?
No – I don’t use it in this particular recipe but you can if you’d like.
What size pan do I use? I’m not a baker but I want to attempt this and I need perfect measurements the first time.
I have a variety of loaf pan sizes listed with bake times for your convenience, enjoy!
You are such a time saver with this recipe! I made a double batch and it was so quick to prepare and now I get to surprise 12 friends with these beautiful tiny loaves of goodness. I can’t wait to have this with coffee in the morning. THANK YOU!
Had anyone ever mailed the loaves to family within the US? If so how did you keep it fresh so the receiver didn’t have icky bread.
Loved this recipe and made it twice. The second time I added two cups of blueberries and it was even better.
Sooooooo good. Made 1 for our neighbours, 1 for our friends, kept the other 4. They didn’t last long, so I need to make a new batch.
I have a question…could I use all purpose gluten free flour to make this gluten-free?
I haven’t tested it but if you do please let me know!
Needs loads more time than 40 minutes at 350
You must have baked a larger loaf – see bake times based on the loaf pan you’re using. 40 minutes is for a miniature loaf pan.
This was so easy to make! I added a finely chopped apple and cinnamon chips…delicious! Made the perfect mini-muffins for my three littles!
No cinnamon in the batter??? Just in the glaze doesn’t seem like a enough cinnamon for taste
It’s perfect – the swirl fills the bread. You’re welcome to add into the batter if you’d prefer.
Mini Cinnamon Loaves are so delicious. I did have trouble getting them out of the pan. Will use parchment paper next time
I use a really great baking spray, but parchment always works well, too! Thanks for sharing!
on the recipe you do not have the amount of cinnamon on the ingredient list. Pleasse send me the amount.
It’s there. Enjoy!
This is a great gift-giving bread! I always try new recipes for Christmas and this is a new winner❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I love hearing that! Thanks so much Chris, have a wonderful holiday season!
Julie
Made 4 big mini loaves for a friend. In the oven now and smells delicious. Added a shake of cinnamon in the batter and used real butter instead of vegy oil. Thank you!
Can you make these in canning jars?
Like make a mix and just have them add wet ingredients? Yes.
Easy peasy!! And so yummy!
Thank you!
I made this bread tonight.
Perfect to add into the lunchboxes of my five children.
Oh my golly the delightful smell.
My personal variations
2 cups of buttermilk
2 cups of brown sugar
3 small diced granny smith apples
Made the Cinnamon Bread this morning.. I only did half because I was wanted to make 1 loaf so I could try it out before I potentially make it as Christmas Gifts . 🤤 🤤 omg , so yummy! I used your brown sugar crumble topping. Let’s just say I may have or may not have eaten 1/2 of the loaf 😂. I will definitely use this recipe for Christmas baking . Thank you 🙏
No judgement here 🤣
Haven’t made this yet but it looks so good I gave it 5 stars LOL. Under the variations you have Add a Toping of cinnamon brown sugar flour and butter. Do you have amounts for that kind of topping. I need a recipe for everything. Thanks.
Hi Debbie! You can get my crumb topping recipe here. Enjoy!
I halved the recipe and baked in one loaf tin. It took 45 mins @180C and it came out utterly gorgeous. I had added a tsp more of cinnamon in the actual flour mixture also. Spread a thin layer of salted butter on a slice straight out of the oven and oh my days I could kiss you Julie! Have to be careful with this one or it’s going to disappear in a day. The bread itself isn’t too sweet and the topping comes out a cooled magma layer of crumbly, flaky, sugary, cinnamon-ny deliciousness. Beautiful recipe that worked first time and took no time to whip up with ingredients easily on hand! Thank u so much 🥰
Made this Cinnamon Bread recipe this morning and made 1 big loaf. I cooked for about 65 minutes and it turned out great. Love the crunchy cinnamon top. Will definitely make again.
Thank you for your feedback, Debbie! SO happy you enjoyed it!
Could I swap the flour for a gluten free flour like Bob’s red mill 1 to 1 flour?
Yes – I haven’t tested it but I believe you should have success doing so.
I’m about to try this recipe but noticed that the serving size says 46! If I only want to make 1 loaf what size of serving should I enter? Thanks .. anxious to try this recipe.
Don’t want 6 miniature loaves? You can also make this Sweet Bread recipe in 2 – 1 pound loaf pans or cut the recipe in half for just 1 loaf pan and bake 50 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Enjoy!
Hi, can I use self rising flour for this bread instead of the all purpose flour, salt, and the baking powder?
Unfortunately, no. The amount of leavening agent would be off.
What is the exact size of the pans you used for the actual recipe. I thought it was two loaf pans but that appeared different in the variations section. Pan size is confusing.
Thank you
My apologies – I like to offer a lot of details so you can use what you have on hand. The recipe is for 6 miniature loaf pans, but you’ll find instructions for 2 1 pound pans as well.
This was absolutely delicious! My husband says that this cinnamon bread is better than his favorite cinnamon coffee cake from Starbuck’s! I can’t wait to try your other quick bread recipes, especially the gingerbread. Thank you!
YESSSSS! Thank you for making my day! I have about 35 to try! I can’t wait to hear your favorite!
Made this bread and it turned out fantastic. I added homemade royal icing on top of the bread. So delicious! Thank you for the easy recipe!
Thank you, Wendy! I hope you’ll try out more of my 35 sweet bread recipes!
Made this tonight, was delicious but the very middle, closest to the bottom, was not well done as the outside, which was almost cake-like.
It was the first time I used my new silicone loaf pan, could that be the issue? Any recommendations or experiences on metal versus silicone?
Yes, silicone is really tricky. Personally, I don’t love it. I prefer ceramic or goldtouch for an even bake. The smaller the silicone, the better your results will be. (like cupcakes).
Made this into one giant loaf, baked it for 65 minutes and it was so 😋!
THIS BREAD IS SO GOOD. I have made 2 loaves and also half of the recipe for one loaf. I plan on making it again tonight. I did replace the oil with melted coconutt oil because that is all I had.
Thank you, Carol! I also appreciate the substitution suggestion.
We loved this bread. I took it as a hostess gift.
More specific instructions would have been beneficial.
I’m sorry, I’m not following? You can find the full printable recipe in the recipe card.
Made this into 2 regular loaves and I don’t think they’ll last through the weekend – SO good!
Thanks for sharing, Kristi! Enjoy!
What about adding buttermilk in stead of milk?
Sure!
What flour is needed for this recipe? I’m in Scotland.
Thanks
Karen
All purpose. Enjoy!
I can’t wait to make this bread. Love making different types. This recipe sounds quick but tasty!
Enjoy, Nancy!
This recipe is fantastic. A family favorite. Thanks!!
Thank you, Erica!
Just took the cinnamon bread out of the oven and looks delicious
this recipe is fabulous!! It tastes like a lot more work than it is!!
RIGHT? Thank you, Lisa! Merry Christmas!
Ok. I admit that I had a lot of problems with the recipe. I’m not sure why as I’m a decent Baker and have made several quick breads before. I found that making 8 rather than 6 baked the loaves better. I left 2 other messages about the difficulty I had. But I must admit that I gifted them and received phone calls from coworkers praising the cinnamon bread on how moist and delicious they were. So I will be making them again in the future.
DELICIOUS
So easy to make and makes cute mini loaves
SO FESTIVE to give as
Christmas Gifts
I made this bread last year for my husband’s employees and they all raved over it. Making it again this year for sure!! Thank you so much for it!
So happy to hear that, thank you! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
A delicious recipe! Our family family loved it. Mine came out super crumbly so we ate with spoons. I’m wondering it it’s because I didn’t turn them out to cool, or maybe because I cooked them in little tin disposable mini loaf pans instead of real loaf pans? Do you have any suggestions? I’d love to make some more very soon!
Thanks for sharing, Athena! When they become dry in texture, they have over baked. You’re correct, it’s because you used disposable loaf pans, they require less baking time than ceramic. Reduce baking time by 10 minutes and use the toothpick test. I’m glad you still enjoyed them and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
I made this recipe and it was a total disaster. None of the 6 cakes baked through after 1 hour. They all ran over leaving a huge mess. These were to be Christmas gifts for co-workers. Now on to plan B. I wasted all those ingredients and bought mini loaf pans for nothing!
Hi Lynne, I’m so sorry to hear this. I never want anyone to have that experience with one of my recipes! I have tested this particular recipe many times over the years and always receive great reviews and fun photos from people that made it. As mentioned, you cannot overfill and have to leave room to compensate for rise. Hopefully with staple ingredients you have enough to make them again in the loaf pans. Let me know if you need anything along the way. Again, I apologize for your experience. I wish you nothing but joy this holiday season!
Beautiful and delicious bread!
Thank you, Carolyn! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope your season is filled with joy!
I’m heading to michaels tomorrow to hopefully find 10 of these pans for neighbor gifts, thanks for the tip! Can you bake all 6 loaves at once or will it be overcrowded?
I always bake at once and often bake up to 12 at a time! Enjoy!
I make this every other Christmas as teachers’ end of year gifts and it’s always a hit! This recipe is foolproof and oh so delicious! The sweet bread, the apple cinnamon bread and the cinnamon roll bread are awesome as well.
Thank you for sharing, Sylvia! It truly makes my day!
This recipe was such a big hit when I gifted it last year, I now have orders for more by some of the recipients who want to gift them to others this year. For instance, I gave a loaf to a friend last year and she requested 60 loaves sent to her to hand out at her office this year. She loved her mini bread so much, she still speaks of it like something out of a Julia Child fairytale. It is exactly as described in your preface; moist, festive, a breeze to make and undeniably delicious. Thank you for sharing this noteworthy recipe with us.
So glad you enjoy it, Robin!
Delicious,I made
this for Thanksgiving Gifts, I added 1/2 bag of Cinnamon chips and Walnuts…..So easy to make!!!
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
The best tasting bread I have ever made…it gets my kids up when they smell it all over the house. It is so easy to make and I always have these ingredients around. This is a real joy to bake. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Thank you, Cindi! So glad you enjoyed it!
Really great!!!! Made a test run to see how it would turn out since I’m planning on mailing these as gifts. ?? My kids approve and so do I. Couldn’t wait till they cooled down, hehehe
Thanks for sharing, Crystal! So glad you enjoyed them!
I want to make this in Michaels small loaf dishes. The instructions say to bake 40 minutes but that seems long for such small dishes. Is this time correct?
It sure is! Tried and true.
This recipe is amazing and so EASY! Thanks for the tip on the mini loaf dishes I think I’ll gift these to a few friends this Christmas.
I loved this bread so much! My whole house smelled incredible!
This is such a great loaf of bread! So easy to make and the flavor is delicious! We loved them!
Made this for the family and it was a hit!
I always love gifting food and nothing better than a cinnamon treat for Christmas! Looking forward to making this!
One of my favorite recipes to share with neighbors and friends! So easy and festive!
Delicious!!!
So yummy!
This recipe is one of my favorites to make for the holidays!
Love this recipe!
I love giving gift as a gift. I’ve gotten so many compliments on it. The recipe is easy and easy to follow.
You have the most delicious and best recipes!!
Perfect for the holidays!! So easy!
Delicious and perfectly giftable!
My very favorite!
What are the dimensions of these ceramic loaf pans?
15.2cm x 9.1cm x 5.7cm
the white loaf pans and ribbon are beautiful. Can you share how to find them?
My apologies Cindy! I just linked them, but the loaf pans are in store at Michael’s. If you make them, please come back to leave a review, I would truly appreciate it!
I am so sorry to bother you again! I tried to hit “reply” to your response, but it repeatedly did not work for some reason! Your reply said, “You can get the ribbon here.” but there was no link or anything. ? So I am just trying once more to see if you could help me out! Thank you and so sorry to take up more time!
My apologies! Let’s try this again! Ribbon
I first noticed this recipe last Christmas season and have been wanting to try it. I made it tonight and it did not disappoint. It is delicious! I plan on making it for Christmas hostess gifts for the next morning and hope to package it as nicely as shown by Julie!
Thank you! As always, if you need anything along the way, let me know! I’d love it if you’d share in my Facebook group!
I want to make this for friends this year! You have the prettiest cream ribbon! Where do you get it?
Thank you! ?
Thank you, Kimberly! You can get the ribbon here.
Has anyone tried a sugar substitute? I have friends who have dietary restrictions.
I haven’t but hopefully I have readers who have and they’ll chime in…
I’d rather make these into muffins. How full should I fill the cups and bake for how long? Thanks for any help.
You’ll LOVE my Cinnamon Muffin Recipe – they melt in your mouth! Enjoy!
I give store-bought loaves of cinnamon bread to family and friends for Christmas, but was looking for a “nice size loaf” recipe I could make myself, and I think I’ve found it! I’m putting the whole shebang into one 9×5 pan to make 1 large loaf, so I’m doubling the baking time? At any rate, I see where this recipe was posted a while back, so I hope I’m not too late to chime in. I added some of the topping mixture to the filling “dough” itself, and then put the rest on top and swirled it in. Thank you for this nice big loaf!
I added cinnamon to the batter before baking and it turned out well
This was a hit with the family! With a big family we decided to do group family gifts. We made “Christmas morning “ baskets. This bread with homemade apple butter. Will do again.
It’s good!
Mini loaves wrapped & ready to give as party favors. These are really, really good and easy to make.
Hi Julie, I did a test batch last night. First problem, I overfilled the pans (I thought I left an inch but I guess I was off) so they overflowed and I have a nice mess in my oven. My fault! Anyway, my question is, I had a hard time swirling in the sugar mixture — the dough is thick and the pans are small. It kind of just swirled on top but not throughout the bread. Where are the stripes supposed to be — on top or throughout the bread? I didn’t get stripes. It was delicious nonetheless and I will be making next week for hostess gifts!
I’m so sorry! I stick a knife into the bread until it reaches the bottom and zigzag it, but if you prefer to blend the mixture in, you can do that, too and just sprinkle a little on top to garnish for a glisten. Enjoy!
Hi Julie…I was wondering if you’ve ever put the loaves into cellophane bags? I was in Michael’s today and the girl said theirs (4x2x9.5”) wouldn’t fit. So, not sure where you’d get them. I wonder if bulk barn would have them? I’m not sure what size one would need?
Yes and I actually buy them from Michael’s. They have several near the cake and candy decorating section with 5” wide ones that fit perfect. I think I have a photo in my almond bread post of them wrapped in cellophane. I also have linked in several of my bread posts the ones I purchase from amazon. Enjoy!
I love this bread. However I know it as French Tea Cake
I’ve never heard it called that! Thanks for sharing!
I might just have to keep all the loaves to myself. 😉 But seriously, I can’t wait to make these as gifts!
It looks amazing and I love the presentation. It looks simple which is my best kind of baking.
This bread is amazingly good and soo easy!
Simple, delicious, and festive! Thank you!
Such a classic recipe and the perfect neighbor gift! I have made these for the last few years and these little mini loaves are a big hit!
In the recipe on the computer for cinnamon bread it states in the topping directions 1Tbsp & 1tsp cinnamon. What is the 1 Tbsp? I really want to make this bread for Christmas, Thank you.
Dorothy Bentley
This cinnamon bread was so easy! I haven’t baked a lot of breads and was nervous, but it came out perfect.
Everyone raved about this bread! I’ll definitely be making it again to gift to teachers next month!
This literally looks like the best recipe ever. It would be perfect for the holidays and it’s totally going down in my house.
I would love to get this delicious treat as a gift!
Great idea! Cinnamon bread is so yummy!
What a wonderful gift!! It looks SO delicious!!!
So cute! I’ll have to check out my Michael’s!
What a delicious neighbor gift idea!
I’m a firm believer food is love, and giving something like this for the holiday’s is my jam! Thank you for the idea!
I made this,this morning. Yummy!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share and rate it, I truly appreciate it!
Has anyone tried using less sugar? My kids loved this bread but I’m worried about that much sugar!
We enjoy it as is, but you can adapt in any way you choose!
This bread is SO good! I will be making this for food gifts!
This has been my go to gift recipe three years in a row now!
This bread is so easy, it’s become a weekend staple.
I’ve made this bread several times now – it’s so good!
I just made these loaves to give as gifts. This recipe is delicious! If I am not gifting them for a couple days, should I store them in the fridge? Or will they be ok at room temperature? I planned to wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in gallon bags.
Thanks!
They keep well in just seran wrap. Merry Christmas!
Can you use sour cream in place of the milk?
I haven’t tested it, but let me know if you do!
Do you suggest taking them out of the pans for cooling so they don’t steam and become soggy? I’m using the aluminum mini loaf pans 5 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 2 (in the oven right now sms smells wonderful!) and I only got five loaves from this recipe even though I filled them as directed. I’ll just have to make another batch to get one for the sixth neighbor which will leave extra for me!
You win Christmas! Sorry about that, any change in loaf pan size changes the yield, but the upside is that it uses staple ingredients and you have bonus loaves! I wouldn’t remove them from pans to cool. They don’t become soggy, but remain really moist and delicious. Enjoy!
Hi there! Can you take these out of the loaf pan or will they be too moist?
You absolutely can! Enjoy!
I just purchased these cardboard loaf pans they are safe to bake at 250 your recipe temperature is 350 can I still use them? They are 7in 3.4in 1.81in
Would you know how long they would take to bake? Do you still grease them.
You’ll likely need to reduce the temperature and bake time. I’d still grease them. Are there instructions on the package you bought?
Also, I added a layer of cinnamon in the middle of the bread. Maybe that effected the cooking? After 45 minutes one half of one side of the loaf was raw dough?
That wouldn’t – but it does depend on the size loaf pan you use – if you adjust loaf pan size, you have to adjust bake time and use the toothpick trick.
Hello!!
I made dough and saved some for the next day to cook another 8 inch loaf and I noticed cooking the bread the next day really turned out differently? Took longer to cook and consistency different? Is this dough not meant to be refrigerated over night?
~April
To be honest, I don’t recommend refrigerating dough. It can change the consistency of the dough and it’s no longer at room temperature. I hope you enjoyed the initial loaf – it’s one of our favorites!
I am not much of a baker, but I have made these so many times I have the recipe memorized. My fiance loves them, and when I bring them to work they are gone within an hour. They are so easy and SO delicious. For those that are interested, I mix it up a smidge by ising Turbinado Cane sugar for the cinnamon/sugar topping, and I add vanilla to the batter. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Thanks for sharing, I’m so glad you enjoy it as well! Have a beautiful week!
Hi julie,
This recipe looks so good, I’m gotta try It this weekend. I just want to clarify is it plain flour or self raising. Thank you.
I always use all purpose flour. Enjoy!
Can you add nuts to this recipe?
Of course! Enjoy!
Im wondering if you can replace the oil with applesauce. For a much healthier version. Any ideas on that?/
I haven’t tested it, but if you try it, let me know!
i have a question…How do you know when the loaves are done? Do you use the toothpick test? I can’t wait to try the recipe!
I do! Enjoy!
Do you know if Michael’s still has these ceramic loaf pans? They are too cute!
They do!
This recipe looks delicious and just what I was searching for! Looking for Christmas gifts for the teachers in our life, I found some gourmet hot chocolate at Home Goods and thought to pair it with a homemade cinnamon bread. Thank you for posting this, albeit so many years ago! I love the internet. 😉
I am wondering about something, though… Have you ever made this using butter instead of the oil? If so, did you use a 1-to-1 ratio of oil to melted butter or did you perhaps use a smudge more melted butter? How did it turn out? Thank you in advance!
I haven’t – I always make it with oil, but I would think it would be delicious with butter {see my meltaway muffins}. Unfortunately, I haven’t tested it.
I wanted to let you know that I ended up making the recipe, only substituting the melted butter for the oil, and it turned out wonderfully! Very moist, dense but still crumbly. Delicious! I’m so happy to have this recipe – thank you. Fwiw, I used 3/4 cup of melted butter to compensate a bit for the loss of fat from not using oil. As a result I used room-temperature eggs and warm milk so the butter would not solidify when added to the wet mixture. ☺
That’s great to hear, Karen! Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
You had me at “Cinnamon”! Love it!! Can’t wait to try this recipe. Your presentation is beautiful.
Thank you, Celia! It’s great to see you! Have a beautiful weekend.
I cut the recipe in half because I didn’t want to make a lot, is it supposed to make a rather dense batter?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of baking powder, is this correct?
Yes!Enjoy!
I would like to bake 1 large loaf of cinnamon bread … would this be possible?
I don’t have the ceramic loaf pans, I’m going shopping for them as soon as I can.
thank you for your recipes!!
????
Hi Tina! Any size and type of loaf pan will do. If you use a large loaf pan, it will yield one and you’ll need to increase the baking time. Enjoy!
Do I use all purpose flour or self rising? Thank you!
I always use all purpose. Enjoy!
This is probably a silly question, but I am not much of a cook. Are you baking all 6 loaves at one time or each loaf for 40 minutes? If you do all 6 at once, do line them up side by side in the oven? Thanks for your help!
At the same time. You can put them directly on the oven rack or line them up on a cookie sheet. Enjoy!
Hi Julie, I just happen to have about 20 of these little ceramic loaf pans that I bought at Michaels last year after Christmas for about 25 cents each. This is perfect timing for me to use your recipes. My question is about gifting them. Are you letting them cool completely in the ceramic pans and just leaving them in the pans for gifts, or are you removing them to cool, washing your pans again and the putting the loaves back in. I just have a fear that, “what if the receiver” can,t get the loaf out of the pan? What would you do or suggest?
It’s not an issue at all, just let them cool, add cellophane and/or a ribbon and it’s ready to gift! I grease as j do any baking dish. PS, I’m envious of the steal you purchased them for.
I can’t seem to find these loaf pans at Michael’s or on their website. Can someone help? Looking to do something similar for my sister’s baby shower as a favor.
They used to carry them year round & now I believe it’s just seasonally. Target & Michael’s should have paper loaf pans year round.
I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but the middle of my loafs are still gooey
If you’re using larger loaf pans, you’ll need to increase your baking time. You may also need to adjust based on your oven. This bread is very moist, but not dough-like, when removed from the oven.
Julie,
You are such an inspiration! I made these today for my children’s teachers as a holiday gift and they turned out super cute. I actually got 10 out of 1 recipe! Thank you for the wonderful ideas!
Thanks, Sylvia! Glad you enjoyed them! I hope you kept a loaf for yourself!
Thank you….Happy Holidays to you, as well!
Do you think it would work as well in those little decorative “bake in the pan” cardboard type loaf pans?? I believe they are about 6″ or so. Thanks!
Absolutely! Just watch for baking time…it tends to go a little quicker in those, so I’d check on them 10 minutes early. Happy Holidays, Vivian!
Wondering if I should bake them in the pans I boughtÉ
You won’t be disappointed! Let me know if I can help!
Thank you for answering my question i will try and mail these some day. Does it make a difference what kind of milk you use fat free,skim milk or whole milk ?
Can you use fat free milk or do you have to use whole milk ? Thank you so much for answering me before i am going to make up some of these for my older children.
It doesn’t really, fuller milk has a hint more flavor. I just shared how to mail cookies – you may enjoy that post as well! Happy Holidays!
I’d love to make this and never do anything baking but am already confused with the instructions. Why are there two separate sugar portions – one for 2 cups and the other for 2/3 cups. Am I missing something? thank you!
I’m sorry, Ann! If you don’t bake often, this is a GREAT recipe! It’s a no fail…the second sugar is for the cinnamon sugar topping. You could easily put it all in together, I just love having the crunchy topping. Enjoy!
Does it freeze well? I’m planning on making some for gifts (I’ve got plans for at least 2, but I can create a list of more) and I may want to freeze the loaves after they are baked before I gift them. And then if I can freeze them, what is the reheating temps?
It does, but I would just let them thaw, warm them & serve them with butter. I’ll be honest, they don’t last long around our house! It melts in your mouth!
I was wondering if you could mail these loafs in the pan if you wrap them real good with a cling wrap. i would like to send some to my kids.
I would wrap them in bubble wrap, inside a Priority USPS box. That’s what I use when shipping baked goods. Add in peanuts to fill the box so it doesn’t move during transport.
just wondered what size pans you used to make these loaves of bread?
Thanks for any info!
H
I’ve never seen a size on them, but they’re at Michael’s again this year. They’re about 6″ long. Enjoy!
Great idea for a Xmas Gift or a gift for anytime. A gift from the heart made by your hand full of “Love, Awesome and most of all Scrumptious”
I love this recipe! I just made 4 loaves for my coworkers and 1 large one for my family – all turned out amazing! Thanks so much for sharing, I am so happy to have found this!
Thanks for sharing, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Happy holidays!
I am far from a domestic diva so this may be a silly question…but is there a reason you didn’t just add the cinnamon/sugar combo to the dough itself instead of just sprinkling a layer of it in the middle when you put it in the pan? I’m thinking of making this for holiday gifts and giving it with a little jar of homemade apple butter 🙂
Mindy, you could just mix it in, but it’s more flavorful in “stripes” from being swirled in. You will LOVE this!
Might you know how I could turn this into a pumpkin bread recipe? I made this a few times now and it is delicious! I’ve been wanting a “tried-and-true” bread recipe that I can turn into a delicious pumpkin bread recipe somehow.
I wish I did, however, I’m not a fan of pumpkin, so have never tried. I’m so glad you love this recipe as much as we do!
No worries! I found something online that said to replace each egg with 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin puree, and use the equivalent of oil (so 2/3 cup of canned pumpkin for the 2/3 cup of oil). So it’d be 1 & 1/6 cup of pumpkin puree in place of the eggs and oil, or 1 cup, 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp. I’m going to try it today!!
Let me know how it is!
Debra, we make this all the time for breakfast because it’s easy and delicious!
Great idea!! I’m totally doing these for next Christmas as gifts to all of my neighbors. Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!
– Debra Carlson
Christmas gift ideas easy cinnamon bread. Know all about it
Don’t forget to bake a loaf for yourself as well!
I knew I was going to bake bread for presants this year, thanks for the great ideas.
4 c flour – 2 cups sugar, plus another 2/3 for the cinnamon mixture. It’s so moist-even a few days later.
In the instructions it said 4c of sugar….is that really right?
This bread sounds so good!
Thanks for posting….
Carol
lol – perfect
Confession: 5 loaves are being gifted, 1 has been eaten.
I don’t think I’ve had cinnamon bread before but I am a huge cinnamon fan,..and come to think of it I’m a huge bread (any carbs really) fan as well. I’m sure this would be great. Love the little dishes!