cinnamon swirl bread

For years I've made my own bread.  Not exclusively.  I envy those who do, I just haven't been able to rhythm that into my life at this point.  I have a dinner roll recipe that is quick and I make them several times a week.  We love home-made pizza so I make it at least 3 times a month.  The crust is a quick yeast dough that turns out quite nice.  I've already shared my tortilla recipe.

Today I share my recipe for cinnamon bread.  This is wonderful fresh out of the oven, or toasted in the morning with butter for a quick breakfast.  If you already enjoy making bread I hope you like this recipe.  If you are not comfortable with the process I would encourage you to try this one.  Something about this loaf makes people very forgiving (perhaps the cinnamon and sugar) of imperfection!

Cinnamon Swirl Bread a la Debbie

1 1/2 cups water

1/3 cup butter

7 cups flour (+ or - as needed)

6 T sugar

2 t salt

4 1/2 t dry yeast (or 2 pkgs)

3 eggs (room temp.)

Filling

2 t cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

(I have a shaker that always has cinnamon and sugar)

3 T melted butter

1 egg white beaten

Combine water and butter in saucepan.  Heat over low heat until very warm (120-130 F.  It's okay if butter is not melted.  In a large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients including yeast.  Slowly mix in wet ingredients adding more flour if dough is too sticky (a softer dough makes for a better loaf so avoid going too crazy with the flour).  

Turn onto floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes.  Place in an oiled bowl, turning to grease the top.  Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 40 minutes.  

Turn dough onto work surface and cut in half.  Roll each half into a rectangle that fits the length of your bread pan.  Brush with melted butter and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar, coming right to the edge.  Roll jelly roll style, pinch bottom seam closed and gently pinch and tuck ends under.  Place loaves in greased pans.

Cover and allow to rise a second time 40 minutes.

Bake in 375 degree preheated oven for 40 minutes, remove bread and brush with beaten egg white.  Return to oven and cook for 5 more minutes.

Joining Farm Friend and Farm Girl Friday and Farm Friday

Blessings, Debbie