🍞 Cinnamon Swirl Crunch Bread (Soft, Sweet & Perfectly Cozy!)

Cinnamon Swirl Crunch(y top) Bread

This Cinnamon Swirl Crunch Bread is a beloved favorite in our house—soft, tender homemade bread with a buttery cinnamon swirl running through the center and a crackly cinnamon‑sugar topping that bakes into the most irresistible crunch. It smells like a bakery the moment it hits the oven and tastes like a cross between cinnamon rolls and classic sweet bread. Whether you enjoy it warm with butter, toasted for breakfast, or sliced thick for snacking, this loaf never lasts long.

⭐ Ingredients

Oven: 350°F
Pan: Greased loaf pan

Dough

• 2 cups warm liquid (100°F–110°F) — milk or water (milk adds more flavor)

• ¼ cup sugar

• 3 tsp salt

• 1½ tbsp active dry yeast

• ¼ cup liquid fat (oil, melted butter, or melted margarine for a vegan option)

• 5–7 cups flour (AP, bread, whole wheat, or a mix — AP works best)

Cinnamon Swirl Filling

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• ¼ cup softened butter or margarine

Crunch Topping

• ¼ cup melted butter or margarine

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp all‑purpose flour

🥣 Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the warm liquid, yeast, and half the sugar. Let bloom for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the remaining sugar, salt, and fat. Stir gently.

3. Add 4 cups of flour and mix. Add more flour as needed until the dough is soft, slightly sticky, and pulls away from the bowl.

4. Knead for 10 minutes (stand mixer or by hand).

5. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size—about 1 hour in a warm spot.

2. Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

3. Shape the Bread

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into two portions.
   (This dough is incredibly versatile—use the second half for sandwich bread, buns, pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, or garlic pull‑apart bread.)

2. Roll one portion into a ¼‑inch thick square.

3. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.

4. Roll up tightly, as you would for cinnamon rolls.

5. Slice the roll lengthwise, keeping the top end attached.

6. Twist the two strands together like a braid and tuck the ends underneath.

4. Second Rise

Place the twisted loaf into a greased loaf pan, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes in the oven with the light on (heat off).

5. Add the Crunch Topping

Mix together the melted butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour, then spread over the top of the risen loaf.

6. Bake

Bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes on a lined baking sheet (to catch any cinnamon drips).
The top should be golden and the kitchen will smell heavenly.

7. Cool & Serve

Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool another 15 minutes before slicing.

💡 Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Swirl Bread

• Use milk for a richer, more tender loaf.

• Don’t skip the crunch topping—it adds incredible texture.

• Slice thick and enjoy warm with butter or cream cheese.

• This dough freezes beautifully for future baking projects.

Cinnamon Swirl Crunch Bread