Cinnamon Roll Bread

I absolutely love the flavor of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The thing I absolutely do not love about cinnamon rolls? The time it takes to prep and cook them. Enter this ridiculously easy recipe for cinnamon roll bread. Like all easy quick bread recipes, this recipe requires no yeast, so there’s no need to wait for the dough to rise. You can prep and bake a loaf in under an hour.

The moist and flavorful bread is a perfect make-ahead breakfast recipe and can be served alongside other easy breakfast ideas like scrambled eggs and bacon. It’s also a delicious afternoon pick-me-up when you need a little sugar kick to make it through the end of the workday.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Bread

• Butter: Unsalted butter is a great choice in this recipe since the ingredients list also calls for salt. If you forgot to soften the butter, try grating it on a box grater to soften butter quickly.
• Sugar: You can use all granulated sugar or a mixture of granulated and brown sugars.
• Egg: Eggs help bind the other ingredients together. For the best results, use a room-temperature egg. It will incorporate more easily into the batter than a cold egg.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is the best type of flour for quick bread recipes. To make a gluten-free loaf, use your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
• Leavening agents: Quick breads use baking powder and baking soda to make a loaf rise as it bakes. It’s a good idea to test baking powder and baking soda to ensure they aren’t past their expiration dates, which could prevent the bread from rising properly.
• Buttermilk: The acidity of buttermilk activates the baking soda, providing lift to the bread. The tangy flavor of buttermilk also complements the sweet cinnamon flavor of the bread. If you don’t have buttermilk, whisk 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice with enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let the mixture stand for five minutes.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is the star of the show in this quick bread recipe. You can experiment with the different types of cinnamon. Vietnamese or Saigon cinnamon is a good choice for adding bold flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cream the egg mixture

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat the butter, 1 cup sugar and egg until blended.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk.

Step 3: Make the cinnamon sugar

In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and the remaining sugar.

Step 4: Layer the batter

Pour a third of the batter into a greased 8×4-inch loaf pan, and sprinkle the batter with a third of the cinnamon sugar. Repeat the layers twice.

Step 5: Bake the cinnamon roll bread

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing the bread from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Variations

• Top it with a glaze: What’s a cinnamon roll without a sweet glaze? To go all-in on the cinnamon roll flavor, drizzle the cooled loaf with a quick vanilla glaze. Or, use the cream cheese frosting from our cinnamon rolls recipe.
• Add fruity flavor: Stir in 1/2 cup mashed bananas, 1 cup fresh blueberries, or 1 cup fresh peeled and chopped apples for a fresh fruit spin.
• Go nuts with nuts: Stir in 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a little added crunch.
• Use pumpkin pie spice: Swap in pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon to create a loaf with fall vibes.

How to Store Cinnamon Roll Bread

Store leftover cinnamon roll bread in an airtight container at room temperature. We don’t recommend storing quick breads in the refrigerator, as they can dry out.

How long does cinnamon roll bread last?

Cinnamon roll bread lasts for up to five days at room temperature or up to three months in the freezer.

Can you freeze cinnamon roll bread?

Quick breads like cinnamon roll bread are perfect for freezing. You can freeze the loaf whole or in individual pieces. To freeze, first allow the bread to cool completely. Then, wrap the loaf or single slices tightly in a layer of storage wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Place the wrapped bread in a large freezer-safe bag, and freeze it for up to three months. To thaw, place the frozen bread in the refrigerator overnight.

How do you reheat cinnamon roll bread?

To reheat a whole loaf, place the cinnamon roll bread in a 350° oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed through. To reheat a single slice in the microwave, place a slice of bread on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.

Cinnamon Roll Bread Tips

How do you make sure cinnamon roll bread stays moist?

To ensure that cinnamon roll bread stays moist after baking, store it at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator. To help the bread retain moisture without becoming soggy, line an airtight container with paper towel. Set the loaf on top of a piece of paper towel, cover the bread with another piece of paper towel and seal the container tightly with a lid.

What else can you serve with cinnamon roll bread?

Although cinnamon roll bread is quite delicious on its own, you can also serve it with a pat of lightly salted butter, a schmear of whipped cream cheese, or a thin (or thick!) layer of ricotta cheese. If you’re feeling extra decadent, we highly recommend serving cinnamon roll bread with a big dollop of cream cheese frosting.

How do you know when cinnamon roll bread is done?

Cinnamon roll bread is finished baking when a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean and does not have any batter stuck to it. To avoid overcooking the bread, you can start checking for doneness around the 40-minute mark.