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Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | January 31, 2021 15 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Ah, Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread. I made it. Ate it. Loved it. I think you’ll love it, too! Here’s the easy (yes, easy) recipe for this hand-made loaf that is delicious, decorative, and downright addicting:

The recipe begins with the ingredients for Basic White Bread. To watch me make the dough — and to learn how to properly knead yeast dough by hand —  click here.

And…to watch me make Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread right before your very eyes, click the “play” arrow above! Scroll down for the printable recipe.

Now, just to recap, here are the basic steps for making Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread:

In a mixing bowl, stir together some water, yeast, sugar, milk, shortening (or softened butter), salt, and flour. All-purpose flour works fine here, but you may certainly use bread flour if you have it on hand.

Now roll up your sleeves, and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic — about 8 minutes.

Put the dough in a warm-ish location until it doubles in volume — about 90 minutes.

Deflate the dough, and then pat it into a rough rectangle on a non-floured surface.

Then grab your rolling pin, and roll the dough into a rectangle that is 9 inches wide and approximately 18 inches long.

On top of the rectangle, sprinkle on a generous layer of ground cinnamon. The more cinnamon you use, the more pronounced the aromatic brown swirls will be.

Then add some sugar…

And some raisins! (Hate raisins? Omit them, and just make “Cinnamon Swirl Bread” instead!)

Next, starting at one of the short (9-inch) ends, tightly roll the rectangle into a cylinder. Pinch the seam to seal it.

Drop the dough seam-side-down into a lightly greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Then lightly spray the top of the dough with vegetable spray, and cover it loosely with cling film.  Let the dough rest until it has doubled in volume — 30-45 minutes. Halfway through rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F.

Bake the loaf until the top browns attractively, and your whole house smells like a high-end bakery (what an inviting scent that is!) — 25-30 minutes.

Immediately unmold the loaf onto a wire rack, and then brush a little melted butter over the top crust.

When the loaf has cooled to room temperature, cut a nice fat slice, and enjoy it with coffee or tea! For an extra-special treat, toast a slice and top it with butter. YUM.

True Confession: To test the recipe, I made this Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread 3 times in the past 3 days.

Another Confession: In the past 3 days, I have eaten — all by my lonesome — 2 1/2 of the aforementioned loaves. The remaining bread will be consumed while I type out the following printable recipe. (Oink.)

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Here’s the printable:

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread

My own version of this classic, highly-aromatic bread.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Resting time for the dough:2 hrs
Course: bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • Basic White Bread dough (linked below)
  • Non-stick vegetable spray
  • 1-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2-3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 cups raisins (no need to soak first)
  • Optional: melted butter for brushing the finished loaf

Instructions

  • Mix and knead the Basic White Bread dough (click here for the recipe). Put the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover the bowl with cling film, and let the dough rise until it has doubled in volume -- about 90 minutes.
  • Punch down the dough to deflate it. Then transfer the dough to a non-floured work surface. Use your hands to pat the dough into a rough rectangle. Then, using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 9x18-inch rectangle. Top the rectangle with the cinnamon, then the sugar, then the raisins.
  • Starting at one of the short (9-inch) ends, roll the rectangle into a tight cylinder, and pinch the seam to seal it. Place the cylinder seam-side-down in a lightly-greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Lightly spray the top of the dough with vegetable spray, and then loosely cover with cling film. Let rise until doubled in volume -- 30-45 minutes.
  • Halfway through rising time, center the oven rack and preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the crust browns deeply, and loaf sounds hollow when rapped with your knuckles -- 25-30 minutes. Immediately unmold the loaf onto a wire rack, and -- if desired -- brush the top with melted butter. Cool completely before slicing.

 

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Comments

  1. 1

    Pat C says

    January 31, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    This looks amazing. It is snowing here in New Jersey. I will need to have bread in the oven. This checks all the boxes for a snowy day recipe!
    Thanks.
    PS I’m sure I’ll lose these extra pounds when I start spring cleaning in a few weeks!

  2. 2

    Carol says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    Hi Kevin, cinnamon bread is one of my favourites. You’ve made it look so easy, I’m going to try it. I’ll let you know.
    I love seeing your email Sunday mornings while drinking my coffee. How’s your foot?

  3. 3

    Linda Stoddard says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:11 pm

    Can you use a cinnamon sugar already mixed, or is it better to use cinnamon & then top with the sugar? Have you ever topped this loaf with cinnamon sugar after brushing it with the melted butter? I bought some from King Arthur & it is much mire refined than what you find in the grocery! It’s awesome on buttered toast, & in recipes.

  4. 4

    Danella on the Canadian west coast says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    Love, love, love bread. Your instructions and videos are great! Will be trying this today!

  5. 5

    Jay says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    Your efforts to test this recipe for our consumption are greatly appreciated!

  6. 6

    Paula Allen says

    January 31, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    You are a joy to watch….and …love your easy approach to recipes.!
    ❤️

  7. 7

    Susan says

    January 31, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Hi Kevin,
    Can I use my KitchenAid with the dough hook to knead the dough? Bum shoulder does not like to hand knead things…..sigh.

  8. 8

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 31, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Hi Susan – As mentioned in the video, you can absolutely use a stand mixer to mix and knead this dough. Enjoy!

  9. 9

    Marie Seaman says

    January 31, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    Looks delicious! I will try it.

    How is Binky doing? We haven’t seen her for a LONG time! She must be a CAT by now. I’d love to see her again some time.

  10. 10

    Susan says

    January 31, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    Hi Kevin, Thanks for your quick reply. Snowing like mad here and supposed to continue through tomorrow….while I am baking this bread!

  11. 11

    rosemary patterson says

    January 31, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    5 stars
    Rising in front of me as I type. Cinnamon raisin toast? Doesn’t get much better!

  12. 12

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 31, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    Hi Rosemary – I hope the bread turns out deliciously for you!

  13. 13

    Ruby says

    January 31, 2021 at 11:15 pm

    Hi Kevin, This looks so delicious and easy. I’m going to get a bread hook and try. I used to make bread all the time. Got a bum arm & haven’t made much lately. I love your videos, they are so helpful. Keep up the good work.

  14. 14

    Pam in Virginia says

    February 1, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    Hi, Kevin:

    What a perfect recipe to make while snowed in here in Virginia, though the plow has just gone by so I may be free again.

    I have just received my copy of your cookbook from Book Baby. It is just gorgeous and I am so excited to have this to read – and use. It was a birthday present to myself.

    Pam

  15. 15

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    February 2, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    Hi Pam – Thanks so much for ordering the cookbook! We are snowed-in here, as well. Baking weather!

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