Cinnamon Streusel Bread: The Ultimate Recipe for a Perfect Swirl

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Cinnamon Streusel Bread wafting through your home. It’s a comforting scent that promises a delicious treat, blending a soft, fluffy bread with a sweet, buttery cinnamon swirl, all crowned with a crunchy, irresistible streusel topping. This recipe is your ultimate guide to achieving that perfect, bakery-quality loaf right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re enjoying a slice with your morning coffee or as a delightful afternoon snack, this bread is sure to become a family favorite.

We’ve designed this recipe to be straightforward and foolproof, breaking down each step to ensure your success. From activating the yeast to layering the cinnamon filling and crumbling the perfect streusel, you’ll find every instruction clear and easy to follow. Get ready to bake a loaf that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Streusel Bread Recipe

• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of a rich, buttery dough, a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a crunchy streusel topping creates a truly unforgettable taste experience.
• Amazingly Soft Texture: This bread has a tender, pillowy crumb that melts in your mouth, providing the perfect contrast to the crisp topping.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s a wonderful treat for a special breakfast, a brunch gathering, or even as a dessert. For another brunch favorite, try these Sausage and Cheese Sheet Pan Pancakes.
• Surprisingly Simple: Despite its impressive appearance, the process is broken down into easy-to-manage steps, making it accessible even for beginner bakers.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Let’s break down what you’ll need for each component.

For the Bread Dough:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our soft bread.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast: The leavening agent that makes the bread rise and gives it a light, airy texture.
• Whole Milk: Adds richness and moisture. Ensure it’s lukewarm (around 110°F) to properly activate the yeast.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds flavor and creates a tender crumb.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the flavors.

For the Cinnamon Swirl Filling:

• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter acts as the glue for the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show, providing that classic warm spice flavor.

For the Streusel Topping:

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the crumble.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight molasses flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Enhances the overall cinnamon theme.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed, this is what creates the crumbly, crunchy texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Cinnamon Streusel Bread

Follow these detailed steps to create the perfect loaf. We’ll walk through preparing the dough, the filling, the topping, and the final assembly.

1. Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, a tablespoon of the granulated sugar, and the active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Add the remaining granulated sugar, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine.
3. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead on medium speed for 6-8 minutes.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, it’s the perfect time to prepare your filling and streusel topping.

2. Mix the Filling and Topping

1. For the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined into a smooth paste.
2. For the Streusel Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms. Place the streusel in the refrigerator to keep it cold until you’re ready to use it.

3. Assemble and Bake the Bread

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle, approximately 10×14 inches.
3. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Starting from one of the shorter ends, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it securely.
5. Place the log seam-side down into the prepared loaf pan.
6. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping evenly over the top of the loaf.
7. Cover the loaf pan loosely and let it rest for another 30 minutes for a second rise.
8. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, you can tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
9. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. For a sweet treat with a similar flavor profile, check out this Cinnamon Roll Protein Muffin recipe.

Expert Tips for Success

Making homemade Cinnamon Streusel Bread is a rewarding process. Here are a few tips to ensure your loaf turns out perfectly every time.

• Check Your Yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh and properly activated. If the yeast and milk mixture doesn’t get foamy, the yeast may be old, and your bread won’t rise.
• Don’t Over-Knead: Knead the dough just until it’s smooth and elastic. Over-kneading can result in a tough, dense bread.
• Use Cold Butter for Streusel: Using cold butter is key to a crunchy, crumbly streusel. If the butter is too warm, the topping will melt rather than crumble.
• Let It Cool: As tempting as it is to slice into the warm bread, letting it cool completely allows the crumb to set, making it much easier to slice without squishing. If you love baking, you might also enjoy these Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies.

How to Store Your Bread

To keep your Cinnamon Streusel Bread fresh, store it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it at room temperature before serving.

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Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the dough and let it go through its first rise, then cover it and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, let it come to room temperature for about 30-45 minutes before proceeding with the assembly and second rise.

a

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Absolutely. If using instant yeast, you can skip the initial proofing step and mix it directly with your dry ingredients. The rise times may also be slightly shorter.

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How do I store cinnamon streusel bread to keep it fresh?

To maintain freshness, store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

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What is the difference between cinnamon swirl bread and cinnamon streusel bread?

The main difference is the topping. Cinnamon swirl bread has a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture swirled throughout the loaf, while cinnamon streusel bread has both the internal swirl and a crunchy, crumbly topping made from flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon.

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Why did my cinnamon streusel bread turn out dry?

Dryness in bread is often caused by adding too much flour or over-baking. Be sure to measure your flour correctly (spooning it into the measuring cup is best) and check for doneness at the lower end of the baking time.

Your New Favorite Recipe!

This Cinnamon Streusel Bread recipe is a true delight, perfect for sharing with family and friends. The combination of soft bread, gooey cinnamon swirl, and crunchy topping is simply irresistible. We hope you love baking—and eating—this delicious treat. If you try it, let us know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest!

Cinnamon Streusel Bread Recipe

Cinnamon Streusel Bread: The Ultimate Recipe for a Perfect Swirl

This Cinnamon Streusel Bread recipe guides you through creating a perfectly soft loaf with a sweet cinnamon swirl and a crunchy, buttery streusel topping. A foolproof guide for a delicious, bakery-quality treat at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Bread Dough

• 2.75 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 0.25 cup Granulated Sugar
• 2.25 tsp Active Dry Yeast one 1/4-ounce packet
• 1 cup Whole Milk lukewarm (110-115°F)
• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter melted
• 1 Large Egg room temperature
• 0.5 tsp Salt

For the Cinnamon Filling

• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter softened
• 0.5 cup Brown Sugar packed
• 1.5 tbsp Ground Cinnamon

For the Streusel Topping

• 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 0.25 cup Brown Sugar packed
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter cold and cubed

Equipment

• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 1 9x5 inch loaf pan
• 1 Wire cooling rack

Instructions

 

Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine lukewarm milk, 1 tbsp of granulated sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine.
3. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes (or 6-8 minutes in a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Mix Filling and Topping

1. For the filling: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a smooth paste.
2. For the streusel: In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed butter with your fingertips until a coarse crumble forms. Refrigerate until needed.

Assemble and Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. Punch down the risen dough. On a floured surface, roll it into a 10x14 inch rectangle.
3. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Roll up tightly from a short end and pinch the seam to seal.
4. Place the log seam-down in the loaf pan. Sprinkle the chilled streusel on top.
5. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes for a second rise.
6. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.
7. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Ensure your milk is lukewarm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
For a clean slice, wait until the bread is completely cool.