Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon-Ribbon Bread

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Cinnamon Sugar Bread โ€” This brown sugar cinnamon bread is light and fluffy in the middle, with a crusty cinnamon-sugar exterior thatโ€™s reminiscent of a streusel topping! The ribbon of cinnamon sugar that runs through the middle is a perfect touch! Easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe!!

sliced loaf of Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon Swirl Bread

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    Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread Recipe

    This brown sugar cinnamon bread is so fast and easy to make and comes together in 5 minutes with a whisk, in one bowl. I love it when I donโ€™t have to drag out my mixer because it would seem to defeat the purpose of calling a bread a โ€˜quick breadโ€™ if the ingredients need to be creamed, creating more dishes. Nothing quick about that!

    The same cinnamon-sugar mixture thatโ€™s sprinkled on top before baking is also sprinkled into the batter, creating a cinnamon-sugar swirl in the middle of the loaf. The only way to create that thick, delectable, wall of sweet crust on top is to sprinkle cinnamon-sugar generously over the surface before baking.

    Not all of it adheres to the bread and youโ€™ll have to remind your kids and husband to โ€˜Please, eat over your plate.โ€™ And remind yourself, too, so that youโ€™re not recreating a sandy beach on your kitchen floor with the stray cinnamon-sugar granules.

    sliced Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon Swirl Bread on cutting board

    The ribbon of cinnamon-sugar that floats through the interior provides another pop of flavor. The cinnamon flavor is present and notable, but itโ€™s not overwhelming. Feel free to add more if youโ€™re a true fiend.

    The bread is flavorful enough that it doesnโ€™t need butter, but if youโ€™re so inclined toasting it and smearing liberally with butter takes it from really good to gobble-the-whole-loaf supremely good. Our toaster got a workout and has the cinnamon-sugar bits stuck in the crumb tray to show for it.

    Such an easy bread to make with great results, no kneading and no fuss. From start to finish, this should go from cupboard and into your mouth in under an hour.

    slice of Cinnamon Swirl Bread

    Cinnamon Sugar Bread Ingredients

    For this cinnamon sugar quick bread recipe, youโ€™ll need:

    • Granulated sugar
    • Cinnamon
    • Unsalted butter
    • Egg
    • Light brown sugar
    • Canola oil
    • Vanilla extract
    • Buttermilk
    • All-purpose flour
    • Ground nutmeg
    • Baking soda
    • Salt

    Can I Use a Buttermilk Substitute?

    If you donโ€™t normally keep buttermilk on hand, you can cheat and make some with regular milk by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk and waiting for about 10 minutes.

    Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

    crusty cinnamon bread loaf

    How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Bread

    This cinnamon swirl quick bread is super simple to make! Hereโ€™s a look at how the bread is prepared:

    1. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Set aside. 
    2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla, followed by the buttermilk.
    3. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until just combined. 
    4. Turn HALF the bread batter into a greased 9ร—5-inch loaf pan and sprinkle three-quarters of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over top. Top with the remaining batter and sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over top.
    5. Bake your cinnamon swirl bread until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    cinnamon bread with cinnamon swirl filling

    Tips for Making Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread

    When making the quick bread batter, itโ€™s important that you give the melted butter a couple minutes to cool down before mixing it in with the other wet ingredients. If you mix everything together all at once, you might wind up accidentally scrambling the egg with the hot butter. 

    The cinnamon bread batter will be a little lumpy, and thatโ€™s totally normal. Donโ€™t try to stir out all the lumps, otherwise youโ€™ll over work the batter and your bread wonโ€™t be as fluffy once baked. 

    Lastly, for easier cleanup I recommend inverting the bread over your kitchen sink or a paper towel since some of the cinnamon-sugar topping will fall off when you remove the loaf from the pan. 

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I Use a Smaller Loaf Pan? 

    No, an 8ร—4-inch loaf pan will be too small for this cinnamon quick bread recipe. You must use a 9ร—5-inch pan for this recipe. 

    Can I Freeze This Bread? 

    Yes, cinnamon sugar bread freezes really well. Let it cool to room temperature, then pop it into a freezer bag or wrap it in multiple layers of plastic wrap. When youโ€™re ready to eat the frozen loaf, set it on the counter overnight to thaw. 

    Can I Add Mix-Ins to the Batter? 

    Most likely, yes! Raisins or chopped nuts would both be great in this cinnamon swirl bread. Youโ€™d only want to add about 3/4 cup of mix-ins total, otherwise your bread will overflow in the oven.  

    Can I Make This Recipe Into Muffins? 

    Yes, Iโ€™ve made this into muffins before and they turned out beautifully! Youโ€™ll want to check your muffins around the 18-minute mark and bake a minute or two more at a time until you figure out the exact amount of time they should be in the oven. Youโ€™ll know your muffins are done baking when theyโ€™re golden and springy to the touch. 

    Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon Swirl Bread โ€” This cinnamon swirl bread is light and fluffy in the middle with a crusty cinnamon-sugar exterior that's reminiscent of a streusel topping! The ribbon of cinnamon sugar that runs through the middle is a perfect touch! Easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe!!

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    4.44 from 48 votes

    Swirled Cinnamon Sugar Bread

    By Averie Sunshine
    This cinnamon swirl bread is light and fluffy in the middle with a crusty cinnamon-sugar exterior that's reminiscent of a streusel topping.
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Cooling Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings:
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    Ingredients 

    Cinnamon Sugar

    • โ…“ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

    Bread

    • ยผ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
    • ยผ cup canola or vegetable oil
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ยพ teaspoon baking soda
    • pinch salt, optional and to taste
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    Instructions 

    • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside (donโ€™t use an 8-by-4-inch pan; itโ€™s too small)
    • In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup granulated sugar with the cinnamon and stir to incorporate; set aside.
    • In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 1 minute. After the butter has cooled momentarily (so you donโ€™t scramble the egg), add the egg, brown sugar, oil, vanilla, and whisk to combine. Add the buttermilk and whisk to incorporate.
    • Add the flour, nutmeg, baking soda, optional salt, and stir until just combined; donโ€™t overmix. Batter will be thick and lumpy. Donโ€™t try to stir the lumps smooth.
    • Pour half the batter into prepared pan, smoothing it lightly with a spatula. Sprinkle three-fourths (75%) of the cinnamon-sugar mixture (just eyeball it), distributed evenly over the surface of the batter. This creates the cinnamon ribbon.
    • Top with remaining half of the batter, smoothing it lightly with a spatula. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture, distributed evenly over the top. It looks like a lot, but itโ€™s necessary to form the crust, and not all of it aheres.
    • Bake for 45 to 55 minutes (mine took 50), or until top is set and firm, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow bread to cool in pan for about 15 minutes before inverting.
    • Invert bread over the sink or a paper towel to catch some of the non-adhered cinnamon-sugar and sprinkle it back on the bread. Place bread on wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days, or may be frozen for up to 3 months. Makes wonderful toast.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1, Calories: 249kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 140mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    More Cinnamon Sugar Desserts: 

    Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Twists โ€“ Baked in a muffin pan and made with refrigerated dough to save time, youโ€™re going to LOVE how FAST and EASY these finger-lickinโ€™ sweet pretzel bites are!

    Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Twists - Baked in a muffin pan and made with refrigerated dough to save time, you're going to LOVE how FAST and EASY these finger-lickin' sweet pretzel bites are! A simple powdered sugar glaze makes pulling apart this buttery soft pretzel dough coated with cinnamon and sugar just irresistible! 

    Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread โ€” Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping!

    Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread

    Snickerdoodle Bread โ€” Between the cinnamon-sugar on top, cinnamon in the batter, and the cinnamon chips, the bread is full of wonderful and prominent cinnamon flavor without being overpowering.

    Snickerdoodle Bread

    Cinnamon Coffee Cake โ€” Between the cinnamon-sugar crust AND the cinnamon-sugar swirled through the center, this EASY coffee cake is IRRESISTIBLE!! Soft, fluffy, light, and of course itโ€™s perfect with coffee!!

    slice of cinnamon coffee cake on white plate

    Honey Bun Cake โ€” Tastes like a Honey Bun in cake form!! Sweet, rich, decadent, and reminds me of the Honey Buns I used to eat as a kid! Fast and EASY!!

    Honey Bun Cake โ€” Tastes like a Honey Bun in cake form!! Sweet, rich, decadent, and reminds me of the Honey Buns I used to eat as a kid! Fast and EASY!!

    Glazed Cinnamon Roll Cake โ€” The flavor of cinnamon rolls in a soft, tender, EASY cake!! One bowl, no mixer, and youโ€™re going to love the tangy-sweet GLAZE!!

    cinnamon roll cake on a white plate

    Originally published April 24, 2013 and republished October 2, 2020 with updated text.

    4.44 from 48 votes (46 ratings without comment)

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    Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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    Comments

      1. Thanks for the 5 star review, Sabah, and Iโ€™m glad to hear this is a longtime favorite of yours and youโ€™re making it again today!