Home » The Best Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread | Easy Recipe

The Best Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread | Easy Recipe

One of the most comforting flavors of fall is cinnamon. This sourdough cinnamon swirl bread makes a delicious breakfast bread on a chilly morning with a cup of coffee!

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen in the fall baking and enjoying the flavors of the season.

Pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and vanilla make into so many of my fall recipes.

Of course, sourdough is always involved:)

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loaf of sourdough cinnamon swirl bread

What’s the difference between Active Sourdough Starter and Sourdough Discard?

Active starter is starter that has been fed within the last 24 hours and is bubbly and active looking.

Sourdough Discard is starter that has not been fed recently and may have a liquid on top and an acetone odor.

Both can be used, however the discard will take longer to rise your dough.

Why you will love this recipe

This dough rises overnight so it is fairly hands off. The recipe is simple to make with easy to find ingredients.

loaf of sourdough cinnamon swirl bread sliced on cutting board

What you will need to make this Sourdough Cinnamon Bread

Flour

You can use all purpose flour, bread flour, or freshly milled flour. I am using freshly milled hard white wheat for this recipe.

Sourdough Starter

Use active sourdough starter for this bread.

Water

For best results, use filtered water. Tap water usually has chlorine in it and it may inhibit the fermentation process.

Honey

This recipe uses a little bit of honey. Not so much to make it super sweet but just enough to compliment the cinnamon swirl. May substitute with maple syrup.

Salt

I use Redmond’s Real Salt, however any good quality salt works just fine.

Olive Oil

Try to find a good quality organic extra virgin olive oil. You may substitute with melted butter or coconut oil as well.

Cinnamon

Softened Butter

The butter is used to spread lightly on the rolled out dough for the cinnamon to stick well.

Full ingredient amounts can be found in the recipe card below

slices of sourdough cinnamon swirl bread laid on cutting board

Step by Step Instructions for making this delicious bread recipe

Mix up the dough the night before for the first rise or bulk fermentation.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, add the water, oil, honey, and starter. Mix until combined.

Note: If it is winter, I will start with warm water.

You can also mix this in a large mixing bowl and use a dough whisk to combine the dough before kneading by hand.

Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour and the salt. Mix well and turn on speed 2. Continue adding just enough flour to make a soft dough ball that cleans the side of the mixing bowl.

Knead for 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise overnight on the counter at room temperature. If your house is on the cool side, move the dough to a warm place.

sourdough cinnamon swirl bread dough risen

The next day turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to approximately 1/3-1/2 inch thick. It should be rolled out into a rectangular shape.

Spread the dough with softened butter in a very thin layer.

Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon.

sourdough cinnamon swirl bread dough rolled out and cinnamon sprinkled evenly all over

Roll the dough back up into a loaf shape tightly. Tuck the ends and place in a prepared loaf pan.

A bench scraper is so helpful for starting the rolling process.

You can either spray the pan with cooking spray or line with a piece of parchment paper.

Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel for the final proof.

Allow to rise in a warm place until the dough tops over the rim of pan about 1-2 inches.

sourdough cinnamon swirl bread dough risen in loaf pan

Brush the top of the dough with an egg wash with a pastry brush.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. The internal temperature should be 195-205 degrees F when using an instant read thermometer.

Let bread cool on a wire rack or cooling rack completely before slicing. It’s hard, I know!

slices of sourdough cinnamon swirl bread

Serving Suggestions

Spread with butter and toast in a toaster oven for a most delicious toast for breakfast along side eggs and coffee!

Use this bread to make French toast. You will be glad you did!

Storage Tips

Store on the counter in a plastic bag for up to 3 days.

Store in freezer in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months.

Can I use a combination of all purpose and whole wheat flour?

Yes, a combination will make a lighter loaf and you will still get the flavor from the whole wheat flour. Although I use all freshly milled flour, adding a bit of all purpose does make for a nice, light loaf.

What if I don’t have butter to spread on the dough?

I would recommend mixing the cinnamon with a few tbsp of oil and make a paste to make sure it sticks to the dough.

Can I add raisins?

Absolutely! Soak the raisins in some water to plump them up before adding to the dough.

close up of crumb of sourdough cinnamon swirl bread

Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Yield: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 50 minutes

Warm and comforting, this sourdough cinnamon swirl loaf checks all the boxes for a fall loaf!

Ingredients

  • 3-3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sourdough starter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

For the swirl

  • 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup softened butter

Instructions

  1. The night before baking, add the water, oil, honey, and starter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until combined.
  2. Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour and the salt. Mix well.
  3. Turn on speed 2 and continue adding flour until a soft dough forms that cleans the sides of the mixing bowl.
  4. Continue on speed 2 and knead for 10 minutes.
  5. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to ferment overnight at room temperature.
  6. The next day, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
  7. Roll out into a rectangle that is approximately 1/3-1/2 inch thick.
  8. Spread with butter and sprinkle cinnamon evenly on the dough.
  9. Place in a greased loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until dough is 1-2 inches above the rim of the pan.
  10. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  11. Brush top of loaf with an egg wash.
  12. Bake for 25-40 minutes. Internal temperature should be 195-205 degrees F.
  13. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

You may replace the honey with maple syrup.

Olive oil may be substituted with melted butter or coconut oil.

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