Best Cinnamon Bread Recipe (The Perfect Holiday Gift) (2024)

December 18, 2023

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I wanted to re-share the Best Cinnamon Bread Recipe for gifting to friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, Christmas party hosts, YOURSELF, and more! It’s also the perfect treat to enjoy on Christmas morning with a cup of coffee.

My mom has been making this cinnamon swirl bread every Christmas season for as long as I can remember for neighbors and friends. A few years ago I carried her tradition on! These little loaves are SO easy to whip up quickly in a large batch and are extremely delicious.

A single batch yields 6 mini loaves of cinnamon bread, and my tip is to make way more than you think you’ll need. These loaves are perfect to have on hand for when you need a last minute gift. And if you end up not gifting them all, you can freeze them!

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Why This Is The Best Cinnamon Bread Recipe

  • You can also make this recipe as a jumbo loaf, jumbo muffins, or mini muffins!
  • Perfect for snacks, an afternoon treat, or breakfast!
  • It’s a beautiful, delicious, and inexpensive gift! Gift your loaves in a pretty ceramic dish or disposable loaf pan wrapped with parchment paper, cellophane, or saran wrap — and tie with a pretty bow or baker’s twine! If you’re feeling extra festive you can garnish with cinnamon sticks or dried orange slices!
  • It’s freezer friendly. If you don’t plan to eat it right away, wrap your loaves tightly in heavy foil and pop in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
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Cinnamon Bread Variations

You can add so many fun things to this bread!

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Yield: 6 mini loaves

Cinnamon Bread Christmas Gift

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The Best Cinnamon Bread Recipe for making mini loaves to gift to friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, Christmas party hosts, YOURSELF, and more!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil

For the Topping

  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup sugar

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    2. In a medium bowl, mix sugar, flour, baking powder & salt.

    3. In a large bowl (or stand mixer), mix eggs, milk, and oil. Slowly add the dry flour mixture into the bowl and mix until well combined.

    4. Grease baking dishes and pour bread mixture an inch below to the top (so it doesn't overflow while rising).

    5. In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients. Sprinkle generously on top of each loaf and swirl in with a knife.

    6. Bake mini loaves for about 25 minutes or a single large loaf for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Notes

Cinnamon Bread Variations: You can add so many fun things to this bread!

To Freeze: wrap loaves tightly in heavy foil and pop in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Recipe originally published December 2017 and republished in December 2023. The recipe remains the same.

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G. Foley

Friday 22nd of December 2023

Well, I made a mess in my oven. I wasn’t sure what size “mini” was. I used (4) 6x3.5 pans and filled to about an inch below rim. I had a bit left so added it to a 5th pan. The one that came out correctly was the scrap one. The others over flowed over the rim and onto a sheet that I had set on the rack under them just in case this was going to happen. Mad at myself for not baking one off first. Waiting to cool before tasting. I guess these will go in my freezer instead of for gifting….6 pans this size is probably correct as in other posts state.

Sharon

Sunday 17th of December 2023

Never mind I see it in someone else's comments

Sharon

Sunday 17th of December 2023

Cinnamon Bread Christmas Gift- How many loaves does this recipe make? Thank you

Liz

Friday 15th of December 2023

Hi there! Just wondering how many mini loaves this recipe makes. Thanks so much!!

Erin

Friday 15th of December 2023

@Liz, Someone else commented and said it made 6 mini loaves for them!

Janet Copeland

Friday 11th of November 2022

What size are the containers you used, how many ounces?

Best Cinnamon Bread Recipe (The Perfect Holiday Gift) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to success when making quick breads? ›

5 Secrets for Successful Quick Breads
  • Don't Overmix. Taste of Home. When stirring up quick bread recipes, it's important not to overmix the batter once you've added flour. ...
  • Use the Right Size Pan. Taste of Home. ...
  • Coat Mix-Ins with Flour. Taste of Home. ...
  • Cool Before Glazing. Taste of Home. ...
  • Slice the Right Way. Taste of Home.
May 8, 2021

Why is it a good idea to limit the cinnamon in your actual bread dough? ›

however, cinnamon will actually inhibit the fermentation of your sourdough bread if you add it into the actual dough.

What is the most common mistake when making quick breads? ›

The top mistakes you're making when you bake bread
  1. You're measuring incorrectly. ...
  2. Your yeast is old. ...
  3. You're using low-protein flour. ...
  4. You're using too much flour (or water) ...
  5. Your oven isn't hot enough.
Apr 15, 2020

What is the main thing to avoid when making quick breads? ›

TIPS FOR MAKING QUICK BREAD

Baking is a science, and certain ingredients like flour and leavening agents need to be measured and added exactly how the recipe suggests. Avoid overmixing the batter as it can lead to tough, dense quick bread that may sink in the middle.

Is it better to use bread flour or all purpose flour for cinnamon rolls? ›

Most people recommend baking cinnamon rolls with bread flour, as this creates a fluffier and softer cinnamon roll. Though all-purpose flour will also work to create tasty cinnamon rolls. All-purpose flour is exactly like bread flour, but its lack of protein will not result in as much structure.

Is melted butter or softened butter better for cinnamon rolls? ›

It can definitely be tempting to just stick that butter in the microwave if you've been storing it in the fridge, which can easily lead to accidentally melting it, but ensuring that your butter is softened will make all the difference: It will make it easier to evenly spread the filling on top of the dough.

What is the best flour for cinnamon rolls? ›

Use bread flour: bread flour is available at most grocery stores and it makes ALL the difference in achieving softer, fluffy, perfect cinnamon rolls. JUST TRUST ME. Make sure you flour your work surface and the rolling pin: this is to prevent the cinnamon rolls from sticking to the surface or to the rolling pin.

What makes good quality quick breads? ›

The limiting factor in good quick breads is the correct mixing. Over mixing or under mixing will result in a poor quality product. Different quick bread batters are created by varying the ingredients and combining them in a certain way to form the structure of the bread.

What is the secret to making bread? ›

12 tips for making perfect bread
  • Use the right yeast. ...
  • Store your yeast properly. ...
  • Treat salt with care. ...
  • Take your time. ...
  • Try different flours. ...
  • Consider vitamin C. ...
  • Practice makes perfect. ...
  • Don't prove for too long.

What makes a successful bread? ›

To determine whether bread is of good quality, there are several factors and characteristics you can identify. For example the crust must be crisp and of a darker tone than the inside, a strong flavour and taste due to the flour, as well as a pleasant smell. What's also important is that the conservation is longer.

What makes quick breads tender and fluffy? ›

The two main quick-acting leavening agents are baking powder and baking soda Salt: Used as a seasoning Liquid: Helps in the blending of dry ingredients and the formation of gluten. It triggers the leavening action of baking powder or baking soda. Sugar: Makes quick breads tender and adds flavor.

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