“My mom’s grandmother use to make these. Then when she passed away no one had the recipe, but I’ve been hearing about them my whole life.”

 

Sweet Bread with a Buttery Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Soft, moist, and infused with a touch of cinnamon, this Sweet Bread is topped with a decadent, crunchy cinnamon sugar layer. It's the perfect quick bread for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45-55 minutes
Yields: 1 (9x5-inch) loaf

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare for Baking:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the two long sides for easy removal.

2. Make the Bread Batter:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

• In a separate medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the mixture together until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.

3. Bake the Bread:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.

• Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

4. Add the Topping & Finish:

• About 5 minutes before the bread is done baking, stir together the ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for the topping.

• As soon as the bread comes out of the oven, use a pastry brush to evenly spread the 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the top.

• Immediately sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the melted butter.

• Let the bread cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the sugary top to set into a delicious, crunchy crust.

🍞 Baker's Notes

• Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense bread. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.

• Buttermilk Bonus: Using buttermilk will yield a slightly tangier and more tender crumb.

• Testing for Doneness: Oven temperatures can vary. Start checking the bread at the 45-minute mark. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it loosely with aluminum foil.

• Cooling is Key: Allowing the bread to cool in the pan helps it set and makes it much easier to slice cleanly.