This Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Bread Recipe is a soft and fluffy recipe, which is made with a rich, buttery dough and a sweet cinnamon swirl. It’s the perfect breakfast bread, ready in about 6 hours, including rising time.
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Bread Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk
- 6 Tbsp. Butter
- 2 1/2 tsp. Active Dry Yeast
- 2 whole Eggs
- 1/3 cup Sugar
- 3 1/2 cups All-purpose Flour
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1/3 cup Sugar (for filling)
- 2 Tbsp. Cinnamon (for filling)
- Egg And Milk, Mixed Together, For Brushing
- Softened Butter, For Smearing And Greasing
How To Make Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Bread
- Activate the yeast: In a saucepan, heat the milk and 6 tablespoons of butter until the butter is melted and the mixture is very warm, but not boiling. Let it cool until it’s warm to the touch (like a baby’s bottle). Sprinkle the yeast over the top, stir gently, and let it sit for 10 minutes to activate.
- Mix the dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the 1/3 cup of sugar and the eggs. Pour in the warm milk/butter/yeast mixture and stir. Add half of the flour (mixed with the salt) and beat on medium speed. Add the remaining flour and beat until combined.
- Knead the dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the dough on medium speed for 10 minutes. If the dough seems overly sticky, add up to 1/4 cup more flour and knead for another 5 minutes.
- First rise: Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the loaf: Turn the risen dough out onto a work surface. Roll it into a long rectangle, no wider than your loaf pan. Smear the surface with 2 tablespoons of softened butter. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the butter.
- Roll and second rise: Starting from the far end, roll the dough tightly toward you into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it. Place the log, seam-side down, into a well-greased loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 2 hours.
- Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the top of the risen loaf with an egg and milk mixture. Bake on a middle or lower rack for 40 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve.

Recipe Tips
- How do I know if my yeast is active? After sprinkling the yeast over the warm milk and letting it sit for 10 minutes, the mixture should look slightly foamy or bubbly. If it doesn’t, your yeast may be old, and the bread won’t rise properly.
- How can I tell when the dough is done kneading? After 10 minutes with a dough hook, the dough should be smooth, elastic, and pull away from the sides of the bowl. It should feel slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
- What’s the best way to get a tight cinnamon swirl? When you roll the dough into a log, pull it gently toward you with each rotation. This keeps the roll tight and ensures there are no gaps, creating a beautiful, defined swirl in every slice.
- Can I make this dough ahead of time? Yes. After the first rise, you can punch the dough down, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling and shaping.
What To Serve With Cinnamon Bread
This bread is a delicious treat on its own, but it’s especially wonderful for breakfast or a snack.
- Toasted and slathered with salted butter
- Used to make incredible French toast
- Served alongside a cup of coffee or hot tea
- Drizzled with a simple powdered sugar glaze
How To Store Cinnamon Bread
Room Temperature: Store the completely cooled loaf in an airtight bag or bread box at room temperature for up to 4 days. Freeze: This bread freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Bread Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 350kcal
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
Nutrition information is estimated per slice and may vary based on slice thickness.
FAQs
Why didn’t my bread rise?
The most common reasons are that the yeast was expired or the milk mixture was too hot when the yeast was added, which can kill it. Ensure the liquid is just warm to the touch. Another reason could be that the rising environment was too cold.
Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?
Yes, but it will require significant effort. You can mix the dough in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, then turn it out onto a floured surface and knead by hand for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
My bread has a big gap under the top crust. Why?
This usually happens when the dough is not rolled tightly enough. When the bread bakes, the filling melts and creates steam, and if the roll is loose, it can separate and create a gap. Rolling the log as tightly as possible helps prevent this.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Streusel Bagels Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls Small Batch Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Bread Recipe
Description
A soft, fluffy, and buttery yeast bread with a beautiful, sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl running through the entire loaf.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Warm milk and butter, then cool until just warm. Stir in yeast and let sit for 10 minutes.
- In a mixer, combine sugar and eggs. Add the yeast mixture, then the flour and salt.
- Knead with a dough hook for 10 minutes until smooth.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 2 hours, until doubled.
- Roll the dough into a long rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
- Roll into a tight log, place in a greased loaf pan, and let rise for another 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush the top with an egg wash and bake for 40 minutes.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThis is an enriched dough, which results in a very soft and tender bread.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe double rise is essential for a light, airy texture, so don’t rush the process.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eRolling the dough tightly is the key to a perfect swirl without any gaps.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis bread makes the absolute best cinnamon toast or French toast.u003c/liu003e
