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Amish Cinnamon Bread

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Waking up to the smell of warm spices filling the whole house is pure comfort, and this Amish Cinnamon Bread is the cozy, cake-like loaf Max asks for whenever the weather turns chilly. We love how the sweet, crunchy cinnamon sugar swirls through the tender crumb and caramelizes on top, creating a crust that is absolutely addictive. It is our favorite family habit for a simple, nostalgic treat that tastes like it took all day but requires zero kneading or yeast.

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Amish cinnamon bread loaf with decorative cinnamon-sugar swirl pattern on top, sliced to reveal internal cinnamon swirl throughout the tender golden crumb, displayed on a white serving platter Save it For Later
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Why You Will Love This Amish Cinnamon Bread

This dish offers a perfect balance of moist, buttery vanilla cake and bold cinnamon spice; providing a satisfying sweetness that is both visually stunning with its distinct swirls and incredibly comforting. It is an effortless way to make an Amish Cinnamon Bread Recipe Without Starter, working as a showstopper for a holiday morning or a simple Breakfast Bread to enjoy with coffee.

How To Make Amish Cinnamon Bread

The Amish Cinnamon Bread is a classic "quick bread," meaning it uses baking soda rather than yeast to rise; featuring a batter that comes together in minutes. This specific version uses tangy buttermilk to ensure a tender crumb and a layering technique to achieve the beautiful cinnamon spirals seen on top. Originally inspired by Taste of Home Amish cinnamon bread styles, this recipe has been refined in our kitchen to ensure the loaf stays moist for days without drying out.

Amish Cinnamon Bread Ingredients

The Batter

  • ½ cup Unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 cup Buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar)
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

The Cinnamon Swirl

  • ⅓ cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon (generous)
A top-down photograph of the ingredients for Amish Cinnamon Bread arranged on a white marble kitchen . Bowls contain flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. Other items include a measuring cup of buttermilk, a stick of butter, an egg, and vanilla extract. All items are labeled with handmade tags. Save it For Later

Step by Step Method

Cream the base

  • Beat the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg and vanilla, beating until combined.

Mix the batter

  • Stir the baking soda into the buttermilk.
  • Alternatingly add the flour and the buttermilk mixture to the creamed butter, mixing just until the flour disappears (do not overmix!).

Layer the swirl

  • Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Grease a loaf pan and pour in ⅓ of the batter. Sprinkle heavily with the cinnamon sugar.
  • Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of batter.
A top-down photograph showing the layering process for Amish Cinnamon Bread. A hand generously sprinkles a dark cinnamon-sugar mixture over a white marble kitchen surface. Bowls containing the remaining batter and cinnamon sugar sit beside the pan. Save it For Later

Create the design

  • Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar generously over the very top of the wet batter.
  • Use a knife to swirl the top layer gently to create the marbled effect seen in the photo.
An overhead photograph showing a hand using a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar topping into the batter of the Amish Cinnamon Bread just before baking. The metal loaf pan sits on a rustic wooden surface next to empty mixing bowls. Save it For Later

Bake and cool

  • Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in the pan for 20 minutes before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.

MAX’S REACTION

"Mom, can I pick the crust off? The top part is like a giant cinnamon cookie attached to the bread!"

What Pairs Well With Amish Cinnamon Bread

I usually serve this sweet bread warm with a generous smear of salted butter. If you are building a full breakfast spread, it pairs beautifully with the savory, smoky flavors of our Bourbon Maple Bacon Stuffed Toast. For a protein boost to balance the carbs, serve it alongside Chocolate Protein Donuts. If you are hosting a brunch, this loaf sits perfectly next to a Blueberry French Toast Casserole.

Amish Cinnamon Bread Variations

Amish Cinnamon Bread Recipe with Buttermilk

This is the classic version (above), but if you don't have buttermilk, you can use sour cream or Greek yogurt thinned with a little milk for an even richer loaf.

Amish Apple Cinnamon Bread

Fold 1 cup of peeled, diced apples into the batter before layering to add moisture and a fruity tartness that cuts the sugar.

Glazed Amish Cinnamon Bread

Skip the sugar topping before baking and instead drizzle a vanilla glaze (powdered sugar + milk) over the cooled loaf for a dessert-style finish.

Amish Cinnamon Muffins

Pour the batter into a muffin tin, layering the cinnamon sugar in the middle of each cup, and bake for 18-20 minutes for grab-and-go treats.

Amish cinnamon bread loaves with decorative cinnamon-sugar swirl pattern on top, sliced to show internal spiral of cinnamon throughout golden yellow cake, displayed on white platters outdoors Save it For Later

Equipment

  • Standard Loaf Pan (9x5 inch)
  • Electric Mixer
  • Butter Knife (for swirling)

Mom Tip: The secret to that distinct swirl on top is not to over-swirl! Just run your knife through the top layer in a "figure 8" motion once or twice. If you do it too much, the sugar mixes into the batter and disappears instead of creating those beautiful caramel-colored lines.

Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips

Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh

  • Store the cooled loaf in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • This bread actually tastes better the next day as the moisture redistributes!

Make Ahead Strategy

  • You can bake the loaf ahead of time and freeze it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil; it freezes perfectly for up to 3 months.

Reheating Instructions

  • Slice the bread and toast it lightly, or warm it in the microwave for 15 seconds to make the butter melt into the crumbs.

Top Tips for Best Amish Cinnamon Bread

The absolute secret to that appetizing, golden crust is using enough sugar on top. Don't be shy with the cinnamon-sugar mixture—it creates a crispy shell that contrasts with the soft interior. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added; overmixing makes quick breads tough and rubbery instead of tender and cake-like.

Amish Cinnamon Bread FAQs

Do I need a sourdough starter?

No! This is an Amish Cinnamon Bread Without Starter. It relies on baking soda and buttermilk for the rise, making it much faster than "Friendship Bread."

Why did my cinnamon sugar sink to the bottom?

This happens if the batter is too thin. Make sure you use room-temperature butter and don't add extra liquid.

Can I use oil instead of butter?

Yes, you can substitute ½ cup of vegetable oil for the butter, which produces a moister (but less flavorful) loaf.

A Kitchen Staple Everyone Requests

Serving up this fragrant, swirled loaf is my favorite way to make the house feel like home. If you enjoyed this sweet win, you should try our Chocolate Protein Donuts for a healthier twist. For a decadent weekend breakfast, nothing beats the richness of our Blueberry French Toast Casserole.

Share your Amish Cinnamon Bread! Tag us @HannahCooking with #AmishCinnamonBread; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!

⭐️ Rate this Amish Cinnamon Bread recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!

Looking for other recipes like Amish Cinnamon Bread? Try these:

Amish cinnamon bread loaf with decorative cinnamon-sugar swirl pattern on top, sliced to reveal internal cinnamon swirl throughout the tender golden crumb, displayed on a white serving platter Save it For Later

Moist Amish Cinnamon Swirl Bread

A tender, cake-like quick bread featuring tangy buttermilk and generous ribbons of cinnamon sugar swirled throughout and caramelized on top.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 10
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup Butter Softened
  • 1 cup Sugar Granulated
  • 1 large Egg Room temp
  • 1 cup Buttermilk Or sour milk
  • 2 cups Flour All-purpose
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda Leavening
  • ⅓ cup Sugar For swirl
  • 1 tablespoon Cinnamon Ground

Equipment

  • 1 Loaf pan 9x5 inch
  • 1 Mixer Hand or stand
  • 1 Knife For swirling

Method
 

  1. Cream butter and 1 cup sugar; beat in egg and vanilla.
  2. Stir baking soda into buttermilk. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk to the butter mixture.
  3. Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. Pour ⅓ batter into greased pan.
  4. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Repeat layers, ending with batter.
  5. Top with remaining cinnamon sugar and swirl lightly with a knife.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes. Cool in pan for 20 minutes.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to ensure a tender crumb. Save enough cinnamon sugar for the top to get the signature crust.

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