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.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Amish Cinnamon Bread
- How To Make Amish Cinnamon Bread
- What Pairs Well With Amish Cinnamon Bread
- Amish Cinnamon Bread Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Amish Cinnamon Bread
- Amish Cinnamon Bread FAQs
- A Kitchen Staple Everyone Requests
- Related
- Moist Amish Cinnamon Swirl Bread
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)
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.
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.
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.
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!
Related
Looking for other recipes like Amish Cinnamon Bread? Try these:
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins30 Minutes
- Perfect French Crepes1 Hours
- Cucumber Salad Sandwiches12 Minutes
- Cowboy Queso25 Minutes
Moist Amish Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Equipment
- 1 Loaf pan (9x5 inch)
- 1 Mixer (Hand or stand)
- 1 Knife (For swirling)
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
Instructions
- Cream butter and 1 cup sugar; beat in egg and vanilla.
- Stir baking soda into buttermilk. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk to the butter mixture.
- Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. Pour ⅓ batter into greased pan.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Repeat layers, ending with batter.
- Top with remaining cinnamon sugar and swirl lightly with a knife.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes. Cool in pan for 20 minutes.
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