Amish Cinnamon Bread

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Absolutely! Let’s make this Amish Cinnamon Bread a full, rich recipe experience, from history to methods, with every step detailed. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

🍞 Amish Cinnamon Bread – The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Amish Cinnamon Bread is a beloved treat, famous for its soft, buttery crumb and sweet, cinnamon-swirled layers. Originating from the Amish communities of Pennsylvania, this bread reflects their simple, wholesome cooking style. It’s a perfect breakfast, brunch, or dessert bread that fills the home with the warm aroma of cinnamon and sugar. Its tender texture and rich flavors make it a favorite for lovers of sweet, homemade breads.

Unlike ordinary cinnamon bread, the Amish version is more cake-like and less dense, thanks to the creamed butter and sugar in the batter. It’s also often topped with a sweet glaze, making it irresistibly decadent.

Ingredients

For the Batter:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup sour cream

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Optional Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Batter

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and softened butter until crumbly.

Step 4: Assemble the Bread

  1. Spread half of the batter evenly in the prepared loaf pan.
  2. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter.
  3. Add the remaining batter on top, then sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon mixture evenly.
  4. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the batter to create a marbled cinnamon effect.

Step 5: Bake

  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  2. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
  3. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Optional Glaze

  1. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
  2. Drizzle over the cooled loaf for extra sweetness and presentation.

History & Formation

Amish Cinnamon Bread hails from the Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish) community, where bread-making is a cherished tradition. This sweet bread was designed to be simple, hearty, and satisfying, using accessible pantry ingredients. The combination of creamed butter, sugar, and sour cream ensures a tender crumb, while the cinnamon swirl adds that nostalgic, comforting flavor. Over time, it became popular outside Amish communities due to its perfect balance of sweet and spice.

The bread is usually formed in a loaf pan, which allows the layers of cinnamon sugar to create a beautiful swirl throughout. This swirl technique, passed down through generations, gives the bread its signature look and flavor.

Conclusion

Amish Cinnamon Bread isn’t just food—it’s a celebration of comfort, warmth, and family traditions. Its soft, sweet texture, combined with the cinnamon swirl and optional glaze, makes it an irresistible treat that everyone will love. Perfect with morning coffee, tea, or even a dollop of butter, this bread turns any ordinary day into a special occasion.

Lovers of This Bread

  • Fans of cinnamon rolls and sweet breads
  • Home bakers who love easy, comforting desserts
  • Those looking for a make-ahead breakfast treat
  • Anyone who loves buttery, soft-textured baked goods

Methods for Lovers

  • Make-Ahead: Wrap baked bread in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and drizzle glaze fresh before serving.
  • Mini Loaves: Divide batter into smaller loaf pans for gifts or portion control.
  • Add-Ins: Mix in chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit for a personal twist.

If you like, I can also give you a step-by-step photo guide version of this Amish Cinnamon Bread that makes it visually foolproof—perfect for first-timers or to make it bakery-style at home.

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