Easy to Make Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread

A timeless classic that’s as wonderful today as it was when your mom would make it. This recipe for Cinnamon Raisin Bread has a soft, fluffy texture infused with the warmth of cinnamon and bursting with juicy raisins. A homemade bread that takes a little time to rise and just 45 minutes to turn a deep golden brown and fill your whole house with the most amazing scent. 

 

Super Tasty and Easy Cinnamon Raisin Bread

The contrasting textures of the soft bread with the pops of sweet raisins and cinnamon sugar mixture make for a fun surprise in every bite. It takes a little extra time to make bread from scratch,(darn that rising time) but it’s sooo much better than the store bought stuff. Trust me, you won’t want to go back after you try this. 

If you need instant gratification, try some cinnamon roll biscuits.

This recipe will take a little elbow grease—unless you have a stand mixer! You’ll need to knead the bread dough for about five minutes so that it’ll rise properly. But, don’t let that deter you! It’s worth it and could even count as your workout for the day, otherwise let an electric mixer do all the work for you.

There’s no reason to be intimidated by yeast bread, as long as your yeast is alive, you’ll get a delicious loaf of bread.

I love eating this fresh out of the oven with a healthy spread of really good butter or using it as the base for the best French toast you’ve ever had. It’s equally good toasted.

If you prefer a less sweet breakfast, pair it with crispy bacon, cheesy hashbrown potatoes, and fresh fruit. It’s just as delicious in the morning as it is in the afternoon or as a midnight snack. 

Seriously, I could live on homemade bread alone. It’s not uncommon for me to have a hearty slice of oatmeal bread for dinner.

If you love the flavor of cinnamon pastries but want something a little sweeter, my homemade cinnamon rolls and cinnamon streusel peach cake are amazing ways to indulge—and are perfect for a brunch spread or to bring along when visiting friends and family. If you’re a fan of raisins, you’ll find plenty in these morning glory muffins.

Just a Few Pantry Staples

​Yeast – You’ll need one package of active dry yeast. 

Raisins – You can use regular or golden raisins for this recipe. Or try a mix! 

Cinnamon – She’s the star of the show! 

Bread Flour – I like to use bread flour for the ultimate texture, but all-purpose flour will taste just as good.

Pantry Staples – Milk, butter and sugar.

How To Make This Drool Worthy Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe

Step One: Activate Yeast

Combine warm water and active dry yeast in a small bowl with a little sugar. Let it sit until the yeast has dissolved and the mixture becomes foamy. This will take just 2-3 minutes. If it doesn’t become foamy, your yeast may be expired or your water was too hot.

Step Two: Combine Ingredients

Mix yeast, milk, sugar, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Once mixed, add flour and salt and mix until it forms a dough. Swap the paddle attachment with a dough hook attachment. 

Step Three: Knead Dough

Using the dough hook, knead on medium-low until the dough is smooth. This will take about 5 minutes.

Step Four: First Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place until it has doubled in size. About one hour, when you put your finger in the center, the hole should stay in place.

Step Five: Make Cinnamon Filling

Combine cinnamon, sugar, and raisins in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Step Six: Form Loaf

Remove dough from the bowl and use a rolling pin to form it into a 9 x 9-inch square. Spread the cinnamon raisin filling on top of the dough making sure to leave a border around the perimeter. Roll dough into a log, pinching along the seam to keep it together. Place dough in a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. 

Step Seven: Second Rise

Cover pan with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for another hour until the dough rises and fills the pan.

Step Eight: Bake Bread

Preheat the oven to 350º. Brush the dough with melted butter and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove to a wire rack. Let it cool for 30 minutes before slicing. 

Tips For Perfect Homemade Bread

• Make sure your yeast is still good! It should foam almost instantly when combined with a pinch of sugar and warm water. 
• Create a warm environment by heating a bowl of water in the microwave then placing the bowl of dough in the microwave to rise in a warm steamy environment.
• Enjoy the process! Bread can seem intimidating, but it’s really very simple and It’s so satisfying to bite into something you made from scratch. 

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.