🍞✨ Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Soft, sweet, swirled, cozy — the bread that tastes like childhood, comfort, and a bakery window display all in one.

 

Warm, buttery dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and studded with juicy raisins — this Cinnamon Raisin Bread is the homemade loaf that will ruin store‑bought bread forever.

Homemade bread — the queen of comfort baking. Bread is grounding. Bread is nostalgic. Bread is the culinary equivalent of a weighted blanket and a scented candle. And when you add cinnamon? And sugar? And raisins that get all plump and sweet in the oven?

Oh honey… You’ve entered a new dimension of cozy.

This Cinnamon Raisin Bread is the Beyoncé of homemade loaves. She’s soft. She’s swirled. She’s golden. She’s dramatic in all the right ways. She walks into the room and suddenly everyone is hovering around the oven like it’s a Hallmark movie finale.

This recipe is everything you want in a homemade loaf:

• A soft, enriched dough
• Warm cinnamon sugar filling
• Sweet raisins in every bite
• A swirl that looks like you bought it from a bakery
• A smell that makes your entire house feel like fall
• A slice that toasts like a dream

It’s the kind of recipe that works for:

• Breakfast
• Brunch
• After‑school snacks
• Neighbor gifts
• Holiday mornings
• “I need something cozy RIGHT NOW” cravings

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “extra raisins” or team “extra cinnamon swirl”?

While watching LDS General Conference I have found that the best way for me to pay attention and not fall asleep is to be doing something while I listen. We cleaned this morning and this afternoon.

Then I ran out of things to do while listening so I decided to bake some bread. Matt and I love all the flavors that fall brings such as pumpkin, cinnamon, apples and etc.

In an effort to not go out today we decided to bake bread that wouldn’t require me to go to the store. This recipe is simple and is the best thing to eat on a cloudy, rainy conference day!!

It makes 3 loaves, so there is some to share if you would like. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

Ingredients

Bread dough
1 cup of warm water
2 packages active dry yeast
3 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups milk, lukewarm
8 1/2 cups bread flour

Filling
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 white sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

🍽 Directions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

1. Combine warm water and yeast in a bowl.
2. Let sit 10 minutes until foamy and alive (yeast is dramatic like that).

Step 2: Build the Dough

1. Add eggs, sugar, salt, butter, raisins, and milk.
2. Mix until combined.
3. Add flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

1. Place dough in a greased bowl.
2. Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.

Step 4: Shape the Loaves

1. Punch down dough (gently — we’re not mad at it).
2. Divide into two loaves.
3. Roll each into a rectangle.
4. Brush with milk + melted butter.
5. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly.
6. Roll tightly into a loaf.

Step 5: Second Rise

1. Place loaves in greased pans.
2. Cover and rise 30–45 minutes.

Step 6: Bake

1. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
2. Tops should be golden and smell like heaven.

Step 7: Serve

1. Cool slightly.
2. Slice thick.
3. Slather with butter.
4. Prepare for applause.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you slice your bread thick or thin

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Slice, Approx. 20 Slices)

• Calories: ~190
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fat: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10g

 

🍞 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Raisins: Natural sweetness + iron
• Cinnamon: Antioxidants + warmth
• Eggs: Richness + structure
• Milk: Tender crumb
• Butter: Flavor + softness

💬 Reader prompt: Should we try this with golden raisins next time

 

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

• Extra swirl: Add more cinnamon sugar.
• Extra soft bread: Use bread flour (it matters).
• Extra plump raisins: Soak in warm water 10 minutes.
• Extra golden crust: Brush with butter after baking.
• Perfect slices: Let bread cool before cutting (I know… torture).

🔄 Recipe Variations

🍫 Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Bread

Swap raisins for chocolate chips.

🍎 Apple Cinnamon Bread

Add diced apples to the filling.

🥥 Coconut Cinnamon Bread

Add shredded coconut.

🍁 Maple Cinnamon Bread

Add maple syrup to the dough.

🍇 Golden Raisin Swirl Bread

Use golden raisins for a lighter flavor.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version should we test next for the blog

🧒 Kid Tips

• Add mini chocolate chips — kids go wild.
• Make mini loaves for tiny hands.
• Serve with honey butter.
• Let kids help sprinkle the cinnamon sugar.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Raisins: Buy in bulk — cheaper and fresher.
• Yeast: Store in the fridge for longer life.
• Flour: Bread flour = best texture.
• Butter: Freeze extra sticks for baking season.
• Cinnamon: Costco cinnamon is elite.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you a “raisins forever” or “raisins never” person

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week’s challenge: Make this Cinnamon Raisin Bread, snap a pic, and share it with #LouLouGirlsCinnamonMagic. Bonus points if your swirl shot is dramatic enough to deserve its own slow‑motion reel.

🥪 Leftover Remix

(If you somehow have leftovers… which you won’t.)

• Cinnamon Raisin French Toast: Life‑changing.
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding: Add cream + bake.
• Cinnamon Raisin Grilled Cheese: Sweet + savory magic.
• Cinnamon Raisin Croutons: For fruit salads.
• Cinnamon Raisin Ice Cream Sandwiches: Freeze with vanilla ice cream.

💬 Reader prompt: Which leftover remix should we feature next week

💭 Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Raisin Bread is everything you want in a homemade loaf: soft, sweet, nostalgic, comforting, and ridiculously satisfying. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together, sparks conversation, and makes everyone feel like they’re part of the fun.

It’s simple enough for a weekend, impressive enough for guests, and comforting enough for those “I need something delicious immediately” days.