Name: Cinnamon Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 loaves frozen bread dough, Rhodes Bake – N – Serve; ¾ cup butter, melted; 2 cups granulated sugar; ¼ cup ground cinnamon; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2–3 tablespoons milk

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 11 reviews

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to the warm, cozy smell of freshly baked cinnamon bread, you’re going to love this Cinnamon Bread Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and cinnamon-spiced goodness rolled into one indulgent loaf. Trust me, once you try this, it might just become your go-to for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your cinnamon bread turns out fan-freaking-tastic every single time!

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Why This Recipe Works

Effortless Prep: Using frozen Rhodes Bake-N-Serve bread dough takes away any intimidation about baking bread from scratch.
Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Blend: A mix of melted butter, cinnamon, and granulated sugar creates a sweet, gooey surprise inside every slice.
Soft but Structured Loaves: Scoring the bread before baking allows the flavors to seep in and the loaf to rise beautifully without falling apart.
Simple Homemade Glaze: A light drizzle of vanilla-infused icing adds that extra touch of sweetness that ties everything together.

Cinnamon Bread, cinnamon bread recipe, easy cinnamon bread, homemade cinnamon bread, cinnamon sweet bread - The image shows two large cinnamon rolls on a round wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cinnamon roll has many layers of soft, golden-brown dough swirled with dark cinnamon filling, creating a textured look. On top, white icing is drizzled unevenly across the rolls, with some parts thicker and some parts thinner, making the rolls look moist and fresh. The background is bright and softly blurred, focusing attention on the rolls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Cinnamon Bread Recipe lies in a mix of simple ingredients you might already have on hand, paired with frozen bread dough to make it a breeze. Each element plays a role in building texture, flavor, and that inviting aroma we all crave.

Cinnamon Bread, cinnamon bread recipe, easy cinnamon bread, homemade cinnamon bread, cinnamon sweet bread - Flat lay of three fresh whole loaves of rustic bread dough, a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with white granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of warm brown ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white powdered sugar, a whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh milk placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen bread dough: Rhodes Bake-N-Serve loaves are my absolute favorite shortcut—they thaw beautifully and rise like a dream.
Butter: Melted butter not only adds richness but also helps the cinnamon sugar stick to every nook and cranny.
Granulated sugar: Provides just the right amount of crunch and sweetness inside, balancing the soft dough.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives this bread its signature warm flavor.
Powdered sugar: Key for the smooth glaze that finishes off the loaf with a touch of sweetness and elegance.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and a mellow aroma to the glaze.
Milk: Thins out the icing for the perfect drizzling consistency.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I really love about this Cinnamon Bread Recipe is how easy it is to make your own tweaks. Whether you like it super cinnamony, extra sweet, or want to add some crunch, you’ve got options. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Extra Cinnamon Swirl: I sometimes add a little extra cinnamon mixed with brown sugar in the slots for a deeper flavor—totally worth it!
Nutty Addition: Chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled inside before the final rise add a nice crunch and a bit of contrast.
Gluten-Free Twist: For a gluten-free version, try your favorite gluten-free bread dough and adjust baking time as needed.
Vanilla or Maple Glaze: Swap vanilla extract in the icing for maple syrup for a cozy twist that screams fall vibes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Step 1: Thawing the bread dough perfectly

I like to start by placing the frozen bread loaves on a tray at room temperature for about 3 to 4 hours. This slow thaw ensures the dough defrosts evenly without getting too sticky or soggy. If you’re prepping the night before, just pop them in the fridge to thaw overnight—perfect for mornings when you want fresh bread fresh out of the oven.

Step 2: Making deep cuts & soaking in butter

Once thawed, grab a sharp knife and cut four deep slashes into each loaf, almost all the way through but leave a bit connected at the bottom so the loaf stays together. Then, coat the entire loaf thoroughly with melted butter, especially inside those cuts. This step is crucial. It’s what makes the cinnamon sugar stick like a dream and keeps the bread moist during baking.

Step 3: Rolling in cinnamon sugar and stuffing the crevices

Mix together cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish, then gently roll each buttered loaf in the mix. Don’t hold back here—make sure each cut gets stuffed well with that cinnamon sugar. This part gets a little messy (which is fun!) but it’s what creates those amazing pockets of sweetness throughout the bread.

Step 4: The rise & bake magic

Place each sugared loaf in a greased 9-inch bread pan and cover with a lightweight tea towel. Let them rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—about an hour. Then bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for golden brown loaves that sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. This tells you they’re perfectly baked inside and out.

Step 5: Drizzling on the signature glaze

While the bread cools just a bit, whip up the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until silky smooth. Add a little more milk if it’s too thick. A generous drizzle over the warm loaves adds just the right touch of sweetness and makes every slice look irresistible.

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Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Don’t Rush the Thaw: Giving the dough enough time to thaw fully avoids a dense or under-risen loaf.
Butter, Butter, Butter: Be generous with butter—it’s the key to moist, tender bread and helps the cinnamon sugar adhere well.
Even Cuts Are Essential: Deep slashes let the flavors swirl and the loaf to expand evenly, giving you those classic ribboned cinnamon streaks.
Let Loaves Cool Slightly: Drizzle the glaze when bread is warm but not hot to prevent melting the icing completely and losing the beautiful drizzle effect.

How to Serve Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Cinnamon Bread, cinnamon bread recipe, easy cinnamon bread, homemade cinnamon bread, cinnamon sweet bread - The image shows a close-up of a rectangular metal baking pan with soft, golden-brown pull-apart bread topped with a thick cinnamon sugar coating. The bread is arranged in rows with visible sections and a fluffy, slightly textured surface. Thick white icing is being poured over the top from a textured white ceramic jug by a woman's hand. The pan is placed on a round metal cooling rack, and the background is a white marbled surface with a blurred blue and white striped cloth in the distance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing my cinnamon bread with a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon powder for that extra cozy look and flavor. Sometimes, a smear of cream cheese or a dab of honey butter turns it into a decadent treat that’s hard to resist.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a chai latte for breakfast. For a brunch spread, add some scrambled eggs and fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to slice the loaf into thick wedges, stack them artistically on a wooden board, and drizzle extra glaze or even some melted chocolate. Wrapping slices individually in parchment and tying with twine makes a charming homemade gift for friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the bread cools completely, I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store it in an airtight container on the counter. It keeps well for about 3 days and still tastes fresh, especially when reheated.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cinnamon bread both before and after baking. If freezing before baking, wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual. For baked loaves, wrap well and freeze, then thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices in the toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds to revive that fresh-baked feel. For a whole loaf, warming wrapped in foil at a low temperature (around 300°F) works like a charm without drying it out.

FAQs

Can I make this cinnamon bread from scratch without frozen dough?

Absolutely! While this recipe is designed for using Rhodes Bake-N-Serve frozen dough for convenience, you can use homemade bread dough. Just make sure to let it rise fully before proceeding with the cinnamon sugar steps. The rising times may vary, but the method remains the same.
How do I avoid the cinnamon sugar falling off during baking?

Generously coating the bread with melted butter before adding the cinnamon sugar is key. Make sure you get the butter inside each cut to help the sugar stick. This moisture helps the sugar caramelize and stay put during baking.
Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?

Yes, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use a plant-based milk for the glaze. Just keep in mind it might slightly change the texture and flavor, but it should still be delicious!
What’s the best way to serve cinnamon bread fresh?

I recommend serving it warm, right after drizzling the glaze. It’s fantastic on its own or with a spread of cream cheese or butter. Pair it with a hot drink, and you’ve got an instant crowd-pleaser.
Can I double this recipe for a bigger batch?

You can definitely double or even triple it! Just make sure your pans are large enough, or bake in batches. Keep an eye on baking times—they might need a few more minutes when the loaves are bigger.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the kind of comfort food that feels homemade even when you’re using shortcuts. It’s straightforward, forgiving, and delivers that rich cinnamon goodness we all crave. I can’t wait for you to try it and create your own memories around the kitchen with it – trust me, your family and friends will notice the love baked right into every slice.