Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F or 45°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
Instructions:
- Prepare the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Add the frothy yeast mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- First Rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Mixture:
- In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
- Shape the Bread:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal parts. Roll each part into a rectangle (about 9×12 inches).
- Spread half of the softened butter on each rectangle, then sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Form the Loaves:
- Roll each rectangle tightly, starting from the long side, to form a log. Pinch the seams to seal. Place each rolled log into a greased loaf pan.
- Second Rise:
- Cover the loaves and let them rise again in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake:
- Bake the loaves for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the tops brown too quickly, you can tent them with foil.
- Cool:
- Let the bread cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- This bread is delicious served warm, and you can also drizzle a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk over the top for extra sweetness.
- It’s great for toasting or making French toast!
Enjoy your homemade Amish Cinnamon Bread! Let me know if you have any questions or need variations!