🍞 Amish Cinnamon Bread: The Sweet Simplicity of Homemade Comfort

There’s something universally comforting about the smell of cinnamon baking in the oven. It instantly makes a house feel like a home. Amish Cinnamon Bread, known for its soft, buttery crumb and thick ribbon of cinnamon sugar, is one of those old-fashioned treats that brings warmth and comfort to anyone who tastes it.

Unlike traditional yeast-based cinnamon swirl bread, Amish Cinnamon Bread requires no yeast or kneading. It's a quick bread—meaning it uses baking powder and baking soda to rise—making it perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned home cooks alike. Often handed down through families or exchanged at potlucks, this humble loaf captures everything that’s charming about Amish baking: simplicity, comfort, and wholesome ingredients.

Whether you enjoy it with your morning coffee or serve it as an afternoon snack, this sweet bread is the kind of recipe that quickly becomes a staple in your home.

🧾 Ingredients

This recipe makes two loaves of moist, cinnamon-swirled bread. You can freeze one loaf or share it with a neighbor—just like the Amish would!

For the Bread Batter:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk (or substitute—see below)
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda

For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

⅔ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

🥛 Buttermilk Substitute (If Needed):

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, make a simple homemade version:

Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup.
Fill with milk until you reach 2 cups.
Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes before using.

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans with butter or nonstick spray.
Lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking, or use parchment paper.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
This step incorporates air into the batter, which helps it rise and creates a tender crumb.

3. Add Eggs

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is mixed evenly.

4. Add Buttermilk

Pour in the buttermilk and mix until combined.
The batter will look slightly lumpy at this stage, but that’s normal.

5. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda.

6. Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Stir just until no streaks of flour remain—avoid over-mixing to keep the bread tender.

🌀 The Cinnamon Swirl

Now for the magical part—the cinnamon sugar swirl!

7. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Mix

In a small bowl, stir together ⅔ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.

8. Layer the Batter

Pour ¼ of the batter into the bottom of each prepared loaf pan.
Sprinkle each layer with ¼ of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Add another layer of batter to each pan.
Top with the remaining cinnamon sugar.

9. Swirl It!

Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter.
Don’t overdo it—you want ribbons of cinnamon sugar, not a complete blend.

🔥 Bake to Perfection

10. Bake

Place both pans in the center rack of your oven.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Ovens vary, so start checking around 45 minutes.

11. Cool

Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10–15 minutes.
Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

🧈 Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a pat of butter.
Toast slices and top with cream cheese or honey.
Pair with hot coffee, chai tea, or cold milk.
Use thick slices to make French toast—a decadent breakfast twist!

❄️ Storage and Freezing Tips

Room temperature: Store wrapped in foil or airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate: Keeps fresh for up to 1 week (especially helpful in humid climates).
Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze whole loaves or slices for up to 3 months.

To reheat, thaw and toast slices or warm in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.

🥧 Variations and Add-Ins

The beauty of Amish Cinnamon Bread is its versatility. Here are some fun ways to make it your own:

Variation	What to Do
Apple Cinnamon Bread	Fold in 1 cup finely chopped apples (peeled)
Nutty Swirl	Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter
Glazed Finish	Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze after cooling
Pumpkin Spice	Replace ½ cup of buttermilk with pumpkin puree + 1 tsp pumpkin spice
Chocolate Chip	Add ¾ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter

🧡 The Amish Philosophy Behind the Bread

The Amish are known for simple living, hard work, and community. Their recipes reflect these values—no frills, no shortcuts, just wholesome ingredients and care. Sharing food is a tradition among Amish families. Often, this cinnamon bread is made to gift, welcome guests, or bring to church gatherings.

By baking Amish Cinnamon Bread in your home, you're not just making a delicious treat—you’re participating in a tradition of connection, comfort, and simplicity.

🧠 Tips for Success

Use room temperature ingredients: Especially butter and eggs, for smoother mixing.
Don’t skip the swirl: It’s what creates that bakery-style, sweet surprise in every bite.
Let it cool fully before slicing: This ensures cleaner cuts and lets the crumb set.
Use quality cinnamon: The better the spice, the deeper and richer the flavor.

📝 Recipe Summary (Printable)