Easy Homemade Cinnamon Bread (Mom’s Recipe)

A soft, cinnamon-swirled quick bread that fills the house with cozy bakery smells

This cinnamon bread is one of those recipes that instantly makes a house feel like home. It comes straight from my mom’s recipe box, and it’s the kind of bread she could make on a whim—yet it always tasted like she’d been baking all day. The sweet cinnamon swirl, soft crumb, and buttery richness make it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee.

It’s also a wonderful bread to have on hand for unexpected company. Serve it warm, sliced thick, and watch it disappear. Simple ingredients, familiar flavors, and that unmistakable cinnamon aroma make this a recipe worth keeping and sharing.

Ingredients:

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
2/3 c. white or brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Batter
1 c. butter, softened
2 c.white or brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. buttermilk or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two loaf pans and set aside.

Prepare the cinnamon sugar.
In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, mixing well.

Slowly stir in the buttermilk (or milk mixture) until smooth and well combined.

Add the flour and baking soda, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.

Divide half of the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.
Sprinkle about 3/4 of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter in each pan.

Spoon the remaining batter evenly over the cinnamon sugar layer.

Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar over the tops. Using a knife, gently cut through the batter in a loose, wavy motion to create a swirl—do not stir.

Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the bread to cool in the pans for about 20 minutes, then carefully remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 Notes:

Brown sugar provides a more moist texture and it gives the bread a molasses-like flavor when compared to white sugar. Adding brown sugar to the topping mix provides a richer, caramel-like taste to the crust.  

This bread is very moist; if the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.

Letting it cool before slicing helps the swirl set nicely.

Serving Suggestions

This cinnamon bread is delicious all on its own, but here are a few comforting ways to serve it:

Breakfast or Brunch: Slice thick and serve warm with butter or a light spread of cream cheese. It pairs beautifully with coffee or hot tea.

Afternoon Treat: Enjoy a slice as an easy snack when company stops by—no fuss, just home-baked goodness.

Dessert-Style: Lightly toast a slice and drizzle with honey, or serve alongside fresh fruit.

Extra Cozy: Warm a slice and add a small pat of butter as it melts into the cinnamon swirl—simple and perfect.

This is the kind of bread that fits right in at the table any time of day.