Swedish Cinnamon Soft Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 50g (¼ cup) granulated sugar 50g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 60g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted 60g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• Additional ground cinnamon for sprinkling Additional ground cinnamon for sprinkling

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 10g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt.
2. 2.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the warm milk, melted butter, and beaten egg.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions.
8. 8.
   Shape each portion into a round ball and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each ball.
9. 9.
   Cover the dough balls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
10. 10.
    Sprinkle the risen dough balls with a generous amount of ground cinnamon.
11. 11.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Flour — Use high-quality all-purpose flour for the best results. Make sure to measure it accurately for consistent texture.
• Instant yeast — Ensure that the yeast is fresh and active to achieve a good rise in the dough.
• Ground cinnamon — Adjust the amount of cinnamon according to your preference for a stronger or milder cinnamon flavor.
• Warm milk — The milk should be warm to activate the yeast but not too hot to kill it. Aim for a temperature around 37°C (98°F).
• Butter — Melt the butter and let it cool slightly before adding it to the dough to avoid killing the yeast.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle the baked bread with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk.
• If you prefer a more pronounced cinnamon flavor, you can mix some cinnamon with the sugar before sprinkling it on the dough balls.
• To make the bread even more indulgent, you can add a handful of raisins or chopped nuts to the dough before shaping it into balls.
• Make sure to let the bread cool completely before storing it in an airtight container to maintain its softness.
• This bread is best enjoyed fresh, but you can also freeze the leftovers and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Swedish Cinnamon Soft Bread warm or at room temperature. It is delicious on its own, but you can also spread some butter or cream cheese on top for an extra layer of richness. Pair it with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a cozy and satisfying treat.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Swedish Cinnamon Soft Bread, you can dust the top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can also serve it on a wooden cutting board or a decorative bread basket to add a rustic touch.