The first is in quiet, seated at a bar stool in my kitchen, alone except for my piping hot cup of coffee (or French Hot Chocolate). It’s peaceful, not lonely, and I am absolutely content for this private moment with a giant, fluffy slice of cranberry cinnamon swirl bread. My other favorite way to enjoy breakfast is crowded at a table with friends, passing plates (of Coffee Cake Muffins and Stuffed French Toast) from person to person, and reaching over to sneak just one more slice of cranberry cinnamon swirl bread from the plate. Both occasions are special to me for their own unique reasons and this sweet and fluffy bread is fitting for both.
How to Make Cranberry Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Whether enjoyed in a moment of solitude or at a chaotic holiday brunch, cinnamon swirl bread with cranberries is anything and everything I could hope for in a breakfast when the air is crisp and the excitement of the holidays is buzzing. Like these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting, this bread is wonderfully soft with a marvelously gooey filling, but it is far less heavy.
The Ingredients
Flour. Adapted from my Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Hazelnuts, this recipe uses a similar dough made from a blend of all-purpose and white whole wheat flour.Vital Wheat Gluten. My secret ingredient for making bread with whole wheat flour that’s light, soft, and fluffy (also my trick to the BEST Whole Wheat Pizza Dough). Yeast. Instant yeast that gets mixed right in with the other ingredients makes prep easy and fuss-free.Butter + Egg. Enrich the dough with fat and flavor—making it soft and unbelievably tender.Buttermilk. Lends additional fat and moisture to the dough and offers a subtle tang.Cranberries. Studded throughout the filling, fresh cranberries add moisture and tartness to the bread that contrasts the sweet filling beautifully.Orange. Adds subtle orange flavor and aroma to the bread dough and pairs perfectly with cranberry (as in my Cranberry Orange Sauce).Brown Sugar + Cinnamon. Provides the perfect gooey, sinfully sweet filling that oozes plentifully between the layers of soft dough.
The Directions
How to Store Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Swirl Bread
To Store. Leftover bread can be stored in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.To Freeze. Cover the bread tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Should I ever open a bed and breakfast, cranberry cinnamon swirl bread will be on the menu. Who wants to be my first guest?!
Related Recipes
Apple BreadHomemade Pumpkin Monkey BreadChocolate Chai Cinnamon Rolls
