Cinnamon Roll Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft and tender, this quick cinnamon bread is a cross between a cinnamon roll and coffee cake. It’s amazing on its own, but becomes a decadent treat with a simple glaze of cinnamon cream cheese. This loaf of cinnamon bread takes less than an hour to bake and is perfect for breakfast or brunch. 

A Delicious Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe

There’s just something so comforting and warm about fresh cinnamon bread, especially when it takes less than an hour to make. The slightly spicy and sweet scent fills the air and it just feels like everything is gonna be okay—especially once you get your hands on a slice. 

I love how the cinnamon swirl and cream cheese frosting elevate this from a quick bread recipe to maybe the best cinnamon rolls around (without all the actual rolling). No need to knead, this cinnamon swirl quick bread has a super tender texture and just the right amount of sugar to make this a sweet morning treat. My husband and kids love it! And I love that it’s so easy to make. 

If you’re craving the real deal, try out these apple filled cinnamon rolls, their amazing but you’ll have to let them rise, so save these for lazy weekends.

I don’t normally like frosting on my cinnamon bread but by adding cream cheese, it’s not as sweet as some and the cinnamon goes so well with the cinnamon in the bread itself.

​This is perfect with a cup of tea or coffee at brunch or for a mid morning snack. Make two and take one to a friend who needs a pick-me-up. For other quick bread recipes, try my pineapple zucchini bread or lemon blueberry loaf. or try my most popular recipe on Butter and Baggage: Homemade Buttery Cinnamon Bread. Inspired by the famous Dollywood treat, I came up with my own spin.

What’s the Difference Between Bread and Quick Bread? 

While they are both absolutely delicious, the main difference between the two is the use of yeast versus leavening agents. Quick breads are made with leavening agents, like baking soda and powder, that allow bread to rise immediately while “regular” bread is made with yeast, which needs time to rise properly. Quick breads are just as yummy, but less time-consuming and less intimidating for first-time bakers. 

Why You’ll Want to Make this Cinnamon Quick Bread Every Weekend

• Easy Recipe – Impress your friends and family with a delicious bread without dealing with first and second rises. 
• Cinnamon Sugar Mixture – This classic flavor combo that brings everyone back to their childhood. 
• Fresh Baked Bread – Once you’ve started making fresh bread at home, you’ll neve want to buy the store-bought stuff again. 
• Adaptable -You can make it less sweet by serving the frosting on the side.

You’ll Need Mostly Pantry Staples

Bread

Pantry staples – Flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Plus butter, eggs vanilla extract and buttermilk.

Cinnamon Swirl

Butter – Melted, please! 

Sugar and Spice – Brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt! 

Nuts – I like finely chopped pecans for this recipe. 

Frosting

Cream Cheese, butter and cream– Forms the base of the frosting, they should be room temperature. If you forgot to take it out, learn how to quickly soften cream cheese and how to soften butter.

Sugar and Spice – Powdered sugar and cinnamon for flavor! 

How To Make This Cinnamon Quick Bread Recipe

Step One: Whisk Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla. 

Step Two: Combine Ingredients

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined and you can no longer see pockets of flour, don’t overmix.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pecans. 

Step Three: Assemble 

Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Spoon ½ of the cinnamon mixture on top and swirl it into the batter with a knife. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon mixture, swirling it into the batter. 

Step Four: Bake Bread

Bake for 40 minutes. Tent with foil to prevent over browning and cook for an additional 13-15 minutes. A toothpick should come out with just a few crumbs. Let it cool for an hour before removing.

Step Five: Make Frosting

Add cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon and cream or milk to a mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Add additional cream depending on how thick or thin you want the frosting.

Drizzle over the cake. 

Small Changes You Can Make To Homemade Cinnamon Bread

• No buttermilk on hand? Learn how to make buttermilk with pantry items.
• Swap the finely chopped pecans for almonds, hazelnuts, cashews! Or leave them out entirely, I just love the extra texture they add. 
• Turn this into cinnamon raisin bread by adding—you guessed it–raisins!