This bread machine Cinnamon Bread with Raisins recipe could not be easier! Throw all your ingredients in the bread machine and let it knead, rise, and bake. Enjoy your cinnamon raisin swirl bread for breakfast, as a snack, or with tea and coffee.
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This cinnamon swirl bread is absolutely delicious, a perfect sweet snack or a tasty breakfast bread to have with your coffee or tea.
Make it once, and it will become one of your favorite breads to make in the bread machine. It's a sweet, yeast bread that turns out fluffy every time.
Using the bread machine takes the guesswork and difficulty out of making cinnamon bread.
With the perfect recipe and ingredient ratio, this cinnamon swirl bread will have you planning when you're going to make it again.
This cinnamon swirl bread is easy peasy. It's made without having to hand fold and roll the cinnamon mix into the dough. The cinnamon swirl is instead added during the "mix-in" stage in your bread machines cycle.
All mixing, kneading, and baking takes place right in the bread machine. This makes for an easy recipe, along with easy clean up too.
If you don't yet have a bread machine and are browsing for recipes to see if it's worth getting one, it certainly is! While my Cuisinart bread machine is pricey, it is very well worth it.
The bread machine is easier and quicker than making bread by hand, especially when it comes to making yeast breads like this one.
What Other Recipes are Made Easy in the Bread Machine?
- Bread Machine Sun Dried Tomato Basil Bread
- Bread Machine Apple Bread
- Bread Machine Garlic Bread
- Bread Machine Zucchini Bread
- Homemade Spinach Pasta Dough for the Bread Machine
- Bread Machine Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts and Cranberry
- Always read the instructions for your brand of bread machine before following any recipe. While you can make any bread machine recipe using any brand, some have a different order for adding ingredients. Some machines also have a mix-in drawer rather than a timer for you to manually add mix-ins later.
- I have this Cuisinart Automatic Bread Maker. My recipe is for the order that Cuisinart recommends for their machines. Follow my recipe, but change the order that you add in the ingredients.
- This recipe is for a 1 pound loaf. If you're machine does not have a 1 pound setting, use the 1.5 pound setting. End the bake cycle 10 minutes early.
- Do not overheat the milk. Using a liquid that is too hot will kill the yeast.
- Most bread machines don't require proofing the yeast beforehand. But read your manual in case yours does.
- You can use instant, active, or bread machine yeast.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this cinnamon swirl bread you will need ingredients for the dough and a few others for the cinnamon raisin mix-in.
For the dough, you need:
- warm milk (110 degrees)
- unsalted butter
- egg
- salt
- brown sugar
- bread flour
- yeast (instant, active dry, or bread machine)
For the cinnamon raisin mix-in, you need:
- cinnamon
- white sugar
- raisins
Recipe Variations
Of all the breads you can make, cinnamon swirl is probably the most kid-friendly because of its sweetness.
But not all kids like raisins, and if you have babies who are just learning to chew with new baby teeth, the raisins may be too tough for them.
Therefore, use less raisins or chop them into small pieces.
Currants can be used in place of the raisins as well. Or, you can skip the raisins entirely and make a simple cinnamon bread.
Step-By-Step Directions
Cinnamon swirl bread is made in 4 simple steps using the bread machine.
- Warm the milk to 110 degrees. Add butter to the milk and put in the bread pan.
- Add the egg, salt, sugar, bread flour, and yeast to the bread pan in that order (for Cuisinart machines). If you have a different machine, check the instructions for the correct order to add ingredients. Select the basic/white bread function on the menu, choose the 1 pound loaf option and your crust color preference. If you don't have a 1 pound loaf setting, the 1.5 pound setting is fine.
- While the dough works its way through the kneading cycles, combine the cinnamon swirl mix-in: raisins, cinnamon, white sugar. The basic/white bread function on my Cuisinart runs through 3 kneading cycles. It will beep 5 times at the end of the second cycle. This is to signal that you should add mix-ins. Pour in the cinnamon swirl mix now. For other machines, follow the instructions for when to add mix-ins.
- The machine will continue to the third and last kneading cycle. If you're watching, you may notice that the raisins do not adhere to the dough ball immediately. Don't worry! They will as it continues to knead. At the end of the last kneading cycle remove the kneading paddle. If the dough is shaped funny, take it out, roll it into a ball, and put it back in. It will rise again and bake.
- Once done, remove it to a wire rack and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Recipe
Bread Machine Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Equipment
- bread machine
Ingredients
For Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 ½ tablespoon butter
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 ½ cups bread flour
- 1 ¾ teaspoon yeast, active dry or instant
For Cinnamon Swirl
- 1 ¼ cups raisins
- 3 tablespoon white sugar
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat the milk to 110°. Add the butter to the milk and and stir to melt. Add to the bread pan.
- Add the egg, salt, sugar, bread flour, and yeast to the bread pan in that order (for a Cuisinart machine). If you have a different brand, follow the manual and add ingredients in the order it requires.
- Select the basic/white bread function on the menu. Change to 1 lb for size and select your crust color preference. Press start to begin cycle. (if your machine does not have a 1 lb setting, choose the 1.5 lb setting and end baking cycle 10 minutes early)
- While dough is kneading, combine the cinnamon swirl ingredients in a separate bowl. The machine will sound with 5 beeps at the end of the second kneading cycle. Add the cinnamon swirl ingredients to the dough now. The kneading cycle will continue automatically.
- At the end of the third kneading cycle (signaled with 6 beeps) remove the kneading paddle. Roll dough back into a ball and put back into the bread pan.
- When done, let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving and Storing
Serve bread machine cinnamon swirl bread plain or toasted with butter as a snack, for breakfast, or with your coffee and tea.
Freshly baked bread should be stored in an airtight baggie or container for about 3 days at room temperature.
You can also keep it in the fridge for about week.
Bread is perfect for storing in the freezer if you have extra. It'll keep for 6 months to a year and defrosts quickly when needed. Cut into slices before freezing for easy storage and quick defrosting.
I hope you enjoy it! If you made it let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear what you thought.
For more delicious recipes, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram! And if you loved this recipe make sure to give it a star rating!
Carissa
I’ve made this once for a 1 pound loaf and it was AMAZING. I just tried making it again for a 2 pound loaf, doubling the recipe and it overflowed out the top of machine (Cuisinart) any idea why this happened?
Kristina
Oh no! It's hard to say because there are many factors that could make it rise too high (I have had this happen too!). There could have been too much yeast, not enough salt, or too much liquid. Heat and humidity also play a big role. If it was humid or your kitchen was hot, that could also have caused it. I would say to try again and alter the recipe to see which one of these it was, but one by one. If it was a humid day, wait for a day with low humidity. If you don't think weather was a factor, add a little less liquid (minus 1/4 cup), then less yeast (minus 1/4 tsp), and then less salt (minus 1/4 tsp). Let me know how it goes!
Michelle
Great recipe but personally I’d add a bit more cinnamon. Bread was just the right texture and perfect on its own fresh out the machine. I’ll certainly be making this again! Thanks!!
Kristina
I am glad you enjoyed it! You can certainly add as much cinnamon as you'd like. -Kristina
Don
When I made this, the rainsins ended up in the bottom third of the loaf rather than evenly distributed. I also have a Cuisinart bread maker and I added the raisins at the 5-beep signal. I simply opened the lid and poured them in. What am I doing wrong?
Kristina
You're not doing anything wrong. Sometimes it's just the machine. Mine has done this a few times, so to avoid it happening you can use a spatula to move them around and help them stick to the dough initially, which will then get them to distribute throughout the dough while it kneads. Did you add the sugar and cinnamon with the raisins?
Kerrie
I made this bread a week ago.. Mine came out very dense. Like a bagel lol I followed the directions. I have a 1.5lb black and decker machine
Kristina
Oh no! There are a few reasons why a great bread recipe can turn out dense- even when your follow the recipe exactly! If the room was too cool or too warm, it could cause dense bread. One of the biggest reasons I find though, is that the salt and yeast accidentally came into contact. Not many people realize that when adding your ingredients, the yeast and salt cannot interact, even if just a little. When adding the yeast, make a little hole in the flour and put the yeast in there to prevent this. Did you use bread flour? Subbing with all purpose will slightly change the density too.
Mary YEO
I just baked the bread. It turns out very soft and fragrant!
Maybe next, I’ll make it into cinnamon rolls.
Thanks for the recipe!
Kristina
Cinnamon rolls sound awesome! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Darrin
Hi there...been eyeing this recipe for some time and will try this weekend. Your recipe states active or instant dry yeast but I have yeast for the bread machine, do I use a little less or more? Also, you indicated you use the Cuisinart Bread Machine, which model do you use? We tried making a fruit-nut bread a few weeks ago and when added at the prompting time, everything sank to the bottom. When we tried it again, we put at the beginning and everything was evenly spread. Do you encounter this issue?
Kristina
Hi Darrin- There is essentially no difference between instant yeast, active dry or bread machine yeast when using a bread maker. Bread machine yeast is basically the same as instant yeast, but is given a different name due to branding. It is a specially formulated instant yeast that's made to rise twice as fast. It can be used in this recipe in the same amount, no need to increase or decrease. I currently have a CBK-200 and I have not had a problem with the mix-ins sinking to the bottom. Sometimes, if it seems they aren't all incorporating and I am too worried to be patient and find out, I will aid them in sticking to the batter with a spatula. If you think the cinnamon raisin sugar mix will sink to the bottom, add them last before beginning the cycle. And if you'd like your bread on the sweeter side, double the sugar (as I've had my sweet tooth readers suggest). I would love to hear how your bread turns out!
Darrin
Hi Kristina,
We had the bread this morning with butter and bacon. This was by far one of the best raisin breads we ever had. Although there was no swirl of a cinnamon it was more like raisin explosion! Will certainly make this again and look at your other bread recipes.
Best regards,
Darrin
Kristina
That's great! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You should take a look at the bacon pull apart bread (not for the bread machine, but if you love bacon this is awesome). I'll be adding a cheddar jalapeno bread soon, too. I look forward to hearing about what else you try.
Wesley Hague
This recepie is good, and also thanks for including oven bake directions later on. While the bread Machine does great with the mixing, the pan size on my makes rather akward shaped bread. So being able to use the Machine to make the dough, and the oven to cook it, lets me make more traditional size bread. Which then works in the toaster.
Kristina
I'm glad you found it helpful and enjoyed the bread! I also find the shape of the bread pan not suitable for all occasions.
Pat
Do I need to make any adjustments to this recipe if I live at high altitude?
Kristina
Pat,
As a starting point, use 2 eggs to keep the bread from becoming dry. Because the recipe already uses bread flour, I think you are okay without adding any extra. And if you're baking it in the oven rather than the bread machine, increase the temperature about 15 degrees and reduce time- check it 10 minutes early. Bread will sound hollow when tapped if it's done. If not finished, check every 2 minutes after. Let me know how that works!
-Kristina
Amy
After a year of learning to make bread without a machine, I have decided I don't have a natural flair for it! But still wanting to make my own bread so I invested in a machine. OMG...... why did I not do that earlier?? This recipe was so easy and we loved it!
Natalie
What a lovely cinnamon bread. I bet it tastes so delicious. I love that you used butter in this recipe. I must give this a try. Can't wait!
Freya
I love raisin bread, it’s so yummy and homely. Thank you for sharing your recipe, I can’t wait to try it!
Linda
I've been eyeing to get a new machine especially now that we're home most of the time and this will be my first recipe to make!
Biana
Yum! This bread looks so good, and I love that you can make it in the bread machine.
Jessica Formicola
There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh baked bread, and this cinnamon bread totally takes the cake! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Chef Dennis
We just had this for breakfast and it's super yummy!
Jere Cassidy
We are total carb addicts here and there is nothing better than cinnamon bread. I don't have a bread machine anymore but will just bake it in the oven.
Alexandra
Absolutely delicious - smells and tastes amazing!
Jim
Has anyone tried making this in a part of the world where ounces aren't used, please?
I can convert it to grams but sometimes a straight conversion doesn't quite work as it should.....
Thanks in advance.
Nora
This is the PERFECT recipe for my daughter! She loves raisins and cinnamon! I must bake this for her next weekend immediately!
Heather
This recipe turned out great! I used a tbsp of cinnamon and the 1.5 lb setting on my bread machine, since I don’t have a 1 lb setting. I didn’t add raisins since I have no luck with them, my machine just chews them up. I’m looking forward to trying cheese bread with the same ratios and ingredients. I presume you would use grated cheddar cheese, but any recommendations on how much?
Kristina
Hi Heather, I am so glad you liked it! I love cheese bread too, and use grated/shredded cheese to make pepperoni bread, sun dried tomato bread, and cranberry brie bread. I use 1 cup of shredded cheese and 1/4 cup of parmesan per 2 1/2 cups of bread flour. Sometimes I put more cheese on top about 15 minutes before the bread is done baking. If you search the site, you'll find these bread recipes. If you just want the cheese bread without the pepperoni/cranberry/tomatoes, you can eliminate them and keep the rest of the recipe the same. Let me know how your bread turns out. Happy baking!
Heather
Thanks Kristina! So I can use the same recipe as the cinnamon swirl and add the cheese instead of the cinnamon mixture at the beeps?
Kristina
Yes- but I wouldn't use brown sugar. I'd replace it with white sugar.
Heather
This turned out fantastic! Next time I will up the flavour quotient and use better cheese, but it was amazing how great this recipe is. For other folks out there, I’m using an older Regal Kitchen Pro bread machine, I doubt they make them anymore, so I’m sure when I upgrade my machine this will be even better. Thanks so much Kristina for a great and reliable recipe! They are so hard to find online these days.
Kristina
That's great!! I am so glad this recipe is working for you and you're able to use it's base for other breads. Thank you for the kind feedback...I hope others are enjoying it as much as you! My advice, if you didn't do so already, is to shred a block rather than use pre-shredded.
Ashley
What if you machine doesn’t beep at the end of cycles? I have an hour and 30 min dough cycle, suggestions on when to add?
Kristina
Hey Ashley! In that case, it is best to consult the manual for your brand and see when it says to add mix-ins. I can't really speak for it without knowing which brand you have. If you don't have a manual, let me know what machine you have and I will try to find out for you.
Leslie
I really appreciate this recipe! There are so many good bread recipes out there but not a whole lot of recipes using a bread machine. This is perfect!
Natalie
This bread looks really delicious. I will definitely give your recipe a try. Cinnamon swirl sounds quite nice!
Christina
Yum! I can't wait to make this!
Jessie
Oh my goodness! I feel like I can smell the cinnamon off of these photos! Terrific recipe a d I can’t wait to try it!
Lindsay
This looks so delicious! I think I'm going to need a bread maker for christmas!
Celeste
This was so good. I might add a little extra cinnamon next time.
Kristina
I'm so glad you liked it! Let me know how it turns out with more cinnamon. Enjoy!!
Lisa
This looks delicious! We are a bread eating family and our daughter loves to help with baking. Perfect combination! Your pictures and directions are super helpful! 🙂
Marie
Tastes delicious!
Kristina
Hi Marie. You should be able to switch with gluten free flour on a 1:1 ratio. Enjoy!
Andrea
This bread is so so so good!! I always plan to freeze the leftovers, but we never have any!! Next time I need to make 2 loaves!
Pam
Amazing! Forget the store bought stuff. This right here is where it’s at! Easy and healthy snack!
Janice Hobbs
I left a five star review a few weeks ago after I had made this bread, and now I wish I could have left a six star review. I have taken Kristina's flour, sugar, milk, egg, salt and yeast measurements and I have found those ratios to be PERFECT to make many varations of bread. I have used that base to make anything from white bread to cheese bread and any other breads that I wanted to create! Just interchange the sugar with white, light brown, dark brown or whatever you want. The same goes for the fat. Just use butter, shortening, canola oil, olive oil, or again, whatever you want. I also found out that you can use buttermilk. Just use her measurements. The breads I have made so far have turned out perfect. Soft, tender, flavorful and with a beautiful rise. I have not needed to add any additional flour or liquids! I have actually written those ratios down and posted them inside my pantry. Kudos Kristina!
Kristina
This is great Janice! And so sweet of you to come back and let me know. Thank you! I'm glad you've been able to make so many more delicious breads with the ratios in this one. Keep on baking!
Manuela
Usually I never comment on blogs but this is great!
Janice Hobbs
I just had to try this recipe! It hasn't been out of bread maker an hour yet and it is over half eaten! Phenomenal! The house smells of autumn. Living in the north Georgia mountains, I added a diced red apple to the dough when I added the cinnamon swirl ingredients and it couldn't have turned out better. Thank you for such a wonderful bread maker recipe and please keep them coming!
Kristina
Wow, that sounds delicious! I may need to make this again this weekend, with some of our fresh orchard apples. Thanks for the idea, and I am glad it's not lasting long 🙂
Alin
Mine came out with zero swirls? Added cinnamon mixture at the right moment. The loaf just turned out to be cinnamon flavored bread. This recipe may only apply to certain machines
Kristina
Hi Alin,
Sorry to hear there were no swirls! It could be the bread maker (I use a Cuisinart), but it's more likely because you don't remove the bread and roll the cinnamon swirl mixture into it with this recipe. Since we are letting the bread machine take care of the all the mixing, the cinnamon swirl mixture does get incorporated more into the dough than by hand recipes. However, it should still partially stick together in "swirls". If you prefer it with more swirls, use the dough function. Then remove the dough, punch it down a few times, roll it out and add the cinnamon swirl. Then roll the dough back into a log shape and let it rise for 10 minutes. Bake it about 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees. If you want to walk through these instructions in more detail, I'd be happy to!
-Kristina
Pat
Can you substitute Unbleached all purpose flour for the bread flour?
Kristina
Hi Pat,
Yes, you absolutely can! Use a 1:1 ratio when subbing with all purpose flour. Bread flour just has a little more protein than all purpose flour, which helps to release the gluten in breads and doughs. This means that if you use all purpose flour the end result will be a little less chewy, but it will still be good!
Sylvia
Thanks for the recipe! I made it today substituting raisin with walnuts. It came looking exactly like yours and the taste is delicious !
Kristina
Thanks, Sylvia! Raisins in this bread sounds fantastic. I'm glad you've enjoyed it!
Nikki
This looks delicious! I've been looking for a cinnamon bread that could be done completely in the machine without having to take out and roll and swirl by hand. My only question is, my bread maker doesn't have a 1lb option, just 1.5 or 2, will this work with the 1.5 or do I need to make any adjustments?
Kristina
Great question, and I have not yet made a 1.5 or 2 pound loaf with this recipe. You should not have to adjust the ingredients, although you can easily double them to make a 2 pound loaf. If not, try using the 1.5lb option keeping the ingredient proportions the same, but make sure that the bread only bakes for 3 hours and 20 minutes. With a bigger loaf size, your machine might program it to cook for longer. Let me know how it turns out!
Jerrie
Can you use apples in this recipe
Kristina
Sure I think that would work! A few of my readers have used the same dough recipe but changed the mix ins and said it came out really good. Let me know how it turns out!