Cranberry-Vanilla Cinnamon Swirl Bread
This Cranberry-Vanilla Cinnamon Swirl Bread is a delightful twist on traditional coffee cake. It’s not overly sweet, making it a perfect addition to your holiday breakfast table, a thoughtful hostess gift, or a delicious snack for your coffee break.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- 10″ (inside diameter) ring mold or 10″ tube pan
- Greased surface for dough
- Large over-turned bowl for rising
- – Oven
- Wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
- Dough
- 1 1/4 cups 283g water
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons 28g softened butter
- 2 tablespoons 25g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon 14g King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/4 teaspoons 8g table salt
- 1/4 cup 28g Dry Milk or nonfat dry milk
- 1/4 cup 43g potato flour
- 3 cups 360g All-Purpose Flour
- Filling
- 1/2 cup 74g Cinnamon Filling Mix* or substitute
- 2 tablespoons 28g water
- 1 cup 170g chopped dried cranberries (optional)
- *To substitute: Mix 1/2 cup 3 1/2 ounces granulated sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons cinnamon (to taste) and 1 tablespoon soft butter.
- Glaze
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste or King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoons 28g milk
- 1/2 cup 57g confectioners’ sugar
- Garnish optional
- 2 tablespoons Swedish pearl sugar
Instructions
- Dough
- Mix all dough ingredients to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. The dough may be sticky at first, so use non-stick spray on your hands and work surface.
- Place the dough in a covered bowl and let it rise until almost double (45 minutes to 1 hour). Refrigerate overnight if desired, especially for brunch.
- After the first rise, grease your hands and a 10″ (inside diameter) ring mold or 10″ tube pan. Pat out the dough into a 12″ x 18″ rectangle on a greased surface.
- Filling
- Combine the Baker’s Cinnamon Filling and water, or use the substitute mixture. Spread it over the dough and sprinkle with dried cranberries.
- Roll the dough into a log, starting with a shorter side, and pinch the seam together. Cut the log into 10 to 12 equal pieces.
- Arrange the pieces in the pan so they overlap slightly. Cover and let the bread rise for 15 to 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until firm and golden brown. The center should measure 190°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan.
- Glaze
- Just before serving, make the glaze by combining all the ingredients, adding enough milk to make it pourable. Turn the bread out of the pan and drizzle the glaze over it. Garnish with pearl sugar.
Notes
This Cranberry-Vanilla Cinnamon Swirl Bread is more than just a loaf; it’s a warm embrace on a chilly morning, a centerpiece that captures the essence of the holidays, and a sweet gift from your heart to the ones you love. With its delightful swirl of cinnamon, the tangy zing of cranberries, and the comforting aroma of vanilla, it’s the perfect companion for your morning coffee or an impressive addition to your brunch table. Bake it, share it, and savor the joy it brings.
Notes:
To make this bread even more festive, consider adding a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the filling for a delightful crunch.
If you choose to refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise, be sure to remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding with shaping and filling.
This bread keeps well for a few days when stored in an airtight container. You can also slice it and freeze individual slices for a quick, reheatable treat.
Experiment with different dried fruits like raisins, cherries, or blueberries to create your unique flavor twist.
The pearl sugar garnish not only adds a touch of elegance but also a delightful crunch. If you don’t have pearl sugar, consider using coarse sugar crystals or omitting it entirely; the bread will still be delicious.
If you choose to refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise, be sure to remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding with shaping and filling.
This bread keeps well for a few days when stored in an airtight container. You can also slice it and freeze individual slices for a quick, reheatable treat.
Experiment with different dried fruits like raisins, cherries, or blueberries to create your unique flavor twist.
The pearl sugar garnish not only adds a touch of elegance but also a delightful crunch. If you don’t have pearl sugar, consider using coarse sugar crystals or omitting it entirely; the bread will still be delicious.