There’s a small wooden box in my kitchen that holds my grandmother’s handwritten recipes, and nestled between a sticky note and a faded grocery list is the one that changed how I feel about baking forever—her Amish cinnamon bread recipe. The first time I made it, I was still teaching high school and came home needing a little comfort. The house filled with the scent of warm cinnamon and sugar crusting just right on top. From that moment onward, it became more than just bread; it turned into a cherished ceremony.
This simple, no-fuss Amish cinnamon bread recipe doesn’t need a starter or fancy techniques. It’s just pantry staples and that signature sweet swirl that turns a quiet morning into something special. Whether you’re baking for family, giving loaves as gifts, or sneaking a slice before bed (been there), this one always brings smiles.This also illustrates the Amish baking custom, where recipes are inherited, exchanged, and never hurried.
If you’re a fan of nostalgic bakes like this, you’ll probably also love cinnamon donut bread or this cozy date nut bread—both make great kitchen companions.
Ingredients for Amish Cinnamon Bread
Gather These Pantry Staples
Here’s everything you need to make this sweet, moist loaf that’s somewhere between cake and bread. No starter, no waiting—just mix and bake.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| White sugar | 1 cup |
| Buttermilk | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Vegetable oil | ½ cup |
| Cinnamon (for swirl) | 1½ tsp |
| Additional sugar (for swirl) | ⅓ cup |
After your first loaf, don’t be surprised if you’re inspired to try banana bread Hawaiian-style or the old-fashioned Libby’s pumpkin bread for a seasonal twist.
How to Make Amish Cinnamon Bread
Simple Steps, Big Comfort
This Amish cinnamon bread recipe skips the fuss. No yeast, no starter—just straightforward baking you can trust every time. You’ll be amazed how the cinnamon-sugar swirl creates a coffee cake vibe with barely any effort.
- Preheat & Prep:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two loaf pans measuring 8 by 4 inches by greasing them or lining them with parchment paper. This recipe makes two loaves—one to share, one to keep. - Mix the Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the buttermilk, egg, and oil. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix. - Make the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup sugar and 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon. This becomes the magic swirl inside the bread. - Layer & Swirl:
Pour half the batter into each loaf pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar mixture over both. Add the rest of the batter and top again with remaining cinnamon-sugar. With a butter knife, carefully weave cinnamon into the upper portion of each loaf. - Bake:
Bake the loaves for forty-five to fifty-five minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Ovens vary, so start checking around 45 minutes. - Cool & Slice:
Allow the loaves to rest in their pans for ten minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Slice once fully cooled for cleaner cuts.
And just like that—you’ve baked up something rustic, soft, and packed with sweet spice. Want to try a slightly lighter version? Many bakers enjoy adapting this base into cottage cheese cloud bread for a protein-packed twist.
The Meaning Behind Amish Cinnamon Bread
Tradition, Simplicity, and a Sweet Loaf That Connects Generations
The Amish cinnamon bread recipe isn’t just a popular bake—it’s rooted in a beautiful tradition of sharing and simplicity. For generations, Amish communities have valued recipes that are resourceful, nourishing, and meant to bring people together. This bread is no exception.
What is the Amish Bread Tradition?
At the heart of Amish baking is something called Amish Friendship Bread. It begins with a starter—a fermented mix of flour, sugar, and milk—passed from neighbor to neighbor. Each person adds to it, bakes from it, and gives it away, creating a cycle of community that’s as warm as the bread itself. While the recipe we’re baking today skips the starter, it carries the same spirit of generosity.
This tradition isn’t just about food. It’s about connection. In many Amish homes, the simple act of baking and sharing something like cinnamon bread is a way of checking in with neighbors, offering comfort during hard times, or celebrating everyday joys.
For more breads that honor heritage baking, the marble rye bread recipe on the blog also brings timeless tradition to your kitchen table.
What prevents the use of metal with Amish Friendship Bread?
Here’s a fun fact: in traditional Amish bread recipes that use a starter, you’re often advised not to use metal bowls or utensils. That’s because metal, especially aluminum, can interfere with the natural fermentation process of the starter by reacting with its acidity. Stainless steel is typically safe, but to keep it old-school and fermentation-friendly, wooden spoons and glass or plastic bowls are the go-to tools.
That said, since this Amish cinnamon bread recipe doesn’t use a starter, you don’t need to worry about that rule here. It’s easy, beginner-friendly, and bakes beautifully in standard metal loaf pans.
You can also explore Ezekiel bread recipes if you’re curious about other historical loaves with spiritual and communal roots.
Why Cinnamon Makes This Bread So Irresistible
Fragrance, Flavor—and a Bit of Baking Chemistry
We love cinnamon because it smells like warmth, comfort, and holidays. But in your Amish cinnamon bread recipe, this spice does more than make your kitchen smell amazing—it actually changes the character of the dough.
What Does Cinnamon Do to Bread Dough?
Cinnamon, at its core, is both an aromatic and a mild dough conditioner. Here’s how it interacts with bread:
- Cinnamon blends into the sugar and penetrates between layers, rather than merely coating the surface. It subtly seeps into the batter while baking, delivering that unmistakable warmth with every bite.
- Color + crust: Cinnamon can deepen browning thanks to natural oils and sugars, creating those beautiful golden ripples in your baked loaf.
- Fermentation slowdown (in yeasted breads): In traditional Amish Friendship Bread (which uses a yeast-based starter), cinnamon has a slightly slowing effect on yeast activity, meaning it’s usually added later or only in the swirl. In our no-yeast version, you get the full cinnamon punch without worrying about fermentation at all.
Looking to play with flavor profiles? Some bakers enjoy blending cinnamon with nutmeg or even cardamom. The cranberry walnut bread recipe is another great example of how spices and mix-ins bring layers of flavor.
What Are the Ingredients in Cinnamon Bread Recipes?
Despite variations, most Amish-style cinnamon bread recipes follow a basic formula:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Fat (butter or oil)
- Egg
- Buttermilk or yogurt
- Baking soda or baking powder
- A cinnamon-sugar mixture for the swirl
These humble ingredients are what make it shine. In fact, you can even adapt the batter to create flourless cottage cheese bread for a gluten-free version with a protein kick.
If you want to boost moisture, consider swapping half the oil for applesauce or trying Greek yogurt like in our cottage cheese blueberry cloud bread.
FAQs About Amish Cinnamon Bread
Why is metal unsuitable for making Amish Friendship Bread?
Traditional Amish Friendship Bread uses a fermented starter. Metal—especially aluminum—can react with the starter’s acidity, potentially interfering with its natural fermentation. That’s why non-metal tools like wooden spoons and glass bowls are preferred.
What is the Amish bread tradition?
It’s centered around community. A starter is passed between friends and neighbors, and each person uses part of it to bake and gift loaves. It’s about sharing, simplicity, and connection—values deeply rooted in Amish culture.
What are the ingredients in cinnamon bread recipe?
Flour, sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, egg, oil, and a swirl made from cinnamon and sugar. No yeast needed. This version keeps it simple while packing in rich flavor and moisture.
What does cinnamon do to bread dough?
Cinnamon adds more than flavor—it helps color the crust, infuses the loaf with aroma, and, in yeasted recipes, can slow fermentation slightly. In quick breads like this one, it gives the perfect balance of warmth and sweetness.
Conclusion
This Amish cinnamon bread recipe is the kind of bake that quietly becomes part of your story. It’s easy, generous, and dependable—just like the tradition behind it. Whether you slice it for breakfast or gift a loaf to a friend, it wraps your kitchen in the smell of kindness.
And if your cinnamon stash runs low? No worries—banana muffins or pumpkin bread can fill in until your next cinnamon fix.
Print
Amish Cinnamon Bread Recipe That Warms the Soul
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This no-yeast Amish cinnamon bread recipe is moist, sweet, and layered with cinnamon sugar. An easy bake that feels like a warm hug.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup vegetable oil
1½ tsp cinnamon
⅓ cup sugar (for swirl)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line two loaf pans.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Add buttermilk, egg, and oil. Stir just until combined.
4. Mix ⅓ cup sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
5. Pour half the batter into pans. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar.
6. Add remaining batter and top with rest of cinnamon-sugar.
7. Swirl the top gently with a knife.
8. Bake 45–55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to wire rack.
10. Slice when fully cooled.
Notes
This recipe makes two loaves. Wrap one and freeze for up to 2 months. Swap buttermilk with 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg