Ever since I shared this bread on Instagram people have been asking for the recipe. I finally perfected it and found time to sit down and write it out, enjoy!!
So first I make my easy white bread recipe then add in the special ingredients to up it a notch.
Bread Ingredients:
- 3 1/4 cups All-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1/2 tbsp salt, fine grain
- 1 packet quick rise yeast
- 1 1/2 cups water
Filling Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, extra soft
- 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Crunch Topping Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cups packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour or bread flour
Directions:
- First, warm the water (1.5 cups) to about 100 degrees F. A little more or less is fine. I usually measure it in a glass measuring cup and put it in the microwave for about 40 seconds, then take the temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it’s the right temp. Don’t go any hotter than 110 degrees F – it might kill the yeast.
- Then, add the warm water to a large bowl, along with a packet of yeast, or 2.25 teaspoons and 1/2 tablespoon of table salt. Whisk together until the yeast and salt are dissolved.
- Finally, add the flour – 3.25 cups – all at once, and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is uniformly wet.
- Once the dough is mixed, just cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm-ish spot for two or three hours. It should double in size at least.
- After it has doubled in size sprinkle flour on a solid surface and put your dough on it. Using a rolling pin, roll out your dough into a rectangle.
- Spread softened butter all over the top of the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border uncovered. The softer the butter is, the easier it is to spread.
- Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle evenly all over the butter (you can always more if it looks like it isn’t enough)
- Next tightly roll the dough into a log shape and place it on the seam.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the log in half lengthwise.
- Criss-cross one half on top of the other half two times– forming a double X. Tightly twist the two together. Pinch the outer edges to seal as best you can. Place in prepared loaf pan and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
- Cover the loaf and rise for 30 more minutes.
- Whisk the (toppings) melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour together. Spoon over loaf right before baking.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees ( I placed a baking sheet under the bread pan since the topping does overflow, less mess)
- Bake for 45-55 min or until the top of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on
