This Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread Is So Good, You’ll Want to Keep It a Secret!

Have you ever baked something so delicious that you almost didn’t want to share it? That’s exactly how I feel about this Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread. The first time I made it, the aroma filled my kitchen, and when I took that first bite, I was in heaven. The soft, fluffy bread with the sweet, spicy cinnamon sugar was irresistible. I almost wanted to keep it all to myself! But, of course, I couldn’t resist sharing it with my family, and now I’m sharing it with you. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to make this amazing bread, plus a few variations to make it even more special. Let’s dive in!

The Classic Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Let’s start with the classic recipe. This is the one that stole my heart, and I know it’ll steal yours too.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 1/4 cup water, warmed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Optional Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Make the dough. Grab a large mixing bowl. Combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
• In another bowl, mix the warm milk, warm water, melted butter, and egg.
• Pour the wet stuff into the dry stuff. Mix it until it comes together.
• Slowly add the remaining 1 cup of flour. Keep mixing until you get a soft dough.
• Sprinkle some flour on your counter. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy.
• Put the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour—or until it doubles in size.
• Prep the filling. In a small bowl, stir the sugar and cinnamon together.
• When the dough’s ready, punch it down. Roll it out on a floured surface into a big rectangle—about 12×20 inches.
• Spread the softened butter all over the dough.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mix evenly on top.
• Slice the dough into strips—about 4 inches wide.
• Stack those strips on top of each other.
• Cut the stack into squares or rectangles—around 4 inches each.
• Grease a loaf pan. Stand the dough stacks upright in the pan so you can see the layers.
• Cover it with a towel. Let it rise again for 30 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes—or until it’s golden brown.
• Cool it in the pan for 10 minutes. Then move it to a wire rack.
• Optional glaze. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled bread.

There you go! A gorgeous, tasty Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread that’s perfect for any time you need a sweet fix.

Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Here are three twists that’ll make this bread even more drool-worthy.

Variation 1: Nutty Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Love a little crunch? This one’s got nuts to make it extra special.

Extra Ingredient:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Follow the classic recipe all the way to spreading the butter on the dough.
• Sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts evenly over the butter.
• Then add the cinnamon sugar mix on top.
• Keep going with the cutting and stacking steps from the main recipe.

Variation 2: Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Chocolate fans, this one’s for you. It’s like dessert heaven.

Extra Ingredient:

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Stick to the main recipe until you’ve spread the butter on the dough.
• Scatter the chocolate chips evenly over the butter.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mix on top.
• Follow the rest of the cutting and stacking steps as usual.

Variation 3: Apple Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Craving something fruity? Apples add a cozy twist to this treat.

Extra Ingredient:

• 1 medium apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Start with the classic recipe up to spreading the butter.
• Spread the diced apples evenly over the butter.
• Top it with the cinnamon sugar mix.
• Continue with the cutting and stacking from the main recipe.

FAQ

Q: Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A: Yep, you can! Swap in whole wheat flour for some or all of the all-purpose. Just know it might make the bread a bit denser. I’d try half-and-half first.

Q: How do I store the pull-apart bread?
A: Pop it in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Want it longer? Freeze it for up to a month. Reheat it before digging in.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Totally! Make the dough and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Just let it warm up to room temp before moving on.

Q: What if I don’t have instant yeast?
A: No worries. Use active dry yeast instead. Dissolve it in the warm milk and water first. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy, then mix it in.

Conclusion

There you have it—a recipe so good, you might just want to keep it a secret! Whether you go for the classic Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread or spice it up with one of the variations, you’re in for a real treat. Baking this bread is pure joy, and the smell? Out of this world. So, grab your ingredients, fire up the oven, and enjoy a slice (or two) of happiness. Made it? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how it went for you!