Cinnamon Bread

I'd like to introduce you to someone. His name is cinnamon chip.

He's tiny and he makes a great addition to breads, cakes, and cookies. In fact, I think he's most famous for being in the Great Harvest Cinnamon Burst Bread. The only place I know of to buy him is at Prepared Pantry, which happens to be down the road from where I live. They ship worldwide, so you might wanna check it out if you don't live 'round these parts.

Here's a recipe for Cinnaburst Bread. It's so close to the Great Harvest Bread--who knows, maybe it IS their recipe. Of course bread is always best on the day it's made. This bread is soft and irresistible. If there's any left over after the first day, it makes great toast and french toast!

I've included more pictures with this recipe since it's a bread recipe. Some people say they can't make bread. I say YES you can!

In a mixer, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and sugar. Add eggs, water and oil. Beat well, scraping down sides of bowl if needed. Stir in salt, cinnamon, cinn chips, and 3-4 cups more flour. You'll know it's enough flour when the dough pulls away from the edge of the bowl. Knead in the mixer for 3-4 minutes.

Spray another bowl with cooking spray or rub with a little bit of oil and place dough inside of it.
Cover with a dishcloth and let raise until double:

Dump the dough out onto a floured surface - or in my case a pastry cloth. Do you have a pastry cloth? You need one. It seriously ranks in the top 5 of my kitchen tools. Really. Don't know what the heck a pastry cloth is? I'll tell you in another post sometime!

Divide the dough into two perfectly equal parts. Or not so equal.
Now form a loaf. I like to fold the ends in, then roll it up on the longer sides.
Pinch the edges together:
The place pinched side down:
Place the loaves into 2 greased pans.
Let it raise until double-ish. It will raise a bit more in the oven.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. It will be golden brown on the top. Don't underbake unless you like a dough filled center. : )

Cinnaburst Bread
1 1/2 Tbsp yeast
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups warm water
2 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 TBSP oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 cups cinnamon chips
5-6 cups flour (divided 2 cups, then remainder)

In a mixer combine yeast, sugar and eggs. Beat together. Add water, salt, and oil. Scrape down sides of bowl if needed. Add salt, cinnamon, cinn chips and remaining flour. Knead for a 3-4 minutes. Turn out into a greased bowl. Let raise until double.

Shape into loaves. Let raise until double. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.