Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

I was in the mood to bake bread the other night but I wanted to try a new recipe so I googled bread recipes and found one for Kalacs (Hungarian Cinnamon Swirl Bread). It was really simple to make and was delicious although it didn't seem any different than just making a basic bread recipe and adding cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins. I did make some very tiny changes so even though I've already linked the original recipe, I'll repeat the recipe below but with the changes I made.

Ingredients:
4 cups all purpose flour - I used 2 cups all purpose, 2 cups wheat
1/4 c white sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 (.25 oz) packet of dry yeast or 2 1/4 tsp.
1 egg
1/4 c melted butter
1 1/4 c warm milk (110 degrees)
1 t vanilla extract
melted butter for brushing
1 T ground cinnamon - more or less depending on how cinnamony you want it. I think I used more.
1/3 c brown sugar

I made this without a mixer because I don't own a stand or a hand mixer, although I've been pinky promised one for my birthday this year. If you click on the link near the top of the post, there are the original instructions on how to use a stand mixer, not that you couldn't figure it out yourself. You know, when I say mix I mean either by hand or with your mixer, whichever you have.

Mix the warm milk, sugar and yeast together. Set aside while the yeast activates (or wait about 10 minutes before adding other ingredients to your bowl.
Mix egg, vanilla and melted butter into the yeast bowl.
Slowly add in the flour and salt. Continue to mix until you get a doughy consistency. I did this with a whisk. The key is to add the dry ingredients very slowly or else it's very difficult to stir.

Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel and let sit in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours while the dough rises. Some good places are on top of a warm oven, on the counter above the dishwasher or my favorite place - on top of the dryer, while it's on of course. Only problem is, we don't have a dryer right now. Sad.

Once it's risen to about double the original size you'll want to punch it down. Seriously, just punch it a couple times. Sprinkle some flour on your counter and split the dough into two equal parts. This will make you two loaves. If you want to make smaller loaves, split it into 3 or 4 or however many little loaves you want.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle shape. You want it to be about 1/3 in. thick. Mix cinnamon and brown sugar together in a small bowl. Brush the rolled out dough with melted butter. Sprinkle with the brown sugar/cinnamon mix. Add any other items you'd like (raisins, nuts, etc.) and then roll the dough up, tuck the ends under and place in a greased bread pan. Repeat with the second loaf. Cover with a damp towel and let rise somewhere warm for 45 min.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brush tops of loaves with melted butter, then bake until golden brown. The recipe says 30 minutes, mine were good to go in 25 so be sure to check them.

Let cool, cut, and enjoy!

After you eat 80% of it when it's all warm and delicious, slice the rest up and toast in the morning for an awesome breakfast!