Cinnamon Swirl Toast with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
There are few baking experiences more satisfying than making a loaf of bread. Nothing fancy – a tall, golden brown loaf with a delicate crumb is so simple and rewarding, and the aroma of it baking in the oven fills the house with love and comfort. Last Christmas my good friend, Debby, at A Feast For the Eyes, introduced me to the wonderful recipes and products available on-line at King Arthur Flour’s website. Debby is a fantastic baker and you will find more KA recipes and baking tips if you stop by for a visit. I have bought KA flours for years at my local market but wasn’t aware of all of their other products that make baking so much easier and more successful. They ran a free shipping special a few weeks ago on their website and I knew that was my chance to purchase some heavy products that I wouldn’t otherwise try. My first baking attempt with my new products was Cinnamon Bread because slices of it toasted sounded wonderful with some homemade strawberry-rhubarb jam or honey and it gave me a chance to try handling the dough more than just shaping it and baking it.
Cinnamon Swirl Yeast Bread Fresh From the Oven
There are a number of KA products that improve the quality of homemade bread. Their ” loaf improvers” as they call them include products like vital wheat gluten, baker’s special dry milk and easy roll dough improver that you can read about here. Believe me, they make a big difference in the texture and flavor of a loaf of bread.
Cinnamon Swirl Bread - 1st Try
My first attempt to make a recipe of cinnamon bread started out perfectly. The dough was easy to handle, it rose beautifully and smelled heavenly while it was baking. But everything went south the last ten minutes in the oven and this is what the loaf ended up looking like…very disappointing. I called the customer service line at King Arthur Flours and the very helpful person I spoke with told me that there were several possible reasons for this collapse: too much moisture in the dough, over rising or too low an oven temperature. I knew my oven is right on so it had to be one or both of the other options. On my second try I was very careful about the water I added and made sure the dough didn’t do any more than double on the first rising. I used instant yeast so it didn’t need to be dissolved in liquid.
Cinnamon Swirl Yeast Bread - 2nd Try
My second try was just what I hoped for and this morning for breakfast we are enjoying our cinnamon toast with jam and honey. I know that many of you are as nervous as I am about using yeast and hope you will check out the KA products that make the whole experience so much easier. I know I shouldn’t do it, but I’m going to have another slice of toast with my second cup of coffee.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY TO YA’
NOTE: I didn’t receive any compensation in any form from King Arthur Flours. I just love their products and their very helpful customer service and want to share that with you.
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so glad to hear they are so helpful. Have not called them yet. As for the first loaf..I could eat it anyway.
Susan recently posted..A great wine and an apology
We did eat it anyway, Susan. It was just as good as the re-do. I just wanted to see if I could make it right so it didn’t collapse. There is something so satisfying about baking bread.
Cathy recently posted..Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Good for you for persevering! That second loaf looks spectacular, and I didn’t know the King Arthur company had a help line, that’s so cool.
Sue/the view from great island recently posted..Beef Bourguignon: Ina Garten, # 39 on Gourmet’s List of Women Game Changers
Happy St Patrick’s Day to you Cathy and your bread looks delicious! I have baked this before so I know how fragrant and delicious this is:D
Jeannie recently posted..Ciabatta – Bake Along #20
I would be afraid that I would eat the whole loaf in one sitting ………….. but not that afraid …………
Looks fabulous!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..A Marriage Made in Heaven …….. Bailey’s Irish Cream & French Silk!
Beautiful swirl, Cathy! And a great learning experience, it sounds like. I bet the first one still tasted pretty darn good. And yes, I totally want a piece of that loaf toasted and buttered – yum! I hope you’ll share it w/ BYOB this month (http://www.girlichef.com/2012/03/byob-bake-your-own-bread-march-2012.html).
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Savory Sesame Bread Rings (Ka’kat) & Roasted Thyme Sesame Blend (Za’atar)
Boy, that looks tempting, Cathy! I usually BUY cinnamon bread…I’ve never tried making it at home. I’m glad it came out right for you the second time around & thank you for sharing what you learned, too.
Very pretty WHITE background items that really focused on the yummy bread & that spark of RED JAM!
I’m no longer pinning on Pinterest, due to fear of legal issues…did you read my last pin?? They are removing all the meta copyright info from every picture posted & they reserve the right to SELL any photo that is pinned!!!!! That is SO wrong! Also, if someone sues because of copyright violation, the pinner is liable NOT Pinterest!!!!!!!!!! Unreal!!!
I’m going to do a post about it this weekend….after I have some green beer to settle down my Irish temper.
Hugs,
Rett
Rettabug recently posted..♣ ♣ Top O’ The Mornin’ to You! ♣ ♣
That swirl looks professional. Great loaf of bread Kathy, wish I had a warm slice with some butter melting on it. Man!
Lea Ann recently posted..Patsy’s Italian Restaurant, Denver
Picture Perfect Cathy! I agree with you about the loaf improver; I made mine and it does make a difference. Saved this recipe On my Board Recipes I have to try. Thank you.
Rita
Beautiful bread – loooovvvee cinnamon.
Virtually Homemade – Liz recently posted..Blueberry Mint Lemonade Granita
Awwwwww, Cathy! Thank you for the wonderful mention and link. I’m so glad that the KAF shopping bug bit you, too. My husband teases me at how often the UPS toy truck delivers my goodies from them. The KAF hotline folks are so friendly. Thanks for sharing the boo-boo, and I’m sorry that it happened. It looks like your second loaf was successful. I’ve been craving cinnamon bread, as of late. In fact, I want to make some, so I can make great French toast with it. As always, your photos are stellar. Hugs, Debby
Foodiewife recently posted..Guinness Glazed Pork Chops with Irish Colcannon
Your bread is beautiful Cathy! I love King Arthur Flour, their blog is great:@)
Your bread looks wonderful! I’m afraid we would go through the entire loaf in one morning!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Fried Alligator
What a perfect loaf of bread. We love anything with cinnamon in our house, This bread would be a big hit, especially with butter and some marmalade!
I have been using KA flour for a long time, too.
Kirsten@ My Kitchen in the Rockies recently posted..Organic Collard-Cauliflower Soup
I don’t bake bread, but would I ever love eating this. Yummmmo!
Marilyn recently posted..Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Looks like the second time was the charm. Once I started measuring the temperature of water with a thermometer, my yeast breads vastly improved. Wish I had a slice or two for tomorrow’s breakfast.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Culatello at The Antica Corte Pallavicina
King Arthur flour is not available in Canada but I do pick it up whenever I am in the States. Their web site is fantastic as well!As for cinnamon bread it reminds me of my childhood!
bellini recently posted..Game Changing Lemon Chicken Breasts and Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
The first loaf doesn’t look bad…2nd try looks bakery perfect.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Pineapple Apple Salsa
Cathy, your bread looks fabulous! I’m a bread baker, too…love the smell, taste and texture of homemade. I also checked the snickerdoodle recipe…oh so yummy sounding. Thanks for the tip on buying vanilla beans at Costco!!
Kitty recently posted..Spring Irish Stew with Roasted Cabbage Wedges
That looks so delicious, it is cold and rainy here this morning and I would love a piece of that bread!!
Rhonda recently posted..Favorite Things #12 – Cookbooks!
I’d have sworn that KA gave you something in order to write this and so I’m doubly impressed by them that it’s all from your heart. I think much more highly of a product when someone plugs it just because they want to.
The bread is amazing. Even that first one looks great to me. I don’t mind a more dense loaf, especially if it’s swirled with cinnamon!
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time recently posted..The Sunday Sip – Tennis Balls, Our Girls, and Dish of the Week
I love cinnamon bread and it makes delicious french toast! I love KA too
Karen recently posted..Sourdough Bread
The smell of the cinnamon bread baking must have been wonderful. Thank you for the tips. It is nice to know that KA is so helpful as well.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Fish Tacos…Special Requests Don’t Upset Us
It’s always been my favorite for toast. Don’t know why I don’t make it more often. Your loaf is perfect, Cathy. And I bet your first loaf tasted just as good.
Barbara recently posted..Jasmine Shortbread Sandwiches with Grapefruit Curd
BEE U Tiful! That King Arthur sure is smart!
It looks wonderful!
Kathleen recently posted..Let’s DISH! Wednesdays at 7 PM Announcing…
Yummy! I will have to start baking when I retire. Right now, I just really don’t have the time….too many horses….too many hobbies!
Ramona recently posted..I’m a big head….
Hi Cathy, cinnamon bread is one of my favorite. I wish I had the patience that you did while baking. Your loaf looks great.
Lyndsey @The Tiny Skillet recently posted..Salmon Rice Salad
Mmm…love cinnamon swirl bread – this looks wonderful. I didn’t know that KA had products to help you with improving your loaf. I could definitely use that as I am not great with yeast for whatever reason.
Becki’s Whole Life recently posted..Slow-Cooker Thai Coconut Chicken Curry
I wanted a sandwhich roll recipe, I just knew I had the ingredients to make them. I googled thise key words and your blog is the first one that came up, I’ve also looked at a few other of your bread recipes and cannot wait to try m aking bread! So glad to have found you!
Miranda recently posted..E at 16 weeks!
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