I have been getting in touch with a few old friends over the past couple of days. A few phone calls later, it so transpired that a group of childhood friends were heading to my place for coffee this evening. And I so wanted to make something simple yet special! Nothing to beat the aroma of freshly baked homemade bread …. Enhanced with the spicy flavor of cinnamon.

The whole baking process took about an hour. By around 5 in the evening, the kitchen was awash with the freshly baked flavor. The golden brown crust and light soft and fluffy cinnamon filling sure brought a smile on everyone’s face. Thin slivers of homemade cinnamon swirl bread and piping hot coffee – What better accompaniment to the animated conversation, giggles and laughs that followed. Well, we girls sure had fun!

I have a few slices left over and intend to serve them as French toast for breakfast next morning. Check out this simple recipe for homemade cinnamon swirl bread. It makes good use of a natural spice like cinnamon which is bursting with healing properties – to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and antioxidant properties.

Step 1: Assemble the Following Ingredients

Flour 3 cups

Milk ½ cup

Warm water ¾ cup

Baker's Yeast 1 tbsp

Butter 3 tbsp

Sugar 3 tbsp

Cinnamon powder 1 tbsp

Salt ½ tsp

Step 2: Method

Mix yeast and little sugar and warm water and keep aside.

Heat milk with 2 tbsp butter and keep aside.

Mix 1 tbsp sugar and salt and 1 tsp cinnamon powder to the warm milk.

Add the milk mixture and yeast mixture to the flour and slowly knead to a dough. Keep the dough in a greased bowl for an hour. Cover with cling film.

After an hour, knock back and knead the dough. Sprinkle a bit of flour on the counter top and you can roll the dough without it sticking. Roll the dough out real thin and you will get more cinnamon sugar to bite into in each swirl slice.

Roll the dough into a log. Spread 2 tbsp butter and sprinkle a bit of sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon powder on it. Roll the dough. Cut 3 slashes on the top of the dough.

Keep it in a greased bread tin and keep aside for half an hour. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 – 45 minutes till browned on top.

Step 3: Serving Options

Place the cinnamon bread on a cooling rack. Use a sharp serrated knife to cut neat slice.

You can serve some yummy French toast with cinnamon swirl slices. Dunk each slice in a mixture of milk, egg and vanilla. Lightly toast it on a heated griddle with a bit of butter. Sprinkle powdered sugar. Serve with mixed berries or other chopped fruits.