Cinnamon Swirl Date Bread
This Cinnamon Swirl Date Bread is moist, warmly spiced, and naturally sweetened with tender Medjool dates. A brown sugar-cinnamon swirl runs through the loaf, giving each slice a cozy, bakery-style finish. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or a not-too-sweet dessert with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- ¾ cup warm whole milk
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
For the Date-Cinnamon Swirl:
- ¾ cup chopped Medjool dates about 6–8 dates
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp of salt
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine ¾ cup warm whole milk, 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.¾ cup warm whole milk, 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast, 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- Add melted 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, and 1 tsp salt to the yeast mixture. Mix using a dough hook on medium speed (or by hand with a wooden spoon) until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms—about 6–8 minutes. Add 1–2 more tablespoons of flour if it’s too sticky.3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, until doubled.
- While the dough rises, simmer ¾ cup chopped Medjool dates with ¼ cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes until soft and jammy. Mash lightly with a fork. Stir in ½ tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and a 1/2 tsp of salt. Let cool.¾ cup chopped Medjool dates, ¼ cup water, ½ tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp of salt
- Punch down the dough and roll it into a 9x12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the cooled date mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Starting from the short end, roll the dough up tightly into a log, pinch the seam closed, and place it seam-side down in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes, until puffy and just over the edge of the pan.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush the top with egg wash, if using. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped. If browning too fast, tent with foil for the last 10 minutes.1 egg
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.