Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread could be called Cinnamon VERY Quick Bread! A simple, from scratch quick bread topped with a cinnamon streusel swirl.

I love this bread. It could be called Cinnamon VERY QUICK Bread because it is so easy to make.
I love the cinnamon swirl and the buttermilk keeps it moist.
Basically, I love everything about it. Except for the fact that my mom, who passed this recipe on to me, only makes it once a year for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I have taken over the recipe and I make it year-round.
I made myself a loaf earlier this week (so I could take some updated pictures) and have eaten nearly the entire thing. By myself. Apparently the baby likes it just as much as I do.
Serve this bread at breakfast with Ham & Potato Breakfast Casserole or after a dinner of Meatloaf with Brown Gravy as a dessert!
Want more cinnamon themed recipes? Try my cinnamon roll cheesecake or toffee doodles!
What is an example of quick bread?
A quick bread is a bread that uses leavening agents (baking soda, baking powder, etc.) instead of yeast to make the bread rise. Like this cinnamon quick bread, oatmeal quick bread, or zucchini bread.
Ingredients you’ll need
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Flour – all purpose flour
- Sugar – regular, granulated sugar
- Baking Powder – used to make the bread rise (in place of yeast)
- Cinnamon – since cinnamon is the star of the show in this bread, pick a good quality cinnamon like ceylon cinnamon that isn’t full of fillers.
- Salt – to balance the sweet
- Buttermilk – see notes below for a buttermilk substitute if you don’t have any on hand.
- Vegetable Oil – or canola will work
- Vanilla Extract – please use a real vanilla extract. I know it’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it. I grab it at Sam’s or Costco because it’s cheaper to buy in bulk.
- Eggs
How to make Cinnamon Quick Bread
Throwing this bread together is SO easy.
First, to a large mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs. Beat with a hand mixer for 3 minutes, until fully combined.

Next, in a small bowl, make the streusel by adding sugar, cinnamon, and room temperature butter and roughly combining it with a fork.
Then, pour the bread batter into a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and then sprinkle the streusel mixture over the top. Gently swirl with a knife.

Finally, bake for 45-55 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How do you know when quick bread is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the quick bread to see if it’s done. If the toothpick comes back clean or with a moist crumb on it, it’s done. It should also have a cracked top and slightly pull away from the sides of the pan.
Why did my quick bread fall in the middle?
Sometimes your bread will fall in the center which can be disappointing. There are a few reasons why this might have happened – it might not have been fully done baking, you didn’t use enough leavening agents, or you let the batter sit too long before baking it.

Buttermilk Substitute
If you really want to make cinnamon bread but realized you don’t have buttermilk, I have a hack for you!
Add one tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, and add enough milk until it measures 1 cup. Stir, and let sit for five minutes before using.
Need more quick bread recipes? Try these:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread
- Blueberry Ice Cream Bread
- Coconut Banana Bread
- Raspberry Dark Chocolate Banana Bread
- Chocolate Marble Zucchini Bread
- Neapolitan Ice Cream Bread
Equipment you’ll need
- Mixing Bowls – I always talk about how I love these with the grippy bottoms, but I really do.
- Hand Mixer – As much as I love my stand mixer, I end up using my hand mixer more.
- Silicone Spatulas – I have far too many of these, but I use them for EVERYTHING.
- Loaf Pans – I like a simple glass loaf pan. I also have some dark non-stick ones and silicone one. Any will work.

Originally published July 21, 2010
My family loves this bread! Quick, easy and delicious.
Yay, us too 🙂
I am giving myself a fun Fall challenge to bake a different bread each weekend. Picked this one today, as I didn’t have time for a yeast bread. It’s so quick and easy…and so delicious! The whole family loved it. Thanks for a great recipe!
I love that challenge! I have a good apple cinnamon one, too if you need another 😉
Delicious bread that made my house smell wonderful!
Thanks Sarah!
Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread.
Sounds yummy and will be making it this weekend when I’m home. How much of the ingredients do you need for the stressed mix.
The recipe card is right above this comment box with all the measurements & instructions 🙂
Can you use bread flour for this recipe?
I haven’t tested. Bread flour has more protein so it would likely need some adjustments.
Made this bread this morning. House smells wonderful. Great recipe and easy. This is a keeper.
Yay 🙂
This bread was so easy to make and nice not to have to use several bowls for clean up. The bread was amazing. Moist and tastey. Will make this again and share this recipe with family and friends.
Thanks, Karen!
Had no eggs. Made flax ones. Had no vanilla extract. Used maple syrup. This came out only thing is the “bread” part of it, not the streusel, was a little bland. Maybe the eggs had something to do with that? Anyway it was perfect for a quick little bread and I will definitely make it again. Thanks!!
Thanks for reporting back with your swaps, I always like to know 🙂
This sounds divine and I can’t wait to try it. However… My loaf pan is a bit smaller than the size recommended in the recipe. I also have mini loaf pans. Do you know how long I should bake it in mini loaf pans if I were to use them? Thank you.
I’d need to know the size of the pans to give you a decent answer 🙂
Delicious quick bread and easy to make! Thank you for a great recipe.
I made this and was awesome! I forgot to swirl the streusal. Plus added 1/4 tsp of cloves to batter. (My favorite spice) Its such an easy recipe and delicious. Will m and again…and again.
Thanks, Sheryl!
Why did mine turn out hollow? In oven for 50mins.
Did you read the tips above? There are a few possibilities.