A Southern Grace: like white on bread

July 22, 2010

like white on bread

Yum

White bread doesn't get too much love anymore, what with the push to consume more whole grains (not to mention the rise of gluten-intolerance). It has its place, in my opinion, and I'm certainly not ready to do away with it completely.


I grew up eating IronKids bread--do any of you remember that, or heck, still eat it? Does it even still exist? I don't know, because thanks to Eb and a few awesome bread recipes, I haven't bought a loaf of bread in the store for ages. Anyway, my point is that I liked white bread then--all fluffy and soft and ideal for transporting various meats and cheeses to the mouth--and I like it now.


My favorite way to make white bread is (surprise, surprise) with a cinnamon swirl. Not only is it tasty, but it looks so attractive and welcoming. It's easy to accomplish, too--it only adds about 10 minutes to your work time.

Most (if not all) recipes I've seen for cinnamon swirl bread use milk and eggs, but this isn't one of those. It's simply white bread with a cinnamon-sugar-raisin filling. Odd? Perhaps, but darn tasty. When it comes to the eating, french toast is always a good option. For my time and energy, I'm content with simply toasting it and slathering on some apple jelly.


Don't hate on the white bread, folks. It's not good-for-nothing.

**Congrats to Angela--Snubbr picked hers as the winning comment in my cookbook giveaway!

Plain White Bread, Made Not-So-Plainly

6 cups flour, more or less, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 cups very warm water, about 120°
2 tablespoons butter, softened
raisins and cinnamon-sugar to taste

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Beating at low speed, add the water and butter. Continue beating at high speed for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour and beat 4 minutes longer. Stir in 3 cups flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour as necessary.
Place the dough in a large greased bowl, turning to anoint the top. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for about 1 hour in a warm place, free of drafts. Punch dough down; knead until smooth. Cut dough in half, cover with the mixing bowl, and let stand for 15 minutes longer. Roll each half into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle the dough generously with raisins and cinnamon-sugar and press in gently. Then, starting with the narrow edge, roll up, turning ends under to make loaves to fit pans. Place rolls seam side down in greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Cover pans with clean towel and let rise in warm place until double, about 45 minutes. Bake loaves at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped with fingers. Remove from pans to racks; brush with butter for a soft, more flavorful crust, if desired.

64 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

I love all breads! This one looks sooo gorgeous!

Cheers,

Rosa

J e l e n a said...

beautiful idea for getting those swirls..could be used on any bread...

Carol said...

I grew up eating white bread too-and agree 100% with you about whole grain bread. I love its heartiness, but every now and then...only soft, fluffy white bread will do.
That swirl of cinnamon and golden raisins-not to mention the heavenly aroma of this bread while it's baking-are calling to me......loudly. I need to make this.....soon......

pam said...

I adore white bread, especially cinnamon swirl!

I really don't like whole grain breads, I only eat them because they're supposedly better for me.

Lindsey @ pickyeatings said...

My favorite sandwich bread used to be potato bread, as my mom was trying to get me to branch out from white bread.

I also LOVE cinnamon swirl bread, minus the raisins.

Barbara said...

I confess: I rarely make bread and when I buy bread, it's not plain white. It's whole wheat, sour dough, or grain.

We used to line up waiting for hot cinnamon bread when I was in boarding school. I share your love for cinnamon, Grace. I would have put butter, then more cinnamon and sugar on that piece. Oh my. I should NOT be reading this before breakfast!

Joanne said...

I think there's a time and place for all things...even white bread. And when it has a cinnamon swirl running through it...that time might be every second of every day. And that place might be my belly.

Amanda said...

That appears to be the PERFECT amount of cinnamon... its all wonderful! I, being raised on WonderBread (not fresh) have a certain appreciation for white bread. But as I bake more and more, and finding that my palate would prefer more variety! ;)

Be blessed-
Amanda

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

I am suspicious of those that claim to dislike white bread! I was fed up with all the additives in supermarket breads and so I gave up buying them. Needless to say, I've enjoyed baking bread, but I 've been missing cinnamon toast!

Can't wait to try this recipe. And thanks for the kind words on my blog. I came across yours on foodblogs.com and loved it!

Angie said...

Nothing in the world is better than freshly baked white bread, not even chocolate. I would eat a whole loaf by myself, and with cinnamon, this is perfect, yummy.

Cocina Savant said...

I had to read this at breakfast time without the time to make a loaf. What sadness. Darn cool recipe and something I will try on a morning with more time to enjoy the simple pleasures of not so white bread.

José Manuel said...

Pues te ha quedado de libro, se ve explendido. Saludos

TKW said...

I don't bake, but I'd love a slice of that for breakfast! Looks divine.

shaz said...

Wow, I'm so impressed that you make bread so often you don't need to buy any. I must confess I actually liek white bread but buy wholemeal instead because it's "healthier".

Cinnamon swirl looks awesome, do you think chocolate would work? :) Now THAT I'd make often :)

FOODESSA said...

Grace...bread in all forms are my weakness.
As I got a little younger LOL...my stomach has nudged at me to make heathier choices which have led me to scrumptious artisnal bread. So far, I'm still not a fan of the GF breads I've tested from the store.
However, don't get me wrong...I love white bread especially with yummy raisin and of course cinnamon ;o) I especially use it to make french toast with them.
I've bookmarked your recipe so that I can one day challenge myself to different bread making adventures ;o)

Have a glorious day and flavourful wishes,
Claudia

kat said...

That looks like the perfect bread for French toast!

Lyndas recipe box said...

Heavenly, thats what this bread is Grace. While I usually buy whole wheat bread, there's nothing quite like a fresh loaf of homemade white bread fresh from the oven! Especially if said bread is full of cinnamon and raisens.
This bread makes the cherrios I'm eating right now look rather pathetic.

**** April **** said...

Can I ask (since I'm a bread making virgin) how in the world you can get even slices for sandwiches (and the like) with homemade bread. I did just purchase a breadmaker and a book (huge thick book) with looooots of recipes. I think it's the Bread Lovers Book of reicpes or something like that. My only concern is sandwich bread and buns. A) how do you slice sandwich bread and B) what do you do with extra buns when you make a batch? :) I'd love some expert advice...

Katie said...

This looks great. I love a good raisin bread, and I think white bread is part of our childhood.

lisa is cooking said...

I love cinnamon swirl bread, and I don't know why I've never made it. If this only takes 10 minutes, I have no excuse not to try it! Looks fantastic.

pigpigscorner said...

I grew up eating white bread too! I eat brown now simply because it's healthier =P

Hungry Dog said...

Wow, this looks store-bought (in a good way!) Very impressive, grace. I like white bread although growing up, we always had wheat,

Pam said...

Beautiful! Slathered with apple jelly? Wow. My boring breakfast just isn't doing it for me anymore.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

That does look darn tasty, Grace. Love the close-up shots.

LaChelle @ SugarDuchess said...

Yum! This is totally nostalgic :) I love me some homemade white bread, all soft and fluffy. And with a cinnamon swirl? Good heavens. That's good stuff.

Lisa said...

That looks perfectly delicious!

I like white bread too. It may not be the perfect food but you could do worse. Fresh and hot from the oven it is a real treat, especially with a gorgeous cinnamon swirl. YUM!

laura said...

I agree, all breads have their place, and there are certainly times for white!!! Like cinnamon swirl bread. ( : I've tried the King Arthur Recipe and it is very tasty.

tasteofbeirut said...

Even though I did not grow up on this bread, I have eaten it repeatedly when I discovered it a few years into my life in the US; I even made cinnamon-swirl bread once; love that you are not afraid to proclaim your love for it and make this wonderful bread! It is light and sweet and delicious.

oneordinaryday said...

You're right, your bread is pretty, but I've gotten to the point where I feel almost guilty when I eat white bread. Crazy!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've been craving bread so badly lately!

Mel said...

Wow, you had me at the first picture. I can't believe you made that fine specimen of bread - it looks positively professional...and absolutely delicious. White bread is like dessert to me...it definitely has it's place and I love it!

Jennifer said...

Ohhh yummy, I am such a white bread girl, for everything except toast that I need a hearty wheat bread!

Marjie said...

Cinnamon swirl bread makes a wonderful peanut butter sandwich; just ask my late cat, Henry, who loved them as much as I do. I may have to make a loaf soon!

Gloria Baker said...

Grace What really lovely and georgeous bread! gloria

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I am not a white bread hater by any means. Some bread just has to use white flour!!

Lisa | Authentic Suburban Gourmet said...

Boy would that be great as french toast! I actually like all type of bread - it is my vice. :-)

Lucie said...

I would pick your bread apart and eat it piece by piece, savoring every little golden raisin... MMM! Doesnt help that I'm just finishing up breakfast...Great recipe!

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said...

I'm with you Grace! I still like it when it's combined with something or it's Turkish bread! :D

Anonymous said...

Grace, this looks absolutely beautiful! i do hope to make bread like that one day! (:

Von said...

I still love white bread =] We've always eaten white bread- it wasn't until last year that I tried wholemeal and all the other types you can get.....
The cinnamon swirls look so pretty! I'm definitely trying this one day! I love cinnamon and raisins- especially in bread!

Cara said...

Bread totally intimidates me - both making it and eating it, I confess! This looks so nice and simple though. I'll have to find some french-toast-lovin' friends to make it for!

~~louise~~ said...

IronKids bread is new to me. I've never heard of it before. Curious though.

I'd LOVE to bake this bread. I'd love to bake any kind of bread actually but the thought of swirls of cinnamon calling my name makes me want to fire up the oven immediately. Of course I won't, too hot and I am so "challenged" when it comes to all things yeast.

Thanks for sharing Grace, it looks heavenly...

La cocina de Serrats said...

Hi Grace! It looks delicious! It's a great recipe! Thank you for sharing!

Big Boys Oven said...

wow locvely, lovely bread you have there! just terrific! :)

Elle said...

I love love love cinnamon bread--the more cinnamony swirl, the better. Like a gooey cinnamon roll, but in the form of a loaf of bread. Like so much cinnamon, you have to ask "Do you want some bread with that cinnamon?"

The photo with the apple jelly just made my stomach rumble!

eatme_delicious said...

Though I do try to eat mostly whole grains, I love a good white bread!! This one looks perfect and your swirl is so tight! Mine always seems to open up and cause big holes in the bread. :(

Hornsfan said...

You have fantastic timing, I was thinking about cinnamon swirl bread just the other day and contemplating making some! Now I've got the perfect recipe to try.

Amy @ cookbookmaniac said...

I absolutely adore raisin bread. I eat it almost every morning, toasted and buttered. That swirl is so beautiful :)

marla@familyfreshcooking.com said...

Your macro lens gets us all right in on every detail of this gorgeous swirly bread. That cinnamon says it all. I bet your house smells amazing while this bread is a bakin'. xxoo

Chef Dennis Littley said...

I love those swirls.....what a great reason to eat white bread!

Carolyn Jung said...

I hear ya on that one. I try to eat more grains, too. But sometimes, a gal just needs a slice of good ol' squishy white bread. ;)

Nic said...

That bread is the best I've seen all week, just wish I had a slice right now!

LilSis said...

I'll have to admit that I've never made my own bread, but I love a good cinnamon swirl bread! Yours looks amazingly delicious!

julie said...

There is absolutely nothing better than a slice of warm homemade bread. Add cinnamon and raisins to it and you send it over the edge! That looks amazingly delicious!

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

LOL! I agree..no hating on the white bread :)
Have a great weekend!

Penny said...

My favorite white bread is sourdough. But your cinnamon swirl would be my second favorite.

Angie's Recipes said...

It's PLAINLY fabulous! I love the texture...perfectly done.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

This would make amazing French toast. And my husband would be bouncing-off-the-walls happy if I made it for him. He'll suffer through the "healthy" bread, but he's secretly dreaming of white and fluffy.

Multiply Delicious said...

Growing up my favorite was a slice of cinnamon bread for breakfast. I could eat the whole loaf if my mom would have let me.
This bread sounds delicious, and you make it sound easy to make which means I will have to give it a try.

Roma Berry said...

I'm a bread lover, too. The lady I sit with is 101 years old, and she loves homemade bread (reminds her of her Mother). I put a teaspoon of cinnamon in the bread dough, as well. My problem is, when I roll the bread to make the nice swirl pattern. Everything looks good until we cut the bread and the bread separates and the raisins fall out. This makes a mess in the toaster, too. I've tried brushing water on the dough, milk and even an egg wash. I even tried rolling the dough tighter. So, how do you get your bread to stay together?

Mimi said...

I grew up with Wonder Bread. Toasted, spread with lots of butter and than topped with a lot more cinnamon and sugar. Yum!
Mimi

The Teacher Cooks said...

I love white bread especially with this cinnamon swirl toasted with butter.

Deborah said...

Believe it or not, I have been craving cinnamon swirl bread for days now. Now I REALLY want some!

kimberleyblue said...

Gorgeous bread! It looks perfect, and that cinnamon swirl and plump raisins have me drooling!