Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread

This sourdough cinnamon raisin bread recipe has a unique flavor and incredible texture making it an enhanced spin on your classic raisin bread. The sweetness from the cinnamon sugar and raisins is just perfect.

The texture is more like dessert bread. It is moist, soft, and fluffy with an ever-so-slight chew from the crust & raisins. The cinnamon adds a warm and comforting aroma making every bite better than the last.

This delicious sourdough recipe makes for a satisfying breakfast, snack, or dessert, or pair it with something savory. I enjoy toasting it with a bit of butter or even using it for french toast!

Tips for making Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread

• Cinnamon filling: To make the cinnamon filling stick to the dough I recommend using an egg wash to ensure the filling doesn’t leak out. You can also use water.

• Gaps in the bread: To avoid any gaps or tunnels in the bread it is important to not let it overproof during the second rise. If it gets too tall or puffy the bread will separate from the crust resulting in gaps.

• Sourdough starter: I recommend using an active, bubbly starter at 100% hydration for the best results with this dough.

• Sweet levain: If you desire a less sour taste create a levain and add 15 grams of sugar to it. To make 100 grams of levain mix together 15 grams of active sourdough starter, 45 grams of water, and 45 grams of flour.

• Mixing: This recipe is done by hand. A stand mixer can be used, just ensure not to overmix the dough.

How to make Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread

If you desire a less sour taste create a levain and add 15 grams of sugar to it. To make 100 grams of levain mix together 15 grams of active sourdough starter, 45 grams of water, and 45 grams of flour.

Baker’s schedule Option 1: Mix the dough in the evening for an overnight rise of 8-10 hours. Shape in the morning and allow to rise for an additional 2-3 hours in the pan.

Baker’s schedule Option 2: Mix the dough in the morning and allow to rise for 8-10 hours. Shape & place in the refrigerator overnight. Allow to rise in the pan for 2-4 hours the following morning & bake.

For both options: feed your sourdough starter (or make the sweet levain if using) within 12 hours of mixing the dough and ensure it is at its peak.

Ingredients

• 500 grams of bread flour
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (cubed & softened)
• 9 grams salt
• 30 grams sugar
• 100 grams active sourdough starter or sweet levain (see notes)
• 250 grams water
• 75 grams of raisins (1/2 cup)

For the filling:

• 1 beaten egg & a splash of water for the egg wash
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon flour

Equipment

• 1 9×5 inch loaf pan
• Mixing bowl
• Bench scraper
• Food scale
• Rolling pin
• Measuring spoons

Mix the dough

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl dissolve the starter and sugar in the water. Mix using a fork.

• Next add the cubed, softened butter, bread flour, and salt. Mix by hand until the flour has absorbed the water. The dough will look shaggy.

• Once the dough has been mixed, cover the mixture with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.

Knead the dough

• After the dough has rested, place it on a lightly floured working surface. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes or until the dough has become smooth and elastic. If the dough starts to tear, allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes and return back to kneading it.

• Once complete, place the dough in a bowl coated in butter, cover it, and let it rest for 1 hour.

Stretch and folds & add the raisins

• After the dough has rested, perform your first stretch and fold. Here, you will add the raisins. It is much easier to add the raisins during this step because the gluten will be more relaxed.

• Scoop your hand under a portion of the dough and stretch the dough to the opposing side while folding in the raisins a little at each fold.

• Once complete, cover the dough and allow it to rest for 1 hour.

• After 1 hour, perform 1 more stretch and fold. Cover the dough and allow it to rest for the remaining bulk rise.

Shape the dough

• Once the dough has doubled in size, coat a 9×5 loaf pan with butter.

• Remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured worked surface. Degas the dough by pressing down on it and start to flatten it a bit releasing any air bubbles.

• Using a rolling pin, roll it into a 6×20-inch rectangle. Lightly mark the dough using a knife or razor making a 1-inch border around each side.

• Let the dough rest while you combine the filling mixture. Mix together 1/3 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of flour. In a seperate bowl whisk together 1 egg & a splash of water.

• Brush the dough with the eggwash and spread the cinnamon mixture evenly inside the border.

• Roll the dough into a log shape.

• Pinch the ends closed and tighten the shape if needed.

• Place the dough into your loaf pan seam side down, cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap and allow it to rise in the warmest spot in your kitchen. This can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. It is important not to allow the bread to get too tall or puffy during this step to avoid gapping in the bread.

Bake the Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread

• The bread is ready to bake once the middle of the dough is 1 inch above the rim of the pan. If it is not, let it rest. This will result in an optimal rise.

• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bake the sourdough cinnamon raisin bread for 45-50 minutes.

• After removing the loaf from the oven, coat it with butter to soften the crust.

• Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer it to a cooling rack and let it cool for a minimum of 1 hour.

• Sourdough cinnamon raisin bread can last for 2-3 days on the counter in a bread bag of your choice or an airtight container.

More sourdough recipes

• Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls (soft & not too sweet!)
• Easy Sourdough Sandwich Bread
• Sourdough Hoagie Rolls [Sourdough Sandwich Rolls]
• Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls