If you’re craving a cozy, sweet treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you must try this Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of rich maple syrup sweetness and fragrant cinnamon spice, wrapped up in a tender, moist quick bread that’s easy to pull together on any busy day. The luscious cinnamon icing adds an irresistible finishing touch, making every bite a little celebration. Whether it’s breakfast, snack time, or dessert, this quick bread guarantees smiles all around and a scent that will fill your kitchen with pure comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for the Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe is a breeze because each one plays a crucial role in creating that unforgettable flavor and texture. From the richness of browned butter to the cozy cinnamon spice, each element has its moment to shine.
- Butter (8 tablespoons): Divided use for browning and chilling, it adds a nutty depth and tender crumb.
- All-purpose flour (2 & 1/4 cups): The base that holds everything together with the perfect texture.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Helps the bread rise light and fluffy.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works alongside the baking powder to create tender lift.
- Cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): Infuses the bread with classic warming spice.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Pure maple syrup (1 cup): Brings natural sweetness and moistness, keeping things beautifully tender.
- Buttermilk (1 cup): Adds tang and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
- Eggs (2 large): Provide structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Elevates the flavor to a subtle, fragrant level.
- Maple extract (1/2 teaspoon): Doubles down on maple goodness for extra depth.
- Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Mixed with butter for delightful cinnamon chunks inside the bread.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): The sweet base of the cinnamon icing.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): Creates a luscious texture in the icing.
- Vanilla or maple extract (1 teaspoon): Adds flavor punch to your icing.
- Salt (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch to balance the icing perfectly.
How to Make Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Butter
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Then, take half a stick of butter and melt it in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until it browns and smells nutty. This browned butter adds an irresistible depth of flavor. Remove it from heat promptly to avoid burning, and set aside. Meanwhile, cut the remaining butter into small cubes and chill it in the fridge – these cubes will become those magical cinnamon chunks inside the bread.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and spices, setting you up for the perfect rise and flavor throughout the loaf.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple extract. Slowly incorporate the browned butter, blending everything into a smooth, fragrant mixture that promises delicious quick bread.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry mixture, gently folding until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. This peeks behind the curtain of why this quick bread is so tender — a delicate touch in mixing.
Step 5: Create Cinnamon Butter Chunks
Retrieve the chilled butter cubes and toss them with a tablespoon of cinnamon using a knife or pastry cutter to make cinnamon butter chunks about the size of peas. Fold these into the batter carefully, ensuring cinnamon bursts of flavor surprise with every bite.
Step 6: Bake the Quick Bread
Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and pour in your batter evenly. Pop it into the oven for about 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Watch closely near the end to avoid overbaking and keep the bread moist and tender.
Step 7: Let It Cool and Prepare Icing
Allow the bread to rest for roughly 15 minutes once out of the oven. While waiting, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, your choice of vanilla or maple extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust sugar or cream to reach your ideal icing consistency – thick enough to drizzle but soft enough to spread.
Step 8: Add That Sweet Finish
Drizzle the luscious cinnamon icing over the warm bread, letting it cascade down the sides or spread it thickly on slices. This final step brings the Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe to life with a sugary cinnamon kiss everyone will savor.
How to Serve Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few finishing touches makes serving this bread even more special. Consider sprinkling a light dusting of cinnamon or pressing tiny maple candy bits on top of the icing for sparkle and added flavor complexity. Toasted pecans or walnuts also deliver a delightful crunch that complements the sweet softness beautifully.
Side Dishes
This delicious quick bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea and adds a cozy vibe to any breakfast or afternoon snack. For a more indulgent spread, serve alongside creamy mascarpone cheese or a dollop of tangy Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the bread thickly and serve on a rustic wooden board with a small bowl of extra cinnamon icing for dipping. For brunch gatherings, stack mini slices layered with a smear of softened butter and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. You can also cut into cubes for bite-size quick bread “poppers” to serve as a fun finger food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The bread stays moist and flavorful, but to prolong freshness, refrigeration is recommended after that period.
Freezing
This Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe freezes exceptionally well. Wrap the cooled loaf securely in plastic wrap and then in foil, or place slices in freezer bags with parchment paper between to avoid sticking. Freeze for up to three months and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
To enjoy the bread warm again, reheat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds until soft and fragrant. If desired, add a small pat of butter or a drizzle of leftover icing to bring back that fresh-baked magic.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar added to 1 cup of milk to mimic buttermilk’s tang and acidity, which helps tenderize the bread and enhance flavor.
What if I don’t have maple extract?
If you don’t have maple extract, you can simply omit it or use an equal amount of vanilla extract instead. The bread will still be delicious with the natural maple syrup providing plenty of maple flavor.
How do I make sure the bread doesn’t dry out?
Be careful not to overbake the bread; start checking for doneness around 40 minutes by inserting a toothpick. Also, make sure to store it properly in airtight containers after cooling to retain moisture.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that already includes xanthan gum. Keep in mind texture and rise might vary slightly, but it should still be tasty and moist.
Is there a way to make the icing less sweet?
Absolutely! You can reduce the powdered sugar by a quarter or substitute part of the heavy cream with milk to create a thinner, less sweet icing that still complements the bread beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe is truly one of those magical treats that feels like a little celebration every time you bake it. Warm, fragrant, and impossibly soft with an icing that completes every bite with sweetness and spice, it’s a real crowd-pleaser. I encourage you to grab your ingredients, take a little time to make it, and watch how it brightens your day (and your kitchen) with every slice.
Print
Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread with Cinnamon Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 8 slices
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Maple Cinnamon Quick Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack. With the warm aroma of browned butter, sweet maple syrup, and a touch of cinnamon, this quick bread combines comforting flavors with a tender crumb. Finished with a luscious maple vanilla glaze, it’s an irresistible treat to enjoy any time of day.
Ingredients
Bread Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick, divided)
- 2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
Cinnamon Butter Chunks
- 4 tablespoons butter (half stick, chilled and cut into cubes)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Maple Cinnamon Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or maple extract)
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the bread.
- Brown Butter: Place half a stick of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the butter turns a rich brown color and releases a nutty aroma. Immediately remove from heat once browned and set aside to cool.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple extract. Slowly whisk in the cooled browned butter until fully incorporated.
- Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prepare Cinnamon Butter Chunks: Retrieve the chilled cubed butter from the fridge, add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and use a knife or pastry cutter to mix until small pea-sized chunks form. Fold these chunks gently into the batter to distribute pockets of cinnamon butter throughout the bread.
- Pour Batter: Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and pour the prepared batter evenly into the pan.
- Bake Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to keep the bread moist.
- Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it sit in the pan for about 15 minutes before adding icing.
- Make Icing: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla (or maple) extract, and salt until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or more cream for fluidity.
- Apply Icing: Drizzle or spread the maple cinnamon icing over the top of the bread or on individual slices before serving for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake the bread to ensure it stays moist and tender.
- Adjust the amount of salt in the icing to taste, depending on your preference for sweetness balance.
- The cinnamon butter chunks create delightful pockets of rich cinnamon flavor throughout the bread.
- If you don’t have maple extract, vanilla extract alone works well.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before icing to prevent the glaze from melting completely into the bread.
