So you’re craving something sweet, cozy, and ridiculously easy to pull off—but you don’t want to look like you just opened a bag of cookies and called it “homemade,” right? Enter: Cinnamon Focaccia Bread. It’s basically like focaccia got dressed up for dessert—fluffy, golden, a little chewy, and sprinkled with warm, sweet cinnamon sugar that makes your whole house smell like heaven (or a bakery you’ll want to move into). Bonus: it looks fancy enough to trick people into thinking you worked harder than you actually did.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
- It’s idiot-proof. Like seriously, if you can stir flour and water together without burning your house down, you’re already halfway there.
- It makes you look like a baking wizard. People hear “focaccia” and immediately assume you’re some bread-baking guru who kneads dough by hand while humming Italian opera. (No need to tell them you mostly pressed it into a pan with your fingers while watching Netflix.)
- Cinnamon sugar. Do I really need to say more? It’s like comfort food in sparkle form.
- Perfect for… everything. Breakfast? Check. Afternoon snack? Yup. Midnight “oops I shouldn’t be eating but here we are” moment? Absolutely.
Basically, it’s the kind of recipe that’ll make you feel accomplished without requiring a PhD in baking science.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Translation: stuff you probably already have hanging out in your kitchen. If not, your corner store definitely does.)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (aka the white powder you can’t live without)
- 2 teaspoons salt (the flavor booster we take for granted)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast (don’t freak out—it’s not scary)
- 1 ½ cups warm water (think “baby’s bath,” not “boiling lava”)
- ¼ cup olive oil (fancy stuff optional, no one’s judging)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (the real deal, trust me)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (sweet tooth fuel)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon (the star of the show—don’t skimp)
Optional but awesome: a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze on top if you’re feeling extra.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the dough. In a big bowl, stir together flour, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix until it looks like sticky dough instead of a flour explosion.
- Let it rise. Cover the bowl with a towel (or, let’s be honest, cling wrap you just fought with) and leave it alone for about an hour. It should double in size. Yes, bread basically does all the work while you scroll Instagram.
- Prep the pan. Drizzle some olive oil into a baking pan and plop the dough in. Stretch it out with your fingers like you’re giving it a massage. Don’t worry if it looks rustic—that’s code for “not perfect but still delicious.”
- Make it fancy. Melt butter, then mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the dough with butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top, and press some little dimples into the dough with your fingertips. Those dimples? That’s where the magic happens.
- Bake it. Pop it into a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and your kitchen smells like a cozy fall candle.
- Cool slightly (if you can wait). Slice it up, tear it apart, or just grab a chunk and go full caveman. No judgment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the rise. Nope, you can’t “just bake it now.” Bread needs its beauty sleep.
- Overbaking. Unless you like the texture of cardboard, keep an eye on that oven. Golden = good. Charcoal = not so much.
- Forgetting the butter. Please don’t. That buttery cinnamon sugar layer is life itself.
- Not using warm water. If it’s too hot, you’ll murder the yeast. If it’s cold, the yeast will basically go, “Nah, I’m good,” and your bread won’t rise.
Alternatives & Substitutions
- Flour: Whole wheat flour works, but your bread will be denser. Kind of like that one relative who never lightens up at family gatherings.
- Sugar: Swap granulated sugar for brown sugar if you want a caramel-y vibe. Or go half-and-half for a cool combo.
- Oil: Olive oil adds flavor, but you can sub in melted butter if you’re a butter-over-everything type.
- Extras: Throw in raisins, chopped nuts, or even chocolate chips if you want to jazz it up. Cinnamon + chocolate = yes, please.
Basically, this recipe is your playground—just don’t go too wild unless you want “mystery bread” instead of cinnamon focaccia.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Technically yes, but… why would you hurt your soul like that?
Do I really need yeast?
Yep. Otherwise, you’re making cinnamon-flavored flatbread. Still tasty, but not the fluffy magic we’re going for.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Totally. Make the dough, let it rise, then stash it in the fridge overnight. Next day = bake + bask in glory.
What if I don’t have cinnamon?
Well, then you don’t have cinnamon focaccia, my friend. Try nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin spice if you’re feeling creative.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, but you’ll need gluten-free flour. Results may vary (translation: it might not be as fluffy, but still edible).
How long does it stay fresh?
About 2–3 days in an airtight container—if it lasts that long without being inhaled.
Do I have to share?
Nope. Close the curtains, slice a piece, and live your best secret-snacking life.
Related Recipes
- Quick Delicious Japanese Omurice Recipe
- Easy Bacon Cream Cheese Doritos Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Cheese Sliders Recipe
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—Cinnamon Focaccia Bread that’s sweet, simple, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like you’ve got your life together (even if you don’t). It’s part bread, part dessert, and 100% worth the minimal effort. So go ahead: make it, eat it, share it (or don’t). Just remember—next time someone calls you “extra” for baking bread, casually reply, “It’s focaccia, darling.”
Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it!
Cinnamon Focaccia Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
- Add warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil, stir into a soft dough.
- Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Grease a baking pan with olive oil, press dough evenly into it.
- Dimple the dough with fingertips.
- Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar.
- Cover and rest 20 minutes.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- Best served warm, fresh from the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days.
- Try drizzling with honey or cream cheese glaze for extra sweetness.
