Why Make This Recipe

There’s something magical about the aroma of cinnamon swirling through your kitchen, especially when you’re baking bread. Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread is not just any bread; it’s a warm embrace in a loaf. With every bite, it offers a delightful blend of sweetness from the raisins and the comforting warmth of cinnamon. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, a cozy snack, or even dessert. Plus, if you love the taste of cinnamon and want to try a different twist, you might enjoy making cinnamon brown sugar sourdough bread as well!

How to Make Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

Ingredients

35 grams sourdough starter (ripe, bubbly, active, about 2 Tablespoons)
35 grams water (about 2 Tablespoons)
35 grams all-purpose or bread flour (scant 1/4 cup)
100 grams levain (ripe, bubbly, active, scant 1/2 cup)
375 grams water (25 grams reserved for AFTER the fermentolyse, about 1 1/2 cups plus 1 Tablespoons for after fermentolyse)
450 grams bread flour (12.5% protein content, about 3 1/4 cups)
50 grams whole wheat flour (about 1/3 cup)
10 grams salt (reserved for AFTER the fermentolyse, about 1.5 teaspoons)
120 grams raisins (about 1 cup, reserved for after stretch and folds)
55 grams unsalted butter, softened (about 4 Tablespoons)
60 grams brown sugar (about 1/4 cup)
6 grams ground cinnamon (about 2 teaspoons)
3 grams all-purpose or bread flour (about 1 teaspoon)
Pinch of salt

Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

Directions

Day 1: Start by preparing the levain. Mix your sourdough starter with water and flour, and let it sit until it becomes bubbly and active. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, excluding the reserved water, salt, and raisins, to form your dough. Allow the dough to bulk ferment for several hours at 78ºF. Once it has risen nicely, shape the dough and place it in the fridge for cold bulk fermentation.

Day 2: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven. Take the dough out of the fridge and let it reach room temperature. At this point, add the reserved salt and raisins. Shape the dough once more and allow it to proof. When it’s beautifully puffed up, bake it in the oven until it is golden brown and completely cooked through.

How to Serve Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

Once the bread is baked and cooled, slice it thick and serve it warm. It’s delightful simply with butter, or you can enjoy it with a spread of cream cheese. If you fancy something a little different, try pairing it with some whipped cream cheese and cinnamon raisin sourdough English muffins for a lovely breakfast treat!

How to Store Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

To keep your bread fresh, store it in a cloth bag or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel. If you want to retain its freshness longer, slice it up and freeze the pieces. This way, you can pop out a delicious slice whenever you crave something sweet and warm.

Tips to Make Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

If you’re looking to enhance your bread-making skills, consider these tips. Use fresh, high-quality raisins to ensure they plump up beautifully during the baking. If you prefer, you can soak the raisins in warm water before adding them—this can elevate the moisture content of your bread. For those of you who are gluten-free or looking for an alternative, you might want to check out this gluten-free sourdough raisin bread recipe for a tasty variation!

Variation

Feel free to experiment! You can swap out raisins for dried cranberries or even chopped dried apricots for a fruity twist. Add nuts like walnuts for an extra crunch, or sprinkle some additional cinnamon on top before baking for an extra flavor boost.

FAQs

Can I use any type of sourdough starter?
Yes, you can use any active sourdough starter that you have on hand. The flavor may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious!

How can I tell if my bread is finished baking?
You can tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow. Also, the top should be a golden brown color.

Can I make this bread without a sourdough starter?
While this recipe traditionally uses sourdough, you can use commercial yeast; just adjust the proportions accordingly for a more rapid rise.

Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

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Conclusion

Baking your own Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread is a rewarding experience, filling your home with a warm aroma and your belly with a delicious loaf. For another delightful recipe, check out this cinnamon raisin sourdough bread guide. Enjoy your baking journey!