Can you smell it? The fresh plastic scent of your brand new Trapper Keeper…
Can you feel it? The hot vinyl of the school bus seat sticking to the back of your thighs…
Can you hear it? The shrill shriek of the day’s first class bell…
That’s right, it’s time to go back to school. And to celebrate, this entire week on SB will be dedicated to just that – going back to school in delicious style.
Whoa. That’s me in the middle. Somewhere in Massachusetts sometime in the 1980s. Now might be a good time to review our First Day Checklist.
1. Get your hairs did. CHECK. My baby sister, B., is on the far left. B. enjoys eating Wheat Thins, running marathons, and, clearly, she too appreciates the value of utilitarian hairstyles. Points for practicality.
2. Proper equipment is vital. CHECK. That’s my Peanuts lunchbox, which preceded my ThunderCats lunchbox, which preceded my New Kids On The Block lunchbox. It seems that I was able to keep up with the trends far better than my friend there rocking the Members Only Jr. jacket and NASA lunchbox. Trend adherence is critical when it comes to proper equipment selection. Obvi.
3. Eat a good breakfast. CHECK. CHECK. Cinnamon Bread shows love. Cinnamon Bread gives comfort. Cinnamon Bread calms First Day jitters. It’s a natural. Let’s get it done.
I just love quick bread recipes like this: flavorful, simple and so incredibly satisfying.
Some people may be allergic to cinnamon, or maybe just not care for its heat. No biggie. This recipe is so versatile that you can swap the cinnamon out for the spice of your choice.
Maybe ginger? Maybe some cardamom? You’re the Spice Boss. Go for it.
Toasted nuts are an important part of this goodness – the crunch is such a lovely textural contrast to the soft bread.
And, hey, here’s another opportunity for you to flex your creative muscles. If pecans aren’t your thing, throw in some walnuts. Get it done with cashews. Keep it real with peanuts.
Just pick a nut and make sure you toast it.
This recipe makes two large loaves. Perfect. Serve one up to your Nervous First Day Students and send one off to your lovely First Day Teacher.
Score. Points. Early.
No one loses when Cinnamon Bread is shared.
Things are looking good.
Maybe this is coming out of the oven just as Nervous First Day Student is packing his backpack.
Maybe these are cooling while Nervous First Day Student is lacing up her new kicks.
Let’s finish this bread off so people can get on their way and not be nervous anymore.
Just a bit of rich, creamy glaze. No harm, no foul. Keeping things sweet and lovely.
You can lick the whisk when you’re done. I know you’re nervous too.
Don’t worry, everything’s going to be OK.
There you go. Slice, serve and soothe.
You’ve got some love on your plate there, and there should be smiles on some faces.
Just a few nerves calmed. Just a few bellies filled up and ready for the day ahead.
First Days are so sweet. First Days with fresh Cinnamon Bread are the sweetest.
Glazed Cinnamon Bread
For the bread:
1 1/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 c. dark brown sugar, tightly packed
4 large eggs
3 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 c. Greek yogurt
2 tbsp. cinnamon, ground
1 tsp. ancho chile, ground
1/2 tsp nutmeg, ground
1 1/2 c. pecans, whole
For the glaze:
2 1/2 c. confectioners’ sugar
3/4 c. heavy cream
Preheat oven to 350°.
Grease 2- 9″ x 5″ loaf pans and set aside.
Place the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for approximately 8 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
In a medium bowl, sift the flour, salt, cinnamon, ancho, nutmeg and baking soda together. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and continue beating. Slowly add the sifted dry ingredients, beating until just incorporated. Beat in the Greek yogurt. Roughly chop the pecans and fold them into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and lightly smooth the top of each unbaked loaf. Bake for 52-55 minutes. The finished loafs will be a deep golden brown on the top and a cake tester inserted in the center should retain only a few crumbs when removed (a few crumbs are OK – the loaves continue to bake in their pans once you remove them – you don’t want to over bake this bread). Remove the baked loaves and allow them to cool before unmolding.
Meanwhile, whisk the confectioners’ sugar and heavy cream together in a medium bowl. Continue whisking until the glaze is smooth with no lumps remaining.
Pour the glaze over the unmolded loaves. Slice and serve or store the finished loaves in an airtight container for up to a week.
YIELD: 2- 9″ x 5″ loaves
The recipe sounds great. Will I be able to use light whipping cream instead?
Light whipping cream should work out just fine. The glaze might turn out just a little lighter, but it should still set and be delicious!
delicious looking cinnamon bread wonderful icing over the bread
I am always up for a cinnamon treat. The bread looks wonderful!
What a cute photo! You look adorable. I’d bake cinnamon bread for that little crew anytime!
that glaze on the bread sounds like fall to me.
I love your writing style and humor, not only can you bake, you can photograph. The whole package. Love your blog.
cheers
Congratulations on making top 9 again! I can certainly see why, the cinnamon bread photos are stunning and the recipe seems like the perfect combination of flavors that remind us of our first day too. Thanks for sharing your first day photo, I said awww out loud lol It’s crazy how time flies isn’t it? Congrats again! Keep up the amazing work! =]
This looks divine – such a perfect idea for the fall weather (that I hope is coming soon!) Just bookmarked and buzzed
Yes, I can feel the Trapper Keeper! Memories! This bread looks wonderful.
never mind the whisk…. I was ready to lick the screen! YUMM!
Gorgeous bread!!! That dripping glaze is the perfect topping…and my youngest would have been thrilled to have this as his breakfast on the first day of school…but missed that date by almost a month. He’d be happy with it any day, though
amazing….can’t wait to make it. My grandmother who raised me made cinnamon cake and that smell still swirls around my brain today
Wow. This looks amazing. Can’t wait to make it!
Wow, what an awesome bread loaf. Love all you photos..
What a unique recipe! Loved that you used Greek yogurt and I am very intrigued with the addition of the Ancho chile! Thanks for sharing!
Can you leave out the chile? I love the bread it looks great but don’t have that chile on hand.
You can definitely simply omit the ancho chile with this recipe – the cinnamon is really the star of the show here.
I love nothing more than cinnamon. This recipe is perfect!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
Such a cute post & an amazing recipe. Congratulations on TOP 9!!
Give me anything cinnamon and I am in heaven – those loaves looks delicious! I love that glaze, too.
Might have to make this for my “first day” of culinary school to calm my own jitters =)
Oh my gosh, what a wonderful post! I really love your writing style
As for this bread… you won my heart! I’m definitely going to make it when the weather cools off about 26 degrees.
Love this cinnamon bread – especially with the glaze!
Please join me to bake & remember lives lost in 9/11. I am hosting a link up called *Remembrance Cakes* Would love to have you. We are baking cakes, muffins, cupcakes. Anything is great! You can also share posts you have all ready published like this one. Just add the badge to show your support.
http://su.pr/2j5eSB
That glaze sounds perfect! I love the pecans added to the bread…the whole thing sounds awesome!
mmmm amazing bread!
Your bread looks great! I love that it has greek yogurt in it
Oh you’ve done it again…this looks fabulous. I cannot wait to try it once I get home
I was always totally nervous the first day. And I was ALWAYS really vain too. I picked out outfits starting in like 2nd grade. I have a couple similar photos. I had the utilitarian hair cut as well! I have an awesome picture where I brought my SKIP IT to school with me along with my lunch box. I suppose it was necessary
I love anything cinnamon, and your Cinnamon Bread with the Glaze is a definite keeper in my book. Gorgeous pics!
Beautiful cake texture!!
This looks so amazing. I would loveeee to have this for breakfast in the morning!
The bread and frosting looks wonderful! Love the photos. Thanks for sharing.
Will you adopt me???
Only if you can handle someone in a utilitarian hairdo serving you your cinnamon bread.
Oh yum! Why didn’t my mom make anything like this for me when I was going to school? I will have to make it for my son, so I can be the cool mom!
Absolutely stunning….. (and I loved the Thunder Cats – did you hear that Cartoon Network is bringing them back?)
You. Just. Made. My. Day. Thundercats, HO!
This bread looks beautiful!!! I love that frosting too. Yum!
Oh my that frosting looks so good. I love cinnamon bread in the morning- especially warm and toasted.
It’s like I’m smelling the cinnamon in my home. Thanks for sharing this…I love pecans…!!!
Sweet Lincoln’s mullet this looks good! If I weren’t already getting ready to bake a cake to bring to work tomorrow this would be in my oven. Stat.
Holy Washington’s wig are you funny! Love it.
Great post! Looks amazing!
I am the kind of student that is always nervous to go back to school!
Thank you Meagan, now I know that I need to have this for breakfast and my day is going to be ok and Sweet of course! haha
This looks scrumptious and I’d definitely get out of bed early to eat it!
Lovely, funny post, Meagan. I’m getting flashbacks to my own first day at school. You describe it so well. I had a Peanuts flask by the way. I always wanted one of those lunch boxes.
I shall pass your advice on to my little niece who started school last week. I’ll tell her Score. Points. Early. (and get your mum to make this gorgeous bread!)
This bread would cure any first day jitters! Heck, I think it would cure any jitters of any kind, and on any day!!
I would go back to school anytime with this delicious treat!!! My boys started two weeks ago and I am always looking for some treats to add with their meals. Thanks for sharing!
I want some in my lunchbox! The glaze makes it. Great idea to do back to school treats this week, I’ll be packing up some college care packages soon, so this will go on the list.
You had me at ancho chile. Love something different and this should perk it up a bit. LOVED the photo too. All of you were adorable, Members Only and all.
Looks so good! Great recipe!