Welcome Autumn with Cinnamon Streusel Bread

So they tell me the leaves are starting to change and temperatures are beginning to fall, proving signs of early Autumn are coming to many areas. However, since mid to high 80’s are still a mainstay in Florida, I have no choice but to try to replicate some of Fall’s tantalizing tastes and aromas I so crave… right here in my kitchen. Imagine the incredible flavor and intoxicating scent of freshly baked cinnamon bread wafting through your house! I invite you to try my healthier version of this classic homemade bread and am betting you will enjoy it so much that you will want to bake it often. Lightly toasting further enhances the flavor and texture of this delicious breakfast or anytime snacking treat.

Cinnamon Streusel Bread

Makes 1 loaf (about 12 slices)

Ingredients

Butter for greasing pan (or olive oil spray)

Streusel
1/3 cup coconut palm sugar (for more info, including alternatives see MPM Mini-Bites)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Dry Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup coconut palm sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat bottom and sides of 9 x 5 x2-inch loaf pan with olive oil spray.

Streusel: in a small bowl, combine all ingredients with a fork.

Dry Ingredients: gently spoon flour into measuring cup; leveling with a butter knife. In a medium bowl, add flour and remaining dry ingredients, sifting mixture twice.

In bowl of electric mixer (can also use a hand mixer), beat butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add coconut palm sugar, continuing to beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. On medium speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

On low speed, beat in flour mixture, alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture just until incorporated. Allow batter to sit for 30 minutes.

Pour 1/2 of the batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle streusel over batter, reserving 2 tablespoons for topping. Add remaining batter, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with reserved streusel.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. (Bread may crack a bit in the center-okay.) Remove bread from oven. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. With a sharp knife, carefully loosen bread around edges; remove from pan. Let bread finish cooling on rack.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: store bread tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bread slices may also be wrapped individually and frozen for up to 3 months for a readily available, portion-controlled treat.

MPM Mini-Bites:

If you prefer not to use coconut palm sugar, you can use an equal amount of cane sugar or experiment with alternative healthy sweeteners such as honey. See my website recipe for more information about baking with coconut palm sugar and whole wheat pastry flour.

Print Recipe

Cinnamon Streusel Bread

Imagine the amazing taste and incredible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon bread wafting through your house! I invite you to try my healthier version of this classic bread and am betting you will enjoy it so much that you will want to make it often. Lightly toasting further enhances the flavor and texture of this delicious breakfast or anytime snacking treat.

Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)

Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

• Butter for greasing pan or olive oil spray

Streusel

• 1/3 cup coconut palm sugar for more info, including alternatives see MPM Mini-Bites
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter melted

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter softened
• 3/4 cup coconut palm sugar
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat bottom and sides of 9 x 5 x2-inch loaf pan with olive oil spray.
• Streusel: in a small bowl, combine all ingredients with a fork.
• Dry Ingredients: gently spoon flour into measuring cup; leveling with a butter knife. In a medium bowl, add flour and remaining dry ingredients, sifting mixture twice.
• In bowl of electric mixer (can also use a hand mixer), beat butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add coconut palm sugar, continuing to beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. On medium speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
• On low speed, beat in flour mixture, alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture just until incorporated. Allow batter to sit for 30 minutes.
• Pour 1/2 of the batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle streusel over batter, reserving 2 tablespoons for topping. Add remaining batter, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with reserved streusel.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. (Bread may crack a bit in the center-okay.) Remove bread from oven. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. With a sharp knife, carefully loosen bread around edges; remove from pan. Let bread finish cooling on rack.

Notes

Storage Tips: store bread tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bread slices may also be wrapped individually and frozen for up to 3 months for a readily available, portion-controlled treat.

Coconut Palm Sugar: I have been searching for a healthier sweetening alternative for use in desserts and have been experimenting with coconut palm sugar. Brands to look for are Coconut Secret and Wholesome Sweeteners.

Reportedly lower glycemic and possibly suitable for some diabetics, coconut palm sugar has a similar look, taste and texture of brown sugar, albeit to some, less sweet. Coconut palm sugar can replace cane sugar in equal amounts in recipes. Do your own research about this unprocessed sweetener to decide if it’s an acceptable choice for you. Naturally, if you have a medical concern, check first with your health care practitioner.

If you prefer not to use coconut palm sugar, you can use an equal amount of cane sugar or experiment with alternative healthy sweeteners such as honey.

Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: although it takes a bit of extra effort, sifting whole wheat pastry flour is important as it helps create a light texture for your baked goods. Letting the batter sit for 30 minutes before baking, allows the fiber in this flour to absorb the liquid. This will help produce a more tender bread that rises nicely.

I have used both Bob’s Red Mill or Arrowhead Mills Whole Wheat Pastry Flour extensively for baking cookies, bars, muffins and quick breads. This flour can be substituted on a cup per cup basis for all-purpose white flour and is a great way to add nutty whole-grain flavor and fiber as well as a pleasing texture and “crumb” to many of your baked goods. While not gluten-free, whole wheat pastry flour is lower in protein and gluten and therefore easier to work with than many gluten-free flours. However, for those with gluten sensitivity, this flour may not be an appropriate choice. For gluten-free muffins, substitute an equal amount of gluten-free baking flour mix such as Bob’s Red Mill plus 1/2 + 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum in place of the whole wheat pastry flour. (But do make sure the rest of your dry ingredients are gluten-free as well.)

Hungry for More?

I invite you to visit my Recipe Collections where lots of goodies such as Pack ‘n Go Lunch Favorites, Back to School Food Fun, Dinners in a Flash, Freezer-Friendly Meals, Favorite Crockpot Dishes, and MORE are awaiting your discovery!

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Ceeya Next Time!

Linda Shapiro, Meal Planning Maven