Cinnamon pull apart bread is a dessert that brings people together—literally and figuratively. It’s soft, sweet, sticky, and shareable, with every bite drenched in cinnamon sugar and layered in buttery, golden dough. Pull apart bread is what happens when you combine the warmth of cinnamon rolls with the fun of tear-and-share bread. It’s a showstopper on the table and a comfort in every bite.
This recipe is ideal for holidays, weekend brunch, or cozy mornings when you want something a little extra. It’s not about being quick—it’s about the process, the aroma filling your kitchen, and the joy of pulling apart tender, sugary pieces one by one.
The dough is soft and fluffy, enriched with milk, butter, and eggs. Once risen, it gets rolled out and smothered in cinnamon sugar before being sliced, stacked, and nestled into a loaf pan. As it bakes, the layers puff up and caramelize on the edges, creating a beautiful loaf that’s as fun to eat as it is to make.
You don’t need to be a master baker to pull this off. The steps are straightforward, and even if your layers aren’t perfect, the end result is always delicious. That’s the magic of this bread—flaws make it look even more homemade.
Serve it warm and the bread practically melts in your mouth. The buttery dough, the brown sugar-cinnamon filling, the slightly crisp top—it’s everything you want in a cinnamon treat.
This bread is also versatile. You can top it with a simple glaze, a cream cheese drizzle, or just leave it as-is. Add chopped nuts for crunch or a hint of orange zest for brightness. However you tweak it, the base recipe holds strong.
It’s a project worth planning ahead for. While the dough needs time to rise, most of the work is hands-on and fun. It’s a great baking activity for a rainy day or a lazy Sunday.
Cinnamon pull apart bread is more than a recipe—it’s an experience. It’s the kind of thing you set in the center of the table and watch disappear, slice by slice. It smells incredible, looks impressive, and tastes even better.
It’s a crowd-pleaser that makes any meal feel special. Serve it with coffee, tea, or just a glass of milk and you’re set.
And leftovers? If there are any, they toast beautifully the next day. Or you can warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds for that just-baked taste.
This bread isn’t trying to be trendy or flashy. It’s just really good. The kind of recipe you make once and keep forever.
Make it for brunch. Make it for dessert. Make it for no reason at all.
If you love cinnamon, buttery dough, and getting your hands a little sticky, this bread is calling your name.
So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s bake something worth sharing.
Servings: 1 loaf (about 8 servings)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 40 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra as needed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions:
- Warm milk, water, and butter until just melted. Let cool to lukewarm.
- In a large bowl, mix 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add milk mixture and stir. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add remaining flour until dough forms. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for filling. Set aside.
- Roll dough into a large rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly.
- Cut dough into strips, stack them, then cut into squares. Stack pieces in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise again (30 minutes).
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, until golden.
- Let cool slightly, then drizzle with optional glaze before serving.
Tips:
- If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during baking.
- Use a stand mixer with a dough hook to make kneading easier.
- Let the bread cool slightly before removing from the pan to keep layers intact.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Warm, gooey, and perfectly spiced
- Fun to assemble and pull apart
- Ideal for brunch, holidays, or weekend baking
- Customizable with toppings or fillings
Cinnamon pull apart bread is warm, buttery, and layered with cinnamon sugar. It’s easy to make, fun to eat, and guaranteed to be a hit at breakfast or dessert. Share it with friends or keep it all to yourself—we won’t judge.
Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour plus extra as needed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Optional Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 –2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Warm milk, water, and butter until just melted. Let cool to lukewarm.
- In a large bowl, mix 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add milk mixture and stir. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add remaining flour until dough forms. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for filling. Set aside.
- Roll dough into a large rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly.
- Cut dough into strips, stack them, then cut into squares. Stack pieces in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise again (30 minutes).
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, until golden.
- Let cool slightly, then drizzle with optional glaze before serving.
Notes
- If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during baking.
- Use a stand mixer with a dough hook to make kneading easier.
- Let the bread cool slightly before removing from the pan to keep layers intact.