Name: The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 18 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 100 grams active sourdough starter (½ cup); 350 grams warm water (1 ¼ cups); 500 grams bread flour (5 cups); 145 grams raisins (1 cup); 25 grams cane sugar or brown sugar (2 tablespoons); 10 grams salt (1 ½ teaspoons); Additional flour for dusting as needed; 8 grams ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon); 25 grams cane sugar (2 tablespoons)

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 64 reviews

If you’re searching for that perfect blend of sweet and tangy, your quest ends here with The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe. This bread is a delightful hug in edible form, combining the natural sourdough tang with warm cinnamon, plump raisins, and just the right touch of sweetness. It’s not only irresistibly flavorful but also carries a rustic charm that makes it a standout for breakfast, snack time, or even a comforting dessert. Once you make this bread, it will quickly become a treasured favorite, cherished at your table all year round.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several small white bowls with blue floral patterns arranged on a white marbled textured surface. One medium bowl in the center is filled with dark brown raisins that have a wrinkled texture. Surrounding it are five smaller bowls: one with white flour, one with light beige granulated sugar, one with pink Himalayan salt, one with a light brown, fine powder, and another with a white liquid that looks like milk or cream. Additionally, there is one clear glass bowl with water visible on the bottom left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

With simple, wholesome ingredients, this recipe shines by allowing every component to play its part in creating wonderful taste and texture. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to contribute to the perfect balance of softness, sweetness, and that delightful sourdough chew.

Active sourdough starter (100 grams / ½ cup): This is the heart of your bread, providing the natural rise and signature tang.
Warm water (350 grams / 1 ¼ cups): Hydrates the flour and activates the yeast in your starter for that perfect crumb.
Bread flour (500 grams / 5 cups): Creates a strong gluten structure that gives the bread its desirable chewiness.
Raisins (145 grams / 1 cup): Sweet and juicy pockets that add bursts of fruity flavor throughout.
Cane sugar or brown sugar (25 grams / 2 tablespoons): Adds gentle sweetness and helps with crust color.
Salt (10 grams / 1 ½ teaspoons): Balances the sweetness and strengthens the dough’s gluten network.
Additional flour for dusting: Keeps your work surface manageable and prevents sticking during shaping.
Ground cinnamon (8 grams / 1 tablespoon): Brings that warm, comforting spice that defines the bread’s character.
Sugar for filling (25 grams / 2 tablespoons): Mixes with cinnamon to create that magical swirl of sweetness inside.

How to Make The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe

Step 1: Mixing the Dough

Begin by combining your wet ingredients — the active starter and warm water — in a large bowl until completely smooth. Then sprinkle in the sugar and stir until it dissolves, ensuring every bite will have just the right hint of sweetness. Add the bread flour, salt, and juicy raisins last to form a shaggy dough. Cover it with a wet tea towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes, allowing the flour to absorb moisture fully and making it easier to work with in the next step.

Step 2: Stretch and Fold

After 30 minutes, it’s time to develop gluten without kneading. With damp hands, grab one edge of the dough, stretch it out gently, and fold it over itself. Repeat on the opposite end and on the sides until you’ve folded all four edges over. Perform this stretch and fold process three times at 30-minute intervals to build a strong, elastic dough that will rise beautifully.

Step 3: First Rise

Once the final stretch and fold is complete, cover the dough loosely and leave it to rise overnight for at least 12 hours at room temperature. This long fermentation allows the sourdough starter to work its magic, creating that signature tang and depth of flavor that define The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe.

Step 4: Preparing the Filling and Shaping

The next day, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the filling. Turn your bubbly dough out onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a rectangle. Spread half the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the dough like a letter, adding more cinnamon sugar between layers to ensure every bite is packed with flavor. Finally, fold the dough in half lengthwise and shape it into a smooth ball or oval, ready to fit snugly into your banneton or proofing basket. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours for a cool final rise, which helps develop flavor and makes scoring your loaf a breeze.

Step 5: Baking to Perfection

No need to preheat the oven with this recipe. When ready, transfer the dough from the banneton to parchment paper, score the top to allow steam to escape and to give your bread that artisan look, then place it into a Dutch oven. Slide everything into the oven, turn the temperature to 425°F, and bake for 55 minutes. Remove the lid partway through to let the crust bake to a golden, crackly perfection. Cool for at least an hour before slicing to ensure the crumb sets perfectly — then dig in!

How to Serve The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe

The image shows a round loaf of bread with a deeply browned, textured crust that curls and swirls across the top. The bread has three visible layers of dough that vary in shades of golden to dark brown, with a rough, crispy surface. Scattered through the loaf are dark raisins embedded in the dough, adding contrast to the warm colors. The bread rests on a wooden board placed over a white marbled surface, with a few loose raisins nearby and a light striped cloth in the corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For a simple yet indulgent treat, spread a thick layer of softened homemade butter across a warm slice. A drizzle of honey or a dusting of powdered sugar elevates it into something special without masking the delicate cinnamon and raisin flavors. Toasting the slices lightly can add a lovely crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs exceptionally well with a creamy yogurt or a tangy cream cheese spread, adding a fresh element to balance the sweet and spicy notes. For a more substantial snack or breakfast, serve alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a warm cup of chai tea to complement the cinnamon essence in the bread.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this bread into a showstopper by using it for French toast, soaking thick slices in cinnamon-vanilla custard before pan-frying. You can also transform it into a decadent bread pudding or even sandwiches with nut butters and sliced apples for a delightful twist. The possibilities with The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe are endless and always delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. It will stay soft and flavorful for up to three days at room temperature, making it perfect for enjoying fresh slices over several days without waste.

Freezing

If you’d like to keep your bread longer, slice it and place the slices in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen slices retain their quality for up to three months, and you can toast them directly from the freezer whenever a craving strikes.

Reheating

To bring back the fresh-baked warmth, pop slices in a toaster at medium heat or warm the whole loaf wrapped in foil in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust crispy and the crumb fluffy.

FAQs

Can I use dry yeast instead of sourdough starter?

This recipe is designed to highlight the unique tang and flavor of sourdough. While you can substitute dry yeast, you’ll miss out on that authentic depth and texture that make this bread special.

How do I know when my sourdough starter is active?

An active starter will double in size within 4 to 6 hours of feeding and will have plenty of bubbles on the surface and throughout. It should also have a pleasant sour smell, not unpleasant or moldy.

Can I add nuts to this bread?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans pair beautifully with cinnamon and raisins, adding an extra layer of crunch and flavor. Just be sure not to add too many or it may affect the dough’s ability to rise properly.

Do I need a banneton for proofing?

While a banneton helps shape the dough and promotes an even rise, you can proof the dough on a floured kitchen towel if you don’t have one. Just make sure it’s well floured to prevent sticking.

Why does the bread need to cool before slicing?

Letting the bread cool ensures the crumb structure finishes setting, avoiding a gummy or doughy texture inside. It’s hard to wait, but absolutely worth it for perfect slices!

Final Thoughts

This recipe truly brings together the best of both worlds: the bold flavor of sourdough and the cozy sweetness of cinnamon and raisins. I can’t recommend giving The Best Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Sourdough Bread Recipe a try enough—each step feeds your soul as much as your belly. So gather your ingredients, embrace the process, and prepare to savor a loaf that feels like a warm, flavorful embrace you’ll want to share with everyone you love.