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I must confess, I am the only American who did not embrace a sourdough starter during this pandemic. Don’t get me wrong, I can and do make my own kombucha, I am all about sourcing local ingredients and making things from scratch. (I learned this from my ex, before I met the father of my children, I had never made a cake that didn’t come from a box.) However, in the midst of all that has been going on in the world, I just couldn’t wrap my head around the nurturing of a starter. So, we were a non-homemade bread household…sigh. (Let’s be honest if that was the worst thing in the last nine months? there needs to be a paradigm shift).

In one of my favorite podcasts, the last question the host asks each guest is, “What is saving your life right now.” The response can be anything from something serious to something silly. My response, would be bread. Yes the scale reflects this but darn it, bread has made me happy. I have been buying artisanal bread at my grocery store. Hello toast. Hello grilled cheese. Hello pretty sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Bread has been a beautiful part of every day. I am not sorry.

This bread, however, I did make all by myself. It did not require a starter, it made two perfect loaves (I realize I do not have proper bread pans with the exception of those disposable ones), and it was pretty simple. My kitchenmaid is showing signs of wear, so I switched over from the dough hook to hand kneading and that was therapeutic as well.

It is winter in New England, and even though we haven’t had too much snow yet, the cold has arrived for sure. So for me the idea of setting my oven to a warm temperature, making sure there is an environment where my baby bread can double in size, and slicing into a freshly baked loaf all have an allure. I am not really a fan of cinnamon raisin bread, but straight up cinnamon bread is beautiful.

Because of the timing, I also used the remainder of the bread to make my Christmas morning casserole (overnight French toast with blueberries and cream cheese). I think it was extra special this year, using my own cinnamon bread. And hey, if we didn’t need Christmas morning to be a little more special this year (for those of use who celebrate), when would we? I also believe in the sharing of baked goods, which has made this school year so weird. No Friday morning breakfasts, no cookies to bring to the lunchroom, no cinnamon rolls for PD days. I am like a wandering baker. This recipe makes two beautiful loaves, so get to baking and gift someone the other loaf. It will be good for both the receiver and the giver. I promise.

In these crazy times when we are doing our best to make the world safe and do good things, why not make cinnamon bread? You’d be surprised how comforting it is for the soul. Then, if you are like me, go take a big long walk so your clothes still fit. (Insert praying hands emoji here).

As always, I hope you enjoy this recipe, which I straight up took from Taste of Home (credit is given in the recipe link) and thank you for coming to the table.

love,

Chrissy

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