Classic Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread Recipe - crave the good (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This cinnamon raisin sourdough is full of tangy sourdough, sweet raisins, and spicy cinnamon. It's the perfect mix of flavors to make your mouth water.

When I make this sourdough cinnamon raisin bread I have to hide it.

And I don't mean like tuck it in the cupboard, I mean, like... HIDE it.

I literally have to bake it when the house is empty and wrap it twice before stuffing it in the cupboard up above the microwave, because I'm the only one who knows that hiding spot exists.

I swear Kevy and the kids are like drug-sniffing dogs, but with sourdough. They walk into the house and just know I baked some of that goodness.

Then they eat it 🙁 It's just rude if you ask me. Ha!

This cinnamon raisin sourdough recipe is dedicated to keeping the good stuff for yourself!

Jump to:
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Key Ingredients
  • How To Make Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread
  • Baker's Schedule
  • Why Use A Proofing Box?
  • Using A Proofing Box For This Recipe
  • Batch + Storage
  • More Sourdough Bread Recipes To Love
  • Recommended Equipment
  • 📖 Printable Recipe

Tips + Tricks

No. 1 --> If you're overwhelmed with all things sourdough, I can help you! I have guides on everything from making a 24 hour sourdough starter, to picking the best starter jar, to feeding sourdough starter, to storing sourdough starter, to proofing in the fridge, to freezing sourdough bread, to using up discard, and more.

No. 2 -->Using the Brod + Taylor proofing box has revolutionized my sourdough baking. With the proofing box, not only do I get more consistent bakes, but I can go from feeding my starter to making my dough within 3 hours, and speed up my bulk fermentation time too! See more on the proofing box below.

No. 3 --> Adding the buttery cinnamon mixture to this recipe will be similar to adding the filling to my jalapeño cheddar sourdough. BUT the shaping is much easier and is done in basically 1 step!

No. 4 --> I finally(!) got a couple of bannetons! They are 100% NOT necessary for baking sourdough, but I do prefer the results of the loaves that have been proofed in the bannetons. If you don't have one, I have a great guide to banneton alternatives.

No. 5 --> Can't get enough sourdough and cinnamon? Try my sourdough cinnamon rolls!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Key Ingredients

Active Sourdough Starter:For this recipe, you want to use a fed andACTIVE SOURDOUGH STARTER. Your starter should have been fed within the last approximately 6-8 hours and have at least doubled in size. If you're using your sourdough starter while it's still expanding, the dough will be sweeter, and if you use it past its peak, the dough will be sourer. This recipe is based on a sourdough starter with 100% hydration (equal amounts of flour and waterby weight,not volume.)

Cinnamon: Even if you're a cinnamon aficionado with a collection of cinnamon, I would still recommend Saigon cinnamon. It's more affordable, easily accessible, and has a rich, spicy flavor that's perfectly suited to the sourdough flavor in this recipe.

Raisins: I recommend dark Thompson raisins. These seed-free raisins are sun-dried and have a delicious, caramel-like flavor that pairs perfectly with the spice in the cinnamon. Golden raisins will work in a pinch, but they are treated to prevent their skin from darkening and tend to have a more acidic taste.

How To Make Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread

Build the dough:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 100g fed and active starter with 350g warm water. Whisk until hom*ogenous.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together 500g bread flour, 10g salt, and 25g granulated sugar. Mix this into the wet ingredients. I usually stir with a whisk until I get to the shaggy stage. Once the dough looks shaggy, I'll switch to a bowl scraper or my hands to help lift and fold the dough into itself to ensure all the flour is absorbed.
  3. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rest for 45-60 minutes. This rest period improves the extensibility of the dough, leading to a better crumb and crust.

Stretch + Fold:

  1. With wet hands, grab the dough and gently pull it until the flap is long enough to fold over itself, then fold the flap, rotate the bowl 90 degrees, and repeat 6-10 times, for 2-3 rotations around the bowl.
  2. Recover the bowl and rest for another 45 minutes before repeating the stretch and fold process.
  3. After the second stretch and fold, pour hot water over 125g of Thompson raisins and allow them to soak during the next 45 minute rest.
  4. Prior to the third stretch and fold, strain the water out of the rehydrated raisins. Then add the raisins to the dough and stretch and fold the raisins into the dough. You'll likely have to do a little convincing and pressing the raisins into the dough. Any way you get it done is perfect! Return the bowl to the dough proofer and allow it to rest for another 30 minutes.

Cinnamon Swirl

  1. In a small bowl, combine 40g softened butter with 25g granulated sugar, 8g Saigon cinnamon, and 15g all purpose or bread flour to make a paste.
  2. Lightly dust your countertop with flour, then turn the dough onto the work surface.
  3. Carefully press/stretch the dough into a rectangular shape with wet hands. The dough may fight your pulling, but take care to not tear the dough - if required, stretch a bit, then let the dough rest for a couple of minutes before stretching more.
  4. Spread most of the cinnamon butter mixture over the surface of the dough, leaving about a 1/2" gap along the edges to ensure your dough sticks together and the cinnamon doesn't run out.
  5. Fold up the bottom of the rectangle about 1/3 of the way up, like you'd fold a letter. Spread the remaining cinnamon sugar blend on the top, ensuring you leave 1/2" along the edge. Fold the top of the dough over the bottom. Gently fold the sides under to form a boule shape.
  6. Place the shaped dough into a banneton, floured with rice flour, or banneton alternative, and cover. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature 4-5 hours to bake today, or place in the fridge to cold ferment for 6-24 hours.

Bake:

  1. Preheat oven with dutch oven inside to 450f. I use a large, bare cast iron dutch oven for this recipe. A light-colored enamel dutch oven absolutely works as well, I just find the lighter color enamel gives a lighter crust and tends to stain.
  2. Once the oven is preheated, turn the dough out onto a parchment paper sheet, then score the top of the loaf.
  3. Lift the dough using the parchment paper as a sling and place it into the hot dutch oven.
  4. Bake at 450f for 35 minutes covered and then another 15-20 minutes uncovered, until the crust is golden brown.
  5. Remove from dutch oven immediately and place on a wire mesh rack to cool before slicing.

Baker's Schedule

  • Day 1 -->
    • 6:30 am:Feed the starter.
    • 12:00 pm:Make the dough and rest for autolyze.
    • 3:00 pm:Stretch and fold process is complete.
    • 3:45 pm:Spread cinnamon butter mixture on the dough, shape the dough, and place into banneton. Allow shaped loaf to proof for 4-5 hours to bake today, or slide into plastic bag and place in fridge for 6-24 hours.
  • Day 2 -->
    • 8:30 am:Set a dutch oven into the cold oven and preheat both together at 450f.
    • 9:30 am:Flip the cinnamon raisin sourdough loaf onto a parchment paper square, score the top of the loaf. Then bake in the dutch oven.

Why Use A Proofing Box?

I absolutely adore my Brod + Taylor proofing box! It has simplified and improved my sourdough baking in a few different ways.

  1. Speed!One of the major factors in fermentation is temperature, and keeping my sourdough starter at a warmer temperature has helped me to learn my starter better and know how long it will take to activate after feeding, or what to expect for my bulk fermentation time.
  2. Consistency!Due to the consistently warmer temperature in the proofing box, my bread is consistently rising and ready for baking at expected times.
  3. Scheduling!This one ties into speed, but deserves its own section. Increasing the speed of fermentation means that I can much more easily fit sourdough baking into my busy schedule, and you will too.
  4. Better rise!The photos below show a fed starter split into two containers over the course of 3 hours. One was placed at room temperature and one was placed in the proofing box. It is evident that the starter in the proofing box rose/activated much more quickly than the room temperature starter. The starter from the proofing box also rose taller than the room temperature starter overall.

Using A Proofing Box For This Recipe

It's really easy to incorporate the proofing box into sourdough baking!

Fill the water reservoir and set the proofing box to 80f. Return the dough to the proofing box each time you're done handling it and reduce the time by approximately 1/3rd. If your stretch and folds need 45 minutes rest at room temp, reduce the time to 30 minutes in the proofer.

Batch + Storage

BATCH:

This recipe bakes a nice-sized loaf of cinnamon raisin sourdough bread. This is the perfect amount for our family of 4 to serve with breakfast for at least 2 days. Or for me to hide from my kids and spouse for up to 3 days!

STORAGE:

If you've got leftover sourdough, you've got serious willpower! There are a couple of ways to store sourdough bread to help prolong its quality after cutting.

Your boule can be kept cut side down on a cutting board for up to 12 hours before the crust becomes too crisp. This is our go-to. I recommend transferring it to a bread bag after 16-18 hours though.

Your sourdough loaf can also be frozen. To freeze sourdough, cool the loaf to room temperature, then tightly wrap it in plastic wrap, slide it into a bread bag, seal it up and stick it in the freezer for 1-2 months. To use after freezing, remove the loaf from the freezer, unwrap and allow it to come to room temperature (1 -2 hours) before slicing and enjoying.

More Sourdough Bread Recipes To Love

  • Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
  • Cranberry Walnut Sourdough
  • Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough
  • Chocolate Sourdough

Recommended Equipment

Brod + Taylor proofing box: Aside from streamlining and improving my sourdough baking, I love this bread proofer. It's easy to fold flat to put away, and quick to pop back open when my company leaves and I'm good to have stuff on my countertops! HA! I love that I can feed my starter and be ready to bake within 3-4 hours. You can't make sourdough happen instantly, but unit helps it happen a heck of a lot faster!

Scale:It's really hard to make sourdough without a scale. Sorry, but them's the facts! bread baking and bread dough are a bit of a science. AGOOD KITCHEN SCALEwill treat you well over a huge range of recipes, not just sourdough recipes. Think ofHOMEMADE BACON!

📖 Printable Recipe

Classic Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread Recipe - crave the good (30)

Yield: 1 loaf

Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread Recipe

Prep Time: 12 hours

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 12 hours 45 minutes

This cinnamon raisin sourdough is full of tangy sourdough, sweet raisins, and spicy cinnamon. It's the perfect mix of flavors. Use my easy to follow recipe with step by step photos and you can make this delicious bread at home! No need to go out or buy from a store when you can have fresh baked bread right from your own oven. Trust me, you're gonna love this cinnamon raisin sourdough bread recipe!

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 100g active sourdough starter
  • 350g water, filtered, room temperature
  • 500g bread flour
  • 25g granulated sugar
  • 10g sea salt
  • 125g Thompson seedless raisins

Cinnamon fiiling:

  • 40g softened butter or margarine
  • 25g granulated sugar
  • 15g all purpose or bread flour
  • 8g ground Saigon cinnamon

Instructions

Build the dough

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 100g fed and active starter with 350g warm water. Whisk until hom*ogenous.
    2. In another bowl, whisk together 500g bread flour, 10g salt, and 25g granulated sugar. Mix this into the wet ingredients. I usually stir with a whisk until I get to the shaggy stage. Once the dough looks shaggy, I'll switch to a bowl scraper or my hands to help lift and fold the dough into itself to ensure all the flour is absorbed.
    3. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rest for 45-60 minutes. This rest period improves the extensibility of the dough, leading to a better crumb and crust.

    Stretch + Fold:

      1. With wet hands, grab the dough and gently pull it until the flap is long enough to fold over itself, then fold the flap, rotate the bowl 90 degrees, and repeat 6-10 times, for 2-3 rotations around the bowl.
      2. Recover the bowl and rest for another 45 minutes before repeating the stretch and fold process.
      3. After the second stretch and fold, pour hot water over 125g of Thompson raisins and allow them to soak during the next 45 minute rest.
      4. Prior to the third stretch and fold, strain the water out of the rehydrated raisins. Then add the raisins to the dough and stretch and fold the raisins into the dough. You'll likely have to do a little convincing and pressing the raisins into the dough. Any way you get it done is perfect! Return the bowl to the dough proofer and allow it to rest for another 30 minutes.

      Add-ins:

        1. In a small bowl, combine 40g softened butter with 25g granulated sugar, 8g Saigon cinnamon, and 15g all purpose or bread flour to make a paste.
        2. Lightly dust your countertop with flour, then turn the dough onto the work surface.
        3. Carefully press/stretch the dough into a rectangular shape with wet hands. The dough may fight your pulling, but take care to not tear the dough - if required, stretch a bit, then let the dough rest for a couple of minutes before stretching more.
        4. Spread most of the cinnamon butter mixture over the surface of the dough, leaving about a 1/2" gap along the edges to ensure your dough sticks together and the cinnamon doesn't run out.
        5. Fold up the bottom of the rectangle about 1/3 of the way up, like you'd fold a letter. Spread the remaining cinnamon sugar blend on the top, ensuring you leave 1/2" along the edge. Fold the top of the dough over the bottom. Gently fold the sides under to form a boule shape.
        6. Place the shaped dough into a banneton, floured with rice flour, orBANNETON ALTERNATIVE, and cover. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature 4-5 hours to bake today, or place in the fridge to cold ferment for 6-24 hours.

        Bake:

        1. Preheat oven with dutch oven inside to 450f. I use a large, bare cast iron dutch oven for this recipe. A light-colored enamel dutch oven may need to bake longer uncovered or at a higher temperature.
        2. Once the oven is preheated, turn the dough out onto a parchment sheet. Score the dough with a lame or razor blade.
        3. Lift the dough using the parchment paper as a sling and place it into the hot dutch oven.
        4. Bake at 450f for 35 minutes covered and then another 15-20 minutes uncovered until the crust is golden brown.
        5. Remove from dutch oven immediately and place on a wire mesh rack to cool before slicing.

        Notes

        baker's schedule

        Day 1 -->

        • 6:30 am:Feed the starter.
        • 12:00 pm:Make the dough and rest for autolyze.
        • 3:00 pm:Stretch and fold process is complete.
        • 3:45 pm:Spread cinnamon butter mixture on the dough, shape the dough, and place into banneton. Allow shaped loaf to proof for 4-5 hours to bake today, or slide into plastic bag and place in fridge for 6-24 hours.

        Day 2 -->

        • 8:30 am:Set a dutch oven into the cold oven and preheat both together at 450f.
        • 9:30 am:Flip the cinnamon raisin sourdough loaf onto a parchment paper square, score the top of the loaf. Then bake in the dutch oven.


          BATCH:

          This recipe bakes a nice-sized loaf of cinnamon raisin sourdough bread. This is the perfect amount for our family of 4 to serve with breakfast for at least 2 days. Or for me to hide from my kids and spouse for up to 3 days!

          STORAGE:

          Your boule can be kept cut side down on a cutting board for up to 12 hours before the crust becomes too crisp. I recommend transferring it to a bread bag once cooled.

          Your sourdough loaf can also be frozen. To freeze, cool the loaf to room temperature, then tightly wrap in plastic wrap, slide it into a bread bag, seal it up and stick it in the freezer for 1-2 months. To use after freezing, remove the loaf from the freezer, unwrap and allow to come to room temperature (1 -2 hours) before slicing and enjoying.

          Nutrition Information:

          Yield:

          8

          Serving Size:

          1

          Amount Per Serving:Calories: 364Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 522mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 3gSugar: 16gProtein: 9g

          Did you make this recipe?

          Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

          Pin This Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread Recipe!

          Classic Cinnamon Raisin Sourdough Bread Recipe - crave the good (2024)

          FAQs

          What is the secret to good sourdough bread? ›

          Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Making Sourdough
          • Use your sourdough starter at its peak. ...
          • Moisten the surface of the dough before baking for more rise. ...
          • Handle with care: be gentle with your dough. ...
          • Use sifted flour to make your sourdough less dense. ...
          • Soak your flour beforehand for a lighter loaf. ...
          • Just add water for softer sourdough.

          Is it okay to eat sourdough bread every day? ›

          Is it healthy to eat sourdough everyday? You could eat sourdough every day, but it isn't necessarily healthy to do so. A healthy diet is characterized by balance and moderation. Whether or not it is healthy for you to consume sourdough every day depends on the rest of your diet.

          What is the healthiest sourdough bread? ›

          “The whole-grain sourdoughs have more fiber, protein and micronutrients, making them more filling and healthier for you overall,” says Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and nutrition editor at TODAY.com. When choosing a sourdough loaf, look for ones that have whole wheat, spelt or rye, Rizzo adds.

          What is the secret behind the sour of sourdough bread? ›

          There are two main acids produced in a sourdough culture: lactic acid and acetic acid. Acetic acid, or vinegar, is the acid that gives sourdough much of its tang. Giving acetic acid-producing organisms optimal conditions to thrive and multiply will produce a more tangy finished product.

          What is the best flour for sourdough bread? ›

          The best flour blend for creating a new sourdough starter is 50% whole-meal flour (whole wheat or whole rye) and 50% bread flour or all-purpose flour. I recommend a 50/50 mix of whole wheat flour and bread flour.

          What makes sourdough bread more flavorful? ›

          Longer fermentation

          As your dough proofs, the good bacteria eats up sugars and starches in the flour. This decreases the sweet undertone and creates a more sour undertone. The longer you ferment, the more starches and sugars the bacteria eats, and the more sour your bread will be.

          What is the disadvantage of sourdough bread? ›

          Possible Drawbacks of Sourdough Bread
          DrawbackExplanation
          Gluten presenceNot suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity
          Taste preferenceTangy flavor may not suit all palates
          Dietary diversityShould be consumed as part of a varied, balanced diet
          Apr 30, 2024

          Who should not eat sourdough bread? ›

          People with a gluten intolerance may find that sourdough is easier to digest, but people with celiac disease will likely still experience symptoms if they eat sourdough bread. If you have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, consult with your physician before adding sourdough bread to your diet.

          When should you not eat sourdough bread? ›

          As a general rule, you should throw out a loaf of sourdough bread when it shows visible signs of mold, when it has an unpleasant odor, or when it doesn't taste right. At this point, mold may be contaminating the bread below the surface, even if you can't see it.

          Is grocery store sourdough real sourdough? ›

          Despite the fact that traditional sourdough ingredients are flour, water, and salt, many store-bought versions include added yeast, ascorbic acid, vinegar, and oil. So, although many grocery stores may carry bread labeled “sourdough”, more often than not they are in fact fake sourdough.

          Is Pepperidge Farm sourdough actually sourdough? ›

          not sourdough

          It's sweet, it burns fast, no sour tang of actual sourdough.

          Is Panera sourdough bread real sourdough? ›

          Panera's Sourdough Loaf Is A Far Cry From Classic

          The Panera website lists the full ingredients of its "Classic Sourdough Loaf," and they're a far cry from true sourdough's minimal lineup of flour, water, salt, and live culture. In addition to wheat and malted barley flour, the sourdough starter contains folic acid.

          How long does sourdough bread last? ›

          I'll share my tips on the best way to store sourdough and a plan on the best way to eat it too. Sourdough bread will keep well for up to 3-5 days at a moderate room temperature of 18-20°C or 64-68°F. The warmer and more humid the conditions become, the more chance the sourdough has of spoiling.

          Why is sourdough bread easier on your stomach? ›

          During the fermentation process, bacteria and yeast work to predigest starches in the flour. This translates to easier digestion for you and a more stable effect on blood sugar compared to store bought bread.

          How to make sourdough more airy? ›

          Accurate Fermentation

          Fermentation really is the key to a more open crumb sourdough bread. You need to ensure that it isn't under fermented, nor over fermented as each of these issues will result in a more closed crumb. Ideally, you want your dough to double during bulk fermentation.

          What is the mother of sourdough bread? ›

          Mother - this is the overall dough culture that lives in a bowl in your fridge. We take portions from it to make our ferments (Starter) for our sourdough recipes. When the mother culture gets low, we add to it (feed it).

          How can I make my sourdough rise better? ›

          So don't leave your dough in a warm oven, on a radiator or in sunlight. It will likely be too warm and will dry out your dough too. Instead, find a cosy spot, with no drafts, for your dough to rise. And, if your sourdough starter is struggling to get going, consider finding it a warmer spot too.

          What is the best proofing time for sourdough bread? ›

          In my experience, the shortest final proof (at room temperature) that I prefer to do is one hour. The longest final proof (at room temperature) is about 3 hours. When going past 2-3 hours in a final proof, the crumb tends to get very gassy and opens up large gas bubbles with a longer countertop proof.

          What are three top tips when making sourdough starter? ›

          Top 10 Sourdough Starter Tips for Success
          1. Maintain a Schedule to Feed your Sourdough Starter. ...
          2. Know How to Store a Sourdough Starter. ...
          3. Maintain a Small Sourdough Starter.
          4. Use Sourdough Discard for Less Waste.
          5. Know How to Revive a Sourdough Starter. ...
          6. Measure your Ingredients by Weight.
          May 21, 2022

          Top Articles
          Latest Posts
          Article information

          Author: Tish Haag

          Last Updated:

          Views: 5813

          Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

          Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

          Author information

          Name: Tish Haag

          Birthday: 1999-11-18

          Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

          Phone: +4215847628708

          Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

          Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

          Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.