Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread

I shared yesterday that in the last couple of weeks I've been in a cooking funk.  Well... really I guess it was a non-cooking funk ha.. since I haven't been doing much cooking.

My pantry was slim pickings last week and yet I was in the mood to cook something.  I also needed something for my breakfasts and remembered this recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread.

This is a frugal, pantry cooking recipe.  It uses ingredients I normally keep in my pantry.  It does call for buttermilk which I almost NEVER buy unless I'm making ranch dressing.  But, that's no problem.  Just measure the milk and add a spoonful of lemon juice or vinegar.  Let it sit a few minutes and it works fine in this recipe.  I don't actually measure the lemon juice.  

My husband also loves this recipe.  He's not much of a sweet eater but if we have a loaf of Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread on the counter, then he will be slicing into it.  It reminds me of zucchini bread, but without the zucchini.  Its not a yeast bread.  Its a quick bread, more like a muffin. 

Here's how I make Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread AT HOME MY WAY:

Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached is best)
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk/sour milk (1 T. vinegar/lemon juice, then add enough milk to equal 1 cup)
• 1/3 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 eggs (slightly beaten)

Streusel:

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoon butter/margarine 

In a large bowl, combine all of the bread ingredients.  Beat for 2 minutes.  It will be very thick.  Pour the batter into a sprayed/prepared pan.  In a separate, small bowl, combine all streusel ingredients until crumbly.  Sprinkle over the batter and swirl slightly to marble.  Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until a toothpick/knife inserted into the center comes clean (my loaf took a little longer).  Cool 10 minutes and then loosen with a knife and remove from the pan.  Makes 1 loaf.