Cinnamon-Sugar Pull Apart Bread

When I am meal planning for the week, I try to be realistic. This means that on Friday or Saturday night we are going to want to go out with our friends, so that is usually our meal out for the week. Then I know that the other night, we will be watching football, UFC, etc on TV at home and the urge for take-out will hit. I have started planning a snacky dinner for these nights. It is usually a homemade pizza variation or homemade wings. Ethan's favorite part about ordering pizza is the dessert pizza or cinnasticks, so I knew I had to make this.

This was so much fun to make. I made the dough Saturday morning when we first got up, and let it rise all day until we were ready to make it. We also had Pepperoni Pull Apart Bread with it. I will be showcasing that after all of the holiday treats have made their rounds.

I think this would be perfect for Christmas morning. It is easy to make, delicious, and portable. You don't have to sit down with a knife and fork in the middle of all of the gift wrapping (now torn to shreds) and new presents spread out for viewing.
Source: Dainty Chef, via Joy the Baker

Ingredients for the Dough:
2 3/4 cups of All-Purpose Flour, plus more as needed
1/4 cup of Sugar
1 package of Instant Yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons
1/2 teaspoon of Salt
4 tablespoons of Butter
1/3 cup of Milk
1/4 cup of Water
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs

Ingredients for the Filling:
4 tablespoons of Butter
1 cup of Sugar
2 teaspoons of Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of Nutmeg

Directions:

First, in a large mixing bowl, I used my stand-mixer bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.

Now, in a cup or small bowl, whisk together your eggs. Set aside.

Next, in a small saucepan, melt the butter and milk together. When it is just melted, remove from heat, and add the vanilla and water. Set aside to cool for 2-3 minutes.

Now, pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredient mixture. Mix with your stand mixer and dough hook, your hands, or a wooden spoon. When the ingredients are combined, add the eggs, and keep combining the ingredients together until they are well incorporated. Now, add the additional 3/4 cup of flour and knead for about 3 minutes. The mixture will still be sticky.

Next, get a large bowl out and spray it with cooking spray or coat it with olive oil. Place the bread inside and cover with plastic wrap and then place a kitchen towel on top of it. Place in a high, warm spot to rise. Alternatively, you can place in the refrigerator overnight, just set it out for 30 minutes on the counter to come to room temperature before continuing to the next step.

It is time get the dough back out, lightly flour a working space, and deflate the dough and knead with 2 tablespoons of flour. Leave on the counter and cover with kitchen towel for 5 minutes.

Now, place the butter in a small saucepan and melt until browned. Set aside.

While the butter is browning,in a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Next, grease and flour a loaf pan, 9x5x3 inch. Set aside.

Back to the dough, use a rolling pin to roll it out into a 12x20 inch rectangle. Use a pastry brush to brush the butter on the dough. Sprinkle all of the filling over the dough, it may seem like a ton, but use it all.

Slice the dough vertically into 6 equal size strips. Stack the strips on top of one another and slice into 6 equal slices again. You should have 6 stacks of 6 strips. Layer the dough squares in the loaf pan. Place the kitchen towel over the pan and let rise for 30-45 minutes, until doubled in size.

Place the loaf pan into a pre-heated oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30-35 minutes, you want it to be a dark golden brown to ensure that it is cooked thoroughly.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edges and invert onto a serving tray.

Start pulling away!

Enjoy!

Happy Cooking,
The Barbee Housewife