There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon raisin bread wafting through your kitchen. This vegan cinnamon raisin bread recipe is a delightful twist on a classic favorite, made entirely without animal products but packed with flavor and warmth.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is approachable and rewarding. The soft, slightly sweet dough swirled with fragrant cinnamon and studded with plump raisins creates a perfect balance of taste and texture.
It’s an ideal treat for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a cozy snack. Plus, it’s completely plant-based, making it suitable for vegans and anyone looking to enjoy wholesome, cruelty-free baked goods.
In this post, you’ll find detailed steps, tips for best results, and ideas to customize your loaf. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s bake some heartwarming vegan cinnamon raisin bread that’s sure to become a staple in your home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cinnamon raisin bread recipe is a winner for many reasons. First, it’s 100% vegan, meaning no eggs, dairy, or animal-derived ingredients.
Instead, we use plant-based alternatives that keep the bread moist and tender. The dough is soft and rises beautifully thanks to active yeast, ensuring a light texture.
The cinnamon swirl is deeply aromatic and pairs wonderfully with sweet raisins, making each bite a burst of flavor. This bread is versatile — perfect toasted with vegan butter, or even as a base for a fancy vegan French toast breakfast.
Lastly, the recipe uses simple pantry staples, so you can whip it up anytime without a trip to the store. It’s ideal for beginners and experienced bakers alike, making homemade vegan bread accessible and delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
- 1 cup warm almond milk (or any plant milk, warmed to about 110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup maple syrup or agave nectar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup raisins (plump and preferably unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (for cinnamon swirl)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or fork
- Wooden spoon or dough hook attachment (if using a stand mixer)
- Loaf pan (9×5 inches)
- Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
- Pastry brush (optional, for brushing oil)
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm almond milk and maple syrup. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means the yeast is alive and ready to work.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, salt, and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour the foamy yeast mixture and vegetable oil into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or dough hook until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, adding the remaining ½ cup flour gradually as needed. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky, but elastic and smooth.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the cinnamon swirl mixture: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon together.
- Shape the loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 12×8 inches. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough, then scatter the raisins on top.
- Roll and place in pan: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Place the loaf seam-side down into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf loosely with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for another 45 minutes, or until it’s puffed up and about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
- Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips & Variations
Tip: If the top of your bread browns too quickly during baking, tent it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the inside finishes baking.
For an extra touch of flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough. You can also substitute raisins with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or currants for a different fruity twist.
To make this recipe gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to help with texture. Be mindful that rising times may vary.
If you love a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans into the cinnamon sugar swirl before rolling the dough.
For a lighter version, swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but be sure to increase the liquid slightly to keep the dough moist.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Slice (1/12 loaf) |
---|---|
Calories | 180 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 35 g |
Protein | 4 g |
Fat | 4.5 g |
Saturated Fat | 0.5 g |
Sugar | 8 g |
Fiber | 2 g |
Sodium | 180 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This vegan cinnamon raisin bread is delicious on its own or toasted with a spread of vegan butter or your favorite nut butter. For a decadent breakfast, top slices with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
It also pairs well with savory dishes — try it alongside a bowl of vegan chili or a creamy plant-based soup. If you enjoy sweet treats, this bread makes a perfect base for vegan French toast or bread pudding.
Looking for more plant-based inspiration? Check out our Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe for a hearty side, or warm up with our Bariatric Meatloaf Recipe, which can be easily adapted to a vegan version.
For something tangy and flavorful to accompany your bread, try the Pickled Cherry Pepper Recipe.
Conclusion
Baking homemade vegan cinnamon raisin bread is a rewarding experience that fills your home with warmth and irresistible fragrance. This recipe combines simple ingredients with easy techniques to create a soft, flavorful loaf that everyone will love.
Whether you’re new to vegan baking or looking to add a classic to your repertoire, this bread fits the bill perfectly.
Enjoy it fresh from the oven, toasted, or as part of a creative meal. Plus, the recipe’s flexibility means you can experiment with flavors and ingredients to suit your taste.
Embrace the joy of baking and treat yourself to this comforting vegan classic that’s sure to become a beloved favorite.
📖 Recipe Card: Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe Vegan
Description: A soft and flavorful vegan cinnamon raisin bread perfect for breakfast or snacks. This recipe is easy to make and uses simple plant-based ingredients.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT35M
Total Time: PT55M
Servings: 1 loaf (8 slices)
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm almond milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm almond milk, maple syrup, and yeast; let sit for 5 minutes.
- Mix flour, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a large bowl.
- Add the yeast mixture, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients; stir to form dough.
- Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- Fold in raisins evenly throughout the dough.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down dough and shape into a loaf; place in a greased loaf pan.
- Let dough rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35 minutes.
- Cool before slicing and serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal per slice | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 6 g | Carbs: 38 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe Vegan”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A soft and flavorful vegan cinnamon raisin bread perfect for breakfast or snacks. This recipe is easy to make and uses simple plant-based ingredients.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT35M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “1 loaf (8 slices)”, “recipeIngredient”: [“3 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 cup warm almond milk”, “2 tablespoons maple syrup”, “1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1 teaspoon ground cinnamon”, “1/4 cup coconut oil, melted”, “3/4 cup raisins”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “1/4 cup brown sugar”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, combine warm almond milk, maple syrup, and yeast; let sit for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a large bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add the yeast mixture, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients; stir to form dough.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold in raisins evenly throughout the dough.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Punch down dough and shape into a loaf; place in a greased loaf pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let dough rise again for 30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and bake for 35 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool before slicing and serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220 kcal per slice”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “6 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “38 g”}}