The Estate Bakery

Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear

Name: Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup milk; 1 large egg; 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces, room temperature, ½ stick; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon table salt; 1 ½ teaspoons dry active yeast; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ cup chopped pecans; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, chilled; 1 tablespoon butter, melted; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ cup butter, room temperature, 1 stick; 4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup; 1 cup strawberries, stems removed; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

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The Strategy:

Baking this fragrant cinnamon-pecan loaf fills the home with warmth, making it the perfect welcome for guests. Roll the sweet dough around a rich, spiced pecan filling before baking, then brush with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve alongside a fresh, whipped strawberry-thyme cream cheese spread for an elegant touch.

Serves: 8-10 | Total Time: 25 minutes till it's ready, plus overnight and 30 minutes to rise

Ingredients

Bread

¾ cup milk
1 large egg
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces, room temperature, ½ stick
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon table salt
1 ½ teaspoons dry active yeast

Cinnamon-Nut Filling

½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, chilled

Cinnamon Topping

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Strawberry-Thyme Schmear

½ cup butter, room temperature, 1 stick
4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup
1 cup strawberries, stems removed
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

Cinnamon-Nut Filling

Place the brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter into the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until the filling is the consistency of a chunky paste.

Bread

Place the milk and egg into the bucket of a bread machine.
Add the butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon and table salt.
Add the yeast to the yeast compartment or make a well in the flour depending on your machine.
Set the machine on the dough cycle.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to a 12 X 9-inch rectangle.
Spread the filling out over the dough. Starting from the short side, roll the dough up over the filling forming a 9-inch loaf. Tuck the ends underneath.
Place into a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan coated with vegetable oil spray.
Cover with a towel and let rise until the dough has puffed up, about 30 minutes. If you're making this ahead of time, you can cover the loaf with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Bake until the bread sounds hollow when lightly tapped, about 30 minutes.
Remove the loaf from the oven.

Cinnamon Topping

Brush the warm loaf with melted butter.
Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top and sides of the bread.

Strawberry-Thyme Schmear

Place the butter, cream cheese, strawberries, honey and thyme into the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse to combine.
Spoon the schmear into a bowl and serve with the warm bread.

The full recipe lives in the Vault

Ingredients, step-by-step method, and every chef-tested detail are reserved for members of the Estate Registry.

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Sunday Know How

Loading ingredients into the bread machine is the secret to creating delicious breads while you're off playing around. Place liquid ingredients into the pan first, and make sure they are room temperature – not chilled. Follow with dry ingredients. Keep yeast and/or baking powder separate, either in a separate part of the machine, or by creating a well in the dry ingredients.

The Heart of the Table

This beautiful loaf of bread, served warm with its vibrant pink strawberry schmear, brings a sense of cozy elegance to the table. The sweet and herbal aromas invite guests to linger over their slices, fostering deep, relaxed conversations.

An appetizing, fresh serving of cooked Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear displayed beautifully on a styled dining table.

The Art of the Host

a wide, copper-plated wire cooling rack to ensure perfect airflow
a professional-grade stainless steel bench scraper with a laser-etched ruler
a hand-carved, long-handled cherrywood stirring spoon
a seamless, high-heat resistant silicone spatula in a soft slate grey
a hand-crafted walnut baker's lame with an adjustable razor blade
a large, hand-thrown ceramic serving platter with an organic rim

Neighborly Grace

THE PRESENTATION: Slice the warm bread and fan the pieces on a rustic olive wood board, placing the strawberry-thyme schmear in a small stoneware ramekin next to it.
THE POUR: Pair with a cup of hot Earl Grey tea or a glass of dry, sparkling Rosé.
THE VIBE: Rustic Dining Room. The soft glow of candlelight and the earthy aroma of baked nuts create a sanctuary of comfort and welcoming grace.

Chef’s Recommendations

The Other Pull-Apart Loaf: Monkeying Around Bread
Picks Up the Strawberry Schmear: Strawberry-Ricotta Topped French Toast
The Savory Plate: Green Eggs and Ham Scramble
The Other Schmear: Smoked Salmon Toasts with Scallion-Caper Cream Cheese, Pickled Radishes, and Jammy Eggs

The Estate Table

Build tonight’s menu around this dish.

✦ Set the Table

Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear

Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear

The full recipe lives in the Vault

The Heart of the Table

The Art of the Host

Neighborly Grace

✨ The Gilded Swaps