Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear
Setting a cozy, inviting tone in our kitchen begins with the slow-paced baking of Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear, letting the sweet scent of baking dough and warm spices fill the kitchen with anticipation, which turns kitchen preparation into a shared pleasure and a welcoming ritual. The application of dry heat locks the structure of the dish by coagulating proteins, creating a tender crumb while browning surface carbohydrates for rich flavor. The resulting centerpiece is a stunning, warm invitation for a party of eight, blending quiet luxury with the nostalgic pleasure of sharing a beautifully prepared treat.
Is there anything better than warm bread, right out of the oven, sliced and then slathered with fruit flavored spread? I don't think so. Simply dump everything in the bread machine bucket and set the timer so that the dough is ready for baking, while you are sipping your Sunday morning cup o' Joe.
Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear
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
- 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cups whole milk
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 1 pint fresh blackberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- Zest of ½ large lime, about 1 to 2 teaspoons
- Juice of 1 large lime, about 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
Instructions
- 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.
- Cinnamon-Nut Filling Preheat the oven to 350°. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Nothing' s better with your morning skinny latte than a thick slice of warm, sweet cake with a slather of tart berry jam. It' s a combo that makes your tongue want to slap the roof of your mouth!
- Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Use an electric mixer to combine the milk, canola oil and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. Stir in almond and vanilla extracts.
- Mix in the flour. Stir in the poppy seeds and blueberries until just combined. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake until the loaf is golden on the top and a tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes.
- Remove the loaf from the pan and cool completely.
- Jammin' Berry Jam Place the berries, sugar, lime zest and juice into a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the berries are mushy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the mint and cook until the berries break down completely, about 5 minutes more.
- Pour the jam into a bowl and cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container.
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.
Blueberry Poppy Seed Loaf with Jammin' Berry Jam
Jellies and jams prepared for long term storage require a gelatin agent, or ingredient called pectin.
The "jam" in this recipe is really a reduction of fresh fruit, not the jam you pour into a Mason jar, and stash in the back of a pantry shelf. If you want a primer on canning and making jelly there are many online tutorials to choose from! This jam, stored in an airtight container in the fridge, lasts for several days.
The Heart of the Table
The sweet aroma of warm cinnamon and sweet spices wafting from the warm oven brings pure joy, drawing everyone close to enjoy this delicious cinnamon-nut bread. Sharing these fresh, sweet bakery treats turns a casual morning gathering into a warm, joyful symphony of laughter.
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: Style the serving area with a foundation of rustic warmth by placing the warm bake directly onto a thick, blue-and-white checkered kitchen towel draped over a distressed white oak sideboard. Position a hand-carved pecan-wood serving board right alongside, flanked by a stack of mismatched, hand-thrown ceramic side plates in soft shades of sage green and butter cream. Scatter a few sprigs of fresh mint and edible blossoms around the serving area to complement the dish's flavor. A simple stoneware pitcher filled with freshly cut garden wildflowers provides a natural, unpretentious center point that welcomes guests.
- THE POUR: To harmonize with the warm baking spices and rich fruit notes of the Cinnamon-Nut Bread with Strawberry-Thyme Schmear, we recommend a sweet, sparkling Moscato d'Asti or a rustic, semi-dry artisanal French hard apple cider. These beverages offer notes of sweet apricot, honeyed orange blossom, and crisp red orchard apple that mirror the sugars and spices while providing a lively carbonation. Serve chilled at 40°F in a crystal coupe. For a non-alcoholic alternative, offer a sparkling spiced apple cider simmered with star anise, Ceylon cinnamon, and fresh orange rind, served at 42°F in a chilled highball glass. The warm baking spices and bright apple sweetness create a comforting sensory harmony.
- THE VIBE: Set the mood by dimming the dining room lights to a warm, candlelit glow, letting the flickering flames from beeswax tapers cast soft shadows across the table. In the background, curate a playlist featuring the acoustic warmth of Norah Jones, the nostalgic piano melodies of Vince Guaraldi, and the soft jazz rhythms of Stan Getz, kept at a volume that encourages intimate conversations and gentle laughter. The physical atmosphere is enriched by the scent of cinnamon-honey steam and the natural woodsy aroma of the fireplace. With a party of eight snugly gathered around the table, the space feels like a sanctuary of comfort and welcoming grace.