Easy Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread in 1 Hour

Oh, quick bread! Is there ANYTHING easier? I mean, seriously. And this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread is not only EASY, but it’s like, secretly healthy-ISH because we’re using up that sourdough discard. No waste, people! Plus, that little bit of tang from the discard? *Chef’s kiss*. It just elevates the whole thing. Trust me on this. You know, I actually stumbled upon this recipe when I was trying to clean out my fridge. I had, like, a ton of sourdough discard staring me down, begging to be used. After a morning of recipe testing– and lots of coffee– BOOM! This Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread was born. My family went wild. They inhaled it! My baking experience? Well, It’s not fancy – just years of making messes (and yummy stuff!) in the kitchen. So I KNOW a thing or two about baking delicious things from home!

Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread

Okay, so why is this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread about to become your new fave? Lemme tell ya:

• It’s FAST! Seriously, you can whip this up faster than ordering takeout.
• Easiest thing EVER. If you can stir, you can make this.
• Cinnamon heaven in every bite! That warm, sweet spice? Irresistible.
• Uses up that sourdough discard! Hello, zero waste baking!
• It’s SO moist. Like, melt-in-your-mouth kinda moist. You won’t believe it!

Ingredients for Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread

Alright, let’s gather our players! Here’s what you’ll need to make this magical Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread:

• 1 cup sourdough discard (unfed – straight from the fridge is perfect!)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for sweetness, of course!)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (keeps it moist!)
• 1 large egg (the binder that holds it all together)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (a must for that extra flavor kick!)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (the base of our bread)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (for that beautiful rise!)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (more rise, please!)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness… it’s science!)
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (because… cinnamon!)
• 1/4 cup milk (any kind will do!)

How to Make Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, friend, ready to get baking? Don’t be scared – this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread is seriously foolproof. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be nomming on warm, cinnamony goodness in no time!

1. First things first: **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).** Trust me, you don’t wanna skip this. A hot oven is key to a good rise. While that’s warming up, **grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.** This prevents sticking, which is a BIG win. Nobody wants a bread that refuses to come out of the pan!
2. Now, grab a **large bowl** (the biggest one you’ve got!) and **combine your sourdough discard, sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla.** Get in there with a spoon or spatula and mix it all up until it’s well combined. It might look a little weird, but don’t worry – it’ll all come together.
3. In a **separate bowl** (yep, another one!), **whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.** Whisking is important here – it helps distribute the baking powder and soda evenly, so you don’t get weird pockets of salt.
4. Okay, here’s the trickiest part (but still super easy!): **Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk.** Start with the dry ingredients and end with the dry ingredients. So, it’s like: dry, milk, dry, milk, dry. Mix until *just* combined. **Don’t overmix!** Overmixing = tough bread, and nobody wants that. A few streaks of flour are okay. They’ll disappear in the oven!
5. Time for the cinnamon-sugar magic! In a **small bowl, mix your cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of sugar.** This is gonna be that delicious swirl of cinnamon-y goodness in the middle of your bread. Mmm!
6. **Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan.** Then, **sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top.** Swirl it around a bit with a knife if you’re feeling fancy.
7. **Pour the remaining batter over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.** Now it looks like a REAL quick bread!
8. **Bake for 50-55 minutes.** But! Here’s a secret: start checking it at 50 minutes. **Insert a wooden skewer into the center**. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), it’s done! If it’s still wet, bake it for a few more minutes and check again. Ovens vary, so trust your skewer!
9. Last but not least: **Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes** before **transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.** I know, I know, it’s torture! But trust me, it’s worth it. If you try to slice it while it’s still hot, it’ll just crumble. Patience, my friend!

And that’s it! Seriously, wasn’t that easy? Now go grab a slice (or two!) of your freshly baked Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread and enjoy! You deserve it!

Tips for the Best Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread

Want your Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread to be the BEST? Of COURSE you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way:

• **Measure your flour correctly!** Don’t just scoop it out of the bag. That packs it in! Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Trust me, it makes a difference.
• **Don’t overmix!** I said it before, and I’ll say it again: overmixing = tough bread. You want a tender crumb, not a hockey puck!
• **Check for doneness properly.** That skewer test is your best friend! Make sure it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If it’s wet, keep baking!
• **Let it cool completely!** I know it’s tempting to dive in right away, but resist! Let that bread cool completely on a wire rack. It’ll slice so much easier, and the flavors will develop even more.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be baking up a Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread masterpiece every time!

Variations on This Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread Recipe

Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations. That’s when things get *really* exciting! Here’s a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• **Spice it up!** Instead of just cinnamon, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom. Wow! It’ll give it a warm, cozy flavor. I like using a combo of all three!
• **Nutty goodness!** Throw in some chopped walnuts or pecans. It adds a nice crunch and a little extra flavor. Toast ’em first for an even more intense nutty taste, ya know?
• **Fruity fun!** Dried raisins or cranberries are always a win! They add a little sweetness and chewiness. Before you use the raisins, you can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to make them extra plump. Delicious!
• **Chocolate chips!** Okay, who *doesn’t* love chocolate chips? Mix in some mini chocolate chips for an extra-decadent treat. I love this trick!

And hey, if you’re feeling *really* adventurous, why not check out my Sugar-Free Zucchini Bread recipe and see if you can adapt some of those ideas too? The possibilities are endless, friends!

Storing Your Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread

Alright, so you’ve baked this gorgeous Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread…now what? Don’t worry, storing it is easy peasy! Here’s the lowdown:

• For the short term: An airtight container at room temperature is perfect for up to 3 days. Although, let’s be real, it’ll probably be gone way before then!
• Wanna keep it longer? Pop it in the fridge! It’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
• Freezing for later? You got it! Wrap that baby up TIGHT in plastic wrap, then again in foil. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. Just thaw it out completely before digging in! (Or, you know, sneak a frozen slice…I won’t tell!).

FAQ About Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread

Got questions about this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread? I bet you do! Here are some of the most common ones I get asked. And if you’re still wondering about something, just leave a comment below! You can also check out my Lemon Blueberry Bread recipe to look at some of the frequently asked questions there – a lot of advice applies across both recipes!

Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard?

Hmm, good question. But no, not really for this particular recipe! Active starter will give you a different texture – more like actual sourdough bread – which isn’t what we’re going for here. This Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread is designed to be QUICK and easy, and the discard gives it that wonderfully tender crumb.

What if I don’t *have* sourdough discard?

Okay, okay, I get it! Not everyone is a sourdough fanatic. If you don’t have discard, you can make a “fake” discard by mixing equal parts flour and water and letting it sit at room temperature for several hours (or overnight). But honestly, it won’t be *exactly* the same, though; it’s better to find a friend who bakes sourdough and beg for theirs!

Can I use a different kind of flour?

Sure! You can substitute some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. But keep in mind that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you might need to add a tablespoon or two more milk to get the right consistency. I haven’t tried using gluten-free flour, so I can’t vouch for that – but if you do, let me know how it turns out!

How do I know when the bread is done?

The wooden skewer test is your best friend here. You wanna insert it into the center of the bread. Keep calm and do this even if is starting to brown on top! If it comes out clean, it’s done! If it has wet batter on it, bake it for a few more minutes and try again. Remember, every oven is different! Also, I recommend adding a bunt pan on the bottom shelf of your oven to avoid browning the bottom of your bread too much — this is my #1 Tip!

Nutritional Information for Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread

Okay, here’s the deal: nutritional info can vary WILDLY depending on the brands you use and how big you slice it. So, consider this just a general ballpark, okay?

Enjoyed This Recipe? Leave a Comment!

Loved this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Quick Bread? I wanna hear about it! Leave a comment below, give it a rating, and share it with your friends on social media! Happy Baking!

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