Easy Cinnamon Focaccia Bread

Topped with a simple glaze, this fluffy focaccia bread with a chewy crust hides pockets of cinnamon sugar in this Easy Cinnamon Focaccia Bread recipe. This is a wonderful breakfast or brunch bread that will feed a crowd!

After nearly a year of working out the kinks, I have fallen in love with this cinnamon focaccia bread recipe. There is the outer crust that’s buttery and full of life. Then there’s the swirling cinnamon sugar that pools into pockets of sweetness, creating bites of heavenly goodness.

How to Make Iced Focaccia Bread with Cinnamon Sugar

This easy brunch bread recipe is made simple by breaking down the steps into categories that keep you focused on the task at hand. From making the bread dough to the glaze, this cinnamon focaccia bread really comes together with ease. Make it once, and follow the step maticously. Make it twice, and it is like a slow dance. Make this Cinnamon Sugar Focaccia Bread three times, and you will be dreaming up fillings and toppings for this easy focaccia bread.

Ingredients for Easy Cinnamon Focaccia Bread

The best thing about Focaccia Bread is that it uses pantry staples so you can make it almost anytime with ingredients that you have all ready stocked in your pantry.

For the Focaccia Bread:

• 2 ¼ cups warm water, temperature between 110°-115°F
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups flour 
• 2 packets of rapid-rise, instant yeast, OR 4 ½ teaspoons of the jar yeast

For the Cinnamon Sugar:

• 3/4 cups, 1.5 sticks of butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar 
• 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted, for greasing the pan

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 Tablespoons milk, we use whole milk
  • For this recipe, start with 1 Tablespoon of milk and add 1/4 Tablespoon until the icing reaches the pouring consistency for drizzling.

Instructions for Making Cinnamon Sugar Focaccia Bread

Make the Focaccia Bread:

In a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and flour. Then, on a medium to low speed, knead the bread for 4 minutes until it’s fully combined. Dough should be smooth and elastic. If needed, add a couple of tablespoons of flour at a time until the bread dough is no longer sticky.

Make the Cinnamon Sugar Sauce:

In a medium to large saucepan, melt the 3/4 cups of butter. Once melted, add the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir the sauce occasionally until it is all combined. Then remove it from the heat.

Construct the Focaccia Bread:

Now, grease the large sheet pan with the melted butter. *We line the baking sheet with parchment paper and then grease the paper. This allows for easy cutting of the bread while still getting crisp buttery edges.

After the pan is greased, turn out the dough onto the sheet pan and carefully stretch it to fit with your hands. Then, spoon half the cinnamon sugar onto the bread dough, spreading it evenly over the entire surface.

Next, fold the dough in a letter fold, bringing the top halfway down to the center, and then bring the bottom half up and over the center to meet the top edge.

Then, cover the prepared dough with plastic wrap and let it rise for 45 minutes.

Bake the Cinnamon Focaccia Bread:

When it is 30 minutes into the rise time, preheat the oven to 400°F.

Now, remove the plastic wrap, then dimple the bread by pressing your fingers firmly all over, stretching it back out to the size of the sheet pan. Pour the remaining cinnamon sugar over the bread, then bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.

While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk with a fork, then add 1 tbsp of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Drizzle it over the slightly warm bread. Cut the bread, serve it warm, and enjoy!

Storing Easy Cinnamon Focaccia Bread

Focaccia Bread is best enjoyed immediately; however, it does keep well in an airtight container for a day or two. After a couple of days, the bread will dry out.

More Brunch and Breakfast Recipes

This Easy Raspberry Cheesecake Danish recipe uses fresh raspberries and a savory cheesecake filling baked into a braided pastry sheet, making it perfect for weekend guests or a quick brunch idea!

Then, for something savory, try our Sausage Gravy and Biscuits. It’s a tried-and-true recipe for a hearty breakfast. Breakfast casseroles are also a one-stop shop for savory breakfast dishes. This Sausage and Hash Brown Breakfast Bake and Classic Breakfast Casserole with bread and cheese slices are great recipes that keep you full and feed a crowd. For a Whole30 breakfast idea, try our Easy Potato Quiche. It’s fresh, filling, and a great way to start the day.

Now sweets are my weakness, and these breakfast options check all the boxes: sweet, filling, and fulfilling. This French Toast Casserole is a great way to use up bread and is perfect topped with fresh fruit. This Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake is a warm and delicious breakfast, too.