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Is there a reason, besides the beautiful appearance, that cinnamon is added as a swirl instead of added directly to the dough? I heard once that it inhibited the yeast but I can't find confirmation of that.

talon8
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Barbara
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  • Interesting question. When it is swirled in it's always mixed with sugar, and often with butter. Maybe the quantity of sugar necessary to balance the cinnamon would over-feed a yeast dough? – Jolenealaska Dec 01 '14 at 20:38
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    Cinnamon [increases yeast activity until a certain amount](http://books.google.com/books?id=b-iwjIb2RxwC&lpg=PA479&ots=uw6R9qWxs6&dq=cereal%20chemistry%201954%20%22the%20effect%20of%20spices%20on%20yeast%20fermentation%22&pg=PA479#v=onepage&q=cereal%20chemistry%201954%20%22the%20effect%20of%20spices%20on%20yeast%20fermentation%22&f=false) – Ching Chong Dec 01 '14 at 22:41

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I think there is no reason except tradition. Cinnamon rolled buns just happen to be a common food in Central Europe, and they were exported to the USA.

While I have no source to back this, I have frequently made breads where the cinnamon is kneaded into the dough. One common example is Peter Reinhart's Greek recipe from the book Bread Baker's Apprentice. The bread is enriched with honey, olive oil and a good amount of cinnamon, and it rises and bakes just like any other bread with similar hydration.

rumtscho
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