Cinnamon Roll Bread

Delicious and comforting, both warm from the oven and later when cooled (if you can resist!).

1. 1

   Put the milk and butter in a pan and warm gently until the butter has melted. Pour into a jug and leave until lukewarm (if you have a thermometer, it should be 37-42 degrees C).
   Sift the flours into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast (if using fresh yeast, rub in as if making a crumble). Then add the sugar (or maple syrup / honey) and salt and stir. Lightly beat the egg and add along with the buttery milk. Knead with the dough hook for 10 minutes until you have a soft smooth dough. Alternatively, mix together with a wooden spoon or your hands, then knead by hand for about 10 minutes.
   Place in a buttered bowl, cover with a shower cap or cling film and leave in a warm place for about an hour to rise until doubled in size.
   Melt the butter for the filling then leave it to cool for an hour while the bread rises.
   Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a rectangle, approx. 40 cm X 20 cm. Put the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, pour in the cooled butter and mix well together then spread over the dough, leaving a border of about 1 cm.
   Roll the dough up from the longest edge. Seal the edges well by pinching closed and slice it in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Lift on to a baking tray lined with baking paper or a silicone mat, then carefully twist together into a ring and pinch the ends together to seal.
   Place in a large bag, or cover with oiled / buttered cling film, and return to the warm place for 30-40 minutes until puffed up.
   Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. (Optional - place a little tray of water on the bottom shelf to boost the initial rise when baking and for an extra crispy crust).
   Melt the remaining 10 g butter. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
   Gently brush the top of the bread with melted butter, sprinkle over the cinnamon sugar and the flaked almonds. Bake on the middle shelf for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Leave to cool on the tray for 10 minutes then serve warm, or leave to cool completely.
   Optional - dust with a little icing sugar before serving.