Cinnamon Swirl Loaf Cake

A tender, ribbon-like crumb studded with a bold cinnamon-sugar swirl, baked until the top caramelizes — the kind of thing that tastes best when still slightly warm.

⏱ 50 min · easy · 🍽 serves 4

Ingredients

• 6 oz all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3.5 oz butter, softened
• ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Steps

1. Heat your toaster oven to 350F. Grease and line a small loaf pan (roughly 7 × 3 inches).
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream the butter and ⅓ cup sugar together until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
4. Fold in the flour mixture in two additions, alternating with the sour cream. Stop as soon as it comes together — do not overmix.
5. Stir the cinnamon and brown sugar together in a small bowl.
6. Spread half the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar mixture over it. Top with the remaining batter and finish with the cinnamon-sugar, swirling gently with a fork or skewer to create a ribbon.
7. Brush the top lightly with a little egg white or milk if you like a glossy finish.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a skewer comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The top will be deep golden and a little cracked.
9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack. Slice once it is just warm.