
This gluten-free cinnamon pull-apart bread combines soft, pillowy dough with warm cinnamon-sugar layers for an irresistible treat. After perfecting this recipe through many iterations, I've discovered the secrets to achieving that perfect texture without gluten.
The first time I served this to gluten-free friends, they couldn't believe it wasn't traditional bread.
Essential Ingredients Guide
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Must include xanthan gum
- Active Dry Yeast: Provides proper rise
- Quality Butter: Creates tender layers
- Fresh Cinnamon: Essential for flavor
- Brown Sugar: Forms caramel notes
Creating Your Bread
- Perfect The Dough:
- Activate yeast properly in warm milk. Temperature control is crucial for proper rise.
- Build The Layers:
- Roll dough between parchment, brush butter evenly, distribute filling thoroughly, stack with precision, and cut cleanly for neat layers.
- Master The Rise:
- Maintain a warm environment, watch for proper doubling, test dough readiness, and allow proper rest time.
- Monitor The Bake:
- Check color development, watch for proper rise, test center doneness, and protect from over-browning.
Perfect The Glaze
- Create ideal consistency by:
- Adding liquid gradually, testing drip thickness, applying at the right temperature, and achieving proper coverage.

Creative Variations
- Transform your bread with:
- Different spice combinations, nutty additions, fruit fillings, and alternative glazes.
Storage Solutions
- Maintain freshness by:
- Wrapping properly when cool, storing at room temperature, freezing individual portions, and reheating gently.
Temperature Control Mastery
- Perfect your bake through:
- Maintaining proper proofing temperature (75-80°F for optimal rise, 85°F maximum to prevent over-proofing, 70°F minimum for active yeast), managing baking temperatures (350°F for even baking), monitoring internal temperature, and adjusting rack position as needed.
Dough Science
- Master gluten-free texture through:
- Understanding xanthan gum function, balancing liquid ratios, managing protein content, creating proper structure, and monitoring hydration levels.
Assembly Strategy
- Build perfect layers by:
- Creating uniform thickness, managing filling distribution, controlling butter temperature, stacking systematically, and planning pan placement.

Professional Finishing
- Achieve bakery quality through:
- Timing glaze application, creating visual appeal, managing cooling process, and planning serving strategy.
The art of perfect gluten-free bread lies in understanding how alternative flours and binders work together. Whether preparing for breakfast or special occasions, success comes from attention to detail and proper technique.
Remember, creating exceptional gluten-free bread isn't just about following steps - it's about developing an intuition for dough consistency, rise time, and baking behavior that ensures each loaf achieves that perfect texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make this dairy-free?
- Yes, use non-dairy milk and butter substitutes throughout the recipe.
- → Why does the flour need xanthan gum?
- It helps bind the dough and replaces the elasticity usually provided by gluten.
- → Can I make this ahead?
- Best served fresh, but can be frozen for up to a month.
- → Why isn't my dough rising?
- Ensure your yeast is fresh and the environment is warm enough for proper rising.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Keep in airtight container 2-3 days at room temperature.