First things first, make sure your butter is softened. There’s nothing worse than trying to beat cold butter. I usually leave mine out on the counter for about half an hour.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This will set the stage for a lovely texture in your bread.

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. The egg will give the bread its structure, while the vanilla adds that irresistible aroma.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt (if you’re using unsalted butter).

Gradually add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf, and we want it to be light and fluffy!

In a small bowl, mix ⅓ cup of sugar with the ground cinnamon. This will be used to create those delicious swirls in the bread.

Pour half of the batter into a greased loaf pan. Then, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top and sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar over it. Use a knife to swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter gently.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell wafting through your house will be heavenly!

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up and enjoy a piece while it’s still warm. Trust me; it’s absolute bliss.