Pull Apart Cinnamon Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup warm milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

2. Add warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until a dough forms.

3. Gradually add the remaining cup of flour, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

6. Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle.

7. Spread the softened butter evenly over the rolled dough. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.

8. Cut the dough into even squares and stack them on top of each other. Place the stack in a greased loaf pan.

9. Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.

10. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread is cooked through.

11. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the delight of pulling apart pieces of your freshly baked cinnamon bread.

For a fun twist, you can add a handful of raisins or chopped nuts to the sugar and cinnamon mixture before spreading it over the dough. If you have picky eaters at home, consider using a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar for a richer taste. For an extra indulgent version, drizzle with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk once the bread has cooled.