Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.

Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and beat until well combined.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

If you want a swirl, pPour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the batter. Add the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer and top with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture. For a marbled effect, run a butter knife gently through the layers. Otherwise, you can just mix everything together.

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy with a cup of coffee or as a sweet treat anytime.