These delightful Sweet Cinnamon Twists are a perfect treat for any occasion. With their flaky, buttery texture and warm cinnamon flavor, they’re sure to become a favorite in your home. Easy to make and absolutely irresistible, these twists combine the simplicity of puff pastry with classic cinnamon sugar for a dessert that’s both elegant and comforting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, you can have these twists ready in no time.
- Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Both kids and adults love the sweet cinnamon flavor.
- Impressive Appearance: The twisted shape looks fancy despite being simple to create.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt with different flavors and toppings.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Puff pastry serves as the base for these twists, providing that irresistible flaky, buttery texture that makes them so delightful. Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly and saves significant time. You can find it in the freezer section of most grocery stores—just remember to thaw it according to package instructions before using.
Granulated sugar adds the perfect sweetness to these twists and helps create that wonderful caramelization as they bake. It also combines with the cinnamon to make that classic sweet spice mixture that coats each twist.
Ground cinnamon brings warm, aromatic flavor that’s the signature note in these twists. The quality of your cinnamon can make a difference—Ceylon cinnamon offers a subtler, more complex flavor, while cassia cinnamon (the most common variety) provides that bold, spicy flavor most people associate with cinnamon.
Butter helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere to the pastry and contributes additional richness. It also helps the twists develop a beautiful golden color during baking. Unsalted butter is preferable, but salted will work in a pinch.
Egg wash is optional but recommended if you want your twists to have that professional-looking shiny finish. It’s simply an egg beaten with a little water or milk and brushed on the pastry before baking.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to approximately 1/8 inch thickness.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter until just liquid.
- In a separate bowl, combine equal parts granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, mixing well.
- Using a pastry brush, apply the melted butter evenly across the surface of the puff pastry.
- Generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered pastry, covering the entire surface.
- With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch wide strips.
- Carefully twist each strip several times, then place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each twist.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the twists are puffed up and golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Calories: 150 kcal per serving
These sweet treats are perfect for serving at brunches, afternoon tea, or as an after-dinner dessert with coffee.
Variations
Chocolate Cinnamon Twists: Add mini chocolate chips or a light dusting of cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Nutty Twists: Sprinkle finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds) over the butter before adding the cinnamon-sugar.
Orange Cinnamon Twists: Add some orange zest to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a bright, citrusy note.
Cardamom Twists: Replace half the cinnamon with ground cardamom for a Swedish-inspired twist.
Maple Cinnamon Twists: Drizzle with maple glaze (powdered sugar mixed with maple syrup) after baking.
Savory Twists: Skip the sugar and cinnamon and instead use grated parmesan, herbs, and a sprinkle of salt for a savory appetizer version.
Storage/Reheating
Room Temperature Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The pastry will soften slightly but will still be delicious.
Refrigeration: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing Unbaked Twists: You can freeze the prepared twists before baking. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Baked Twists: Allow to cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Reheating: To restore crispness, place in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. You can also use a toaster oven for smaller batches.
FAQs
Can I make these twists ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the twists and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze them unbaked for longer storage. Alternatively, bake them ahead and reheat when ready to serve.
Why did my puff pastry not rise properly?
This could be due to the pastry not being cold enough when it went into the oven. Puff pastry needs to be cool when it hits the hot oven for proper rising. If your kitchen is warm or you’ve worked with the dough for a while, consider refrigerating the prepared twists for 15 minutes before baking.
Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry works wonderfully in this recipe. Just ensure it’s rolled to approximately 1/8 inch thickness for the best results.
My twists unraveled during baking. What went wrong?
This sometimes happens if the twists aren’t tight enough. Try twisting them more firmly and consider pressing the ends down slightly on the baking sheet to help them hold their shape.
Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes, brown sugar creates a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. It works beautifully with the cinnamon, though it may make the twists slightly darker when baked.
Is there a way to make these less sweet?
Simply reduce the amount of sugar in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can use as little as half the amount called for if you prefer a more subtle sweetness.
How do I know when the twists are done baking?
The twists should be visibly golden brown and feel firm to the touch. If you’re unsure, you can carefully lift one with a spatula – the bottom should also be golden brown.
Can I add a glaze to these twists?
Definitely! A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice would be delicious drizzled over the cooled twists.
What can I serve with cinnamon twists?
These twists pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re also great alongside fresh fruit for breakfast or brunch.
How can I prevent the sugar from burning?
If you notice the sugar burning before the pastry is fully cooked, your oven might be running hot. Try reducing the temperature by 25 degrees or placing the baking sheet on a higher rack, away from the heating element.
Conclusion
These Sweet Cinnamon Twists are more than just a treat – they’re a simple but impressive way to elevate any occasion. With their perfect balance of buttery, flaky pastry and warm cinnamon sweetness, they’re bound to disappear quickly whenever you serve them. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility – once you’ve mastered the basic technique, you can experiment with countless variations to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Whether enjoyed with morning coffee, served as an afternoon snack, or presented as a dessert, these twists bring warmth and comfort with every bite. Happy baking!
Print
Sweet Cinnamon Twists
A delicious, flaky, and sweet cinnamon pastry snack made with puff pastry, cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
- Puff pastry
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Butter
- Egg wash (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out puff pastry to 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- In another bowl, mix equal parts sugar and cinnamon.
- Brush melted butter onto the pastry, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously.
- Cut the dough into 1-inch strips, twist each strip, and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- Egg wash is optional but can give a shinier and golden finish to the twists.
- Serve warm for the best flavor, but they can also be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Universal
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 twist
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
