40 Sweet, Sugary Cinnamon Desserts

From soft and chewy cookies to crackly almond brittle, there’s something in this roundup of sweet cinnamon desserts for everyone to love.

These peanut butter cinnamon cookies are perfect for bake sales, potlucks or holiday gift baskets. Use fun cookie cutters for any occasion you are celebrating. The cookie glaze dries shiny, so they look professional. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Go to Recipe

Cashew Baklava

Mama’s Spice Cake

Whenever I get a craving for a tasty old-fashioned treat, I make this cake. Great cooks in my family have been baking it for generations, and their families have been enjoying the wonderful spice flavor and rich frosting.
—Nancy Duty, Jacksonville, Florida

Cinnamon Crackle Cookies

This recipe is the compilation of many years of baking. I make these cookies for a holiday bazaar and year-round for our family. They freeze well. —Vicki Lair, Albert Lea, Minnesota

Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Pie

Cinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York

Cinnamon Peanut Brittle

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake

My maternal grandmother preferred sewing and quilting to cooking and baking, but there were some things that she cooked and baked really well. She was the only person I knew who made snickerdoodles, simple but yummy cookies that I’ve always enjoyed. Since cheesecake is my very favorite dessert, I couldn’t resist coming up with one that re-creates those flavors. I think of my grandmother each time I make it! Sometimes I’ll drizzle the slices with maple syrup. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts? I combined them! This snickerdoodle-blondie hybrid proved even better with caramel, always a favorite ingredient. —Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts

Baklava Thumbprint Cookies

The topping on my sister-in-law’s peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe, then decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It’s a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware

Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cinnamon Frosting

My mom made this for me, and one bite can completely take me back to my childhood. You can easily convert it into a great carrot cake recipe: just use grated carrots in place of pumpkin and add raisins. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia

Mexican Tea Cookies

Mexican tea cookies are a holiday favorite in our family. I updated the recipe by frosting them with a buttercream made with dulce de leche. They are tender, crumbly cookies that everyone enjoys. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington

Honey Cinnamon Roll-Ups

This cinnamon treat reminds me of baklava, but with only a few easy ingredients, it’s a fraction of the work. It’s my aunt’s recipe, and I think of her when I make it. —Sue Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan

Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake

An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma

Maple Nut Coffee Cake

Every time I make this coffee cake for the holidays or church functions, the pan is emptied in a hurry. People rave about it. —Rosadene Herold, Lakeville, Indiana

Candied Pecans

I pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas

Vanilla & Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Latkes

Latkes are crispy fried pancakes, often made with potatoes. But this sweet version with apples, orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla falls in the dessert realm. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

Cinnamon Twirl Cookies

These rolled cookies are tasty and fun to make with your family. The sugary mixture of walnuts and cinnamon is a light, sweet filling that will leave everyone wanting another bite. —Phyllis Cappuccio, Malden, Massachusetts

Spiced Pumpkin Bars

These bars are moist, with bold pumpkin and spice flavors. When I want to lower the cholesterol, I use egg whites in place of the eggs.—Richard Case, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Bite-Sized Cinnamon Roll Cookies

If you love cinnamon rolls and spiced cookies, make a bite-sized version that combines the best of both worlds. These cinnamon roll cookies are genius! — Jasmine Sheth, New York, New York

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

It takes mere minutes for Leila Flavell of Bulyea, Saskatchewan to ad holiday flair to a no-bake cheesecake. She used canned pumpkin and spices to dress up the mix with thick, creamy results.

Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding

A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Cinnamon White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

I wanted to put a spin on the traditional chocolate chip cookie, and who doesn’t love cinnamon? Depending on what you use to drop your cookies, the serving quantity may change. —Cassie Colosimo, Reading, Pennsylvania

Honey Cinnamon Bars

My Aunt Ellie gave us the recipe for these sweet bar cookies with cinnamon and walnuts. Drizzle with icing, and serve with coffee or tea. —Diane Myers, Star, Idaho

Cinnamon-Sugar Crisps

For an old-fashioned sweet treat just like Grandma used to make, try this slow-cooker rice pudding. It has a rich cinnamon flavor and is made wonderfully light after whipped cream is stirred in at the end. —Jennifer Bennett, Salem, Indiana

Honey-Nut Swirls

Puff pastry creates a quick and easy “dough” for pretty pinwheel-type cookies featuring two types of nuts. The flaky treats are hard to resist.—Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars

I’m a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona

Cinnamon-Sugar Sweet Potato Pastries

We always have leftover mashed sweet potatoes after our Thanksgiving feast. I take what’s left to make an indulgent filling for sweet potato empanadas. Convenient crescent roll dough makes this recipe easy as pie. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire

Cinnamon Almond Brittle

It simply wouldn’t be Christmas at our house without this old-time favorite twist on peanut brittle. No one believes how easy it is to make! —Lynette Kleinschmidt, Litchfield, Minnesota

Cinnamon Crescents

I’ve had the recipe for these crispy cinnamon-sugar roll-ups for years. They’re one of my family’s favorites and so easy to make. We enjoy them at breakfast with a cup of coffee. —Emily Engel, Quill Lake, Saskatchewan

Cinnamon-Apple Brown Betty

If I had to define the “Betty” of Apple Brown Betty, she’d be a smart and thrifty Southern gal with a knack for creating simple, soul-comforting desserts. In this sweet dish, spiced apples are slow-cooked between layers of cinnamon-raisin bread cubes for a wonderful twist on the traditional oven-baked classic. —Heather Demeritte, Scottsdale, Arizona

Campfire Cinnamon Twists

Cinnamon rolls get the toasty treatment when wrapped around skewers and warmed over a fire. Brush with butter, then sprinkle with sugar and spice. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Craving a cinnamon roll but don’t have time to make one? Here find the best store-bought cinnamon rolls to satisfy your craving.

Cinnamon-Raisin Banana Bread Pudding

My family likes to change the toppings for this luscious dessert. We use berries, chopped nuts or fruit, ice cream, whipped cream or caramel topping. If I’m making the dessert for adults only, I love to add a little rum to the milk mixture to give the pudding extra flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Cinnamon Bun Cookies

I love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O’Connell, San Antonio, Texas

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

While cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan

Mexican Cinnamon Cookies

When it’s baking time, my family lobbies for these Mexican crinkle cookies. You can replace 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate with 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder plus 1 Tbsp. shortening, butter or oil.—Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri

Mexican Chocolate Sugar Crisps

My grandma loved these so much, she would hide them from my grandpa! I think of her every time I make a batch. Like Mexican spice? Try stirring in a little chili powder. —Michele Lovio, Thousand Oaks, California

Cinnamon Fruit Biscuits

Because these sweet treats are so easy, I’m almost embarrassed when people ask me for the recipe. They’re a snap to make with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, sugar, cinnamon and your favorite fruit preserves. —Ione Burham, Washington, Iowa

Cinnamon Brownies

For Christmas one year, a friend gave us a pan of these delicious brownies. Before I figured out their secret was cinnamon, half the pan was already gone! —Gail Mehle, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Cinnamon Pecan Bars

I’m a special education teacher and we bake these bars in my life skills class. It ‘s an easy recipe that my special-needs students have fun preparing. —Jennifer Peters, Adams Center, New York

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread

My family loves quick breads. This one is moist and spicy. If you don’t have mini loaf pans it works just as well in regular size pans. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping

Instead of a traditional pie, I like to surprise holiday guests with a silky cheesecake. Make it a day ahead and let it chill overnight. It’s one less thing you’ll have to make on the big day. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas

Apple Dumpling Bake

I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family’s tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

Sugar Cream Pie

I absolutely love Indiana sugar cream pie; especially the one that my grandma made for me. Here, we serve it warm or chilled and call it “Hoosier” sugar cream pie. —Laura Kipper, Westfield, Indiana

Cinnamon-Spiced Pumpkin Flan

I love pumpkin and decided to add it to a traditional recipe for flan. It’s an interesting change of pace from the usual holiday pie. —Alisha Rodrigues, Tetonia, Idaho

Pear Tart

My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California

These easy to make Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls are such a beautiful breakfast! No yeast or rising required, because the puff pastry makes these cinnamon rolls deliciously simple. A homemade glaze on top will awaken even the most sound of sleepers!

That’s right – no yeast, no kneading. Just roll, fill, slice, and bake. These cinnamon rolls are a breeze to make and will look stunning on any breakfast or brunch table.

Great for holiday breakfasts, sleepy sunday mornings, or as a late night dessert craving. Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls might just be your new favorite sweet treat!

How to Make Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls using puff pastry? Couldn’t be easier!

To Make the Cinnamon Roll Dough

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×9 baking dish.
Whisk together the sugars and cinnamon. Set aside.
Lightly flour your workstation or countertop. Using a rolling pin, roll out your puff pastry in a 12×16 inch rectangle.
Gently spread the softened butter all over the puff pastry. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over top, leaving one edge clean at the top. You can press the sugar into the pastry with the back of a spoon to get it to really stick.

Start at the shorter end and tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice the roll in half and then slice each half 3 times. You should have a total of 6 cinnamon rolls.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops of the rolls are a nice golden brown.

To Make the Glaze

While the cinnamon rolls are baking, we can move on to the glaze! Whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a small bowl.
Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes or so before drizzling the icing on top. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Ultimate Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls

Want to add a bit of crunch? Try topping the cinnamon rolls with chopped pecans or pistachios or adding sliced almonds to the filling!
Glaze too runny? Add more powdered sugar to thicken it up until it reaches your perfect consistency.
Add a touch of orange extract to the glaze or use orange juice in place of milk and some fresh orange zest over the rolls for a citrusy twist.
Swap the glaze for a cream cheese frosting for something even more indulgent! Warm up a tub of cream cheese icing for easy drizzling.

Storage

Storage: Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4-5 days.

Reheating: Pop in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to reheat.

Can these cinnamon rolls be made ahead of time?

They can! The glaze and the unsliced log can be made the day before and kept in the refrigerator. It’s a great option to make the night before so your morning is even easier.

Do you have to thaw the puff pastry dough before baking?

You do. The puff pastry dough (if bought frozen) should be thawed enough to easily handle. You still want it to be cool so not quite room temperature but no longer completely frozen.

Can you make puff pastry cinnamon rolls in a muffin tin?

Yes, you can! Cut the cinnamon roll long into 12 pieces instead of 6, and place the pieces into a well greased muffin tin.

Bake until golden brown and cooked through. The filling may run out of the bottom a bit, so don’t overcook the rolls. Otherwise, the filling burns and the rolls stick.

Can you freeze puff pastry cinnamon rolls?

Puff pastry cinnamon rolls freeze well both baked and unbaked!

To freeze baked rolls: Allow the rolls to cool completely then place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Freeze the rolls for 1 to 2 hours the place the frozen rolls into a airtight, freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. The rolls freeze better without the glaze.

Like This Recipe?

For the Cinnamon Rolls

light brown sugar
puff pastry dough

For the Glaze

3 to 4
pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 400°F, and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside.½ cup granulated sugar½ cup light brown sugar2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Lightly flour a countertop and use a rolling pin to roll out the puff pastry to a 12×16-inch rectangle.13 ½ ounces puff pastry dough
Carefully spread the butter over the puff pastry then sprinkle with the sugar mixture leaving an edge exposed at the top. Press the sugar gently into the puff pastry using the back of a spoon.
Starting at the shorter end, tightly roll the dough up into a log. Slice the roll in half then slice each half into 3 pieces and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

In the meantime, whisk the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together in a small bowl.2 cups powdered sugar3 to 4 tablespoons milk1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Let the cinnamon rolls cool for at least 10 minutes before drizzling the icing on top and serving.

*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 cinnamon roll. Actual calories will vary.

*Photos courtesy of Karla Rae Photography.

Easy puff pastry cinnamon swirls (cinnamon rolls) made with a handful of simple ingredients, including time-saving ready-rolled puff pastry!

Buttery, flaky pastry encasing a cinnamon sugar filling makes the perfect sweet treat for breakfast or after-school snack. Best of all they are ready in under 30 minutes!

These easy cinnamon rolls made with puff pastry are much easier and quicker to make than traditional cinnamon rolls which are typically made with yeasted dough.

Go and make them right now, you won’t be disappointed!

👩‍🍳 Don’t forget to try my easy mincemeat swirls too!

✔️ Why you’ll love this recipe!

Here’s why this is the best cinnamon swirl recipe!

Uses store-bought ready-rolled puff pastry to save time.
Made and baked in under 30 minutes.
A delicious snack or breakfast treat.
Freezer-friendly.

🛒 Ingredient notes

Puff Pastry – use a ready-rolled puff pastry sheet (jus rol or a supermarket own brand) to save time. Feel free to make your own puff pastry if you like (you’ll need to roll the pastry out with a rolling pin to a thickness of 2mm).
Butter – I like to use slightly salted butter that has been softened.
Cinnamon – use ground cinnamon and make sure it’s fresh and in date!
Sugar – a combination of light brown sugar and demerara sugar gives the best flavour and texture.
Egg – 1 small beaten egg for glazing the pastries.
Icing Sugar (powdered sugar) – mixed with a few drops of warm water to make an easy white drizzle icing.

🔪 How to make cinnamon swirls with puff pastry

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

One: Mix together the softened butter, cinnamon, and sugars in a bowl until you get a paste (it will take a few minutes). Unroll the puff pastry sheet (keeping it on the paper it came wrapped up in) and spread the cinnamon sugar evenly over the top of the pastry, leaving a 1cm gap on the bottom long edge of the pastry sheet. Brush the bottom edge with egg wash.

Two: Using the paper sheet that came with the ready-rolled puff pastry sheet to help you, tightly roll up the pastry on the long edge and press to seal.

Three: Using a sharp knife (or string), cut 2cm slices and place them cut side up on a baking sheet lined with non-stick parchment paper. Glaze the tops with the egg wash and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Four: Leave the swirls to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, before removing them to a wire rack. Mix the icing sugar with a little water to make a runny icing and use a spoon to drizzle it over the swirls.

💡 Top Tip – If the thickness of the icing is too runny, add more icing sugar and if your icing is too thick add more water (add a few drops at a time as the consistency changes quickly!).

💭 Expert tips

Make sure you seal the edge of the pastry roll before slicing, otherwise, your cinnamon swirls can lose their shape while baking. I gently press the pastry with my thumb, being careful not to misshape the swirl.
Take the puff pastry out of the fridge 10 minutes before unrolling. This will allow it to soften and not crack.
Don’t be tempted to add more cinnamon sugar to the pastry. The quantities in the recipe card are correct! Over-filling the pastry will mean you’ll get a lot of leakage once they are baked.
Make sure the butter is at room temperature and has been softened before mixing it with the cinnamon and sugars.
If you prefer a thicker white icing, use a piping bag to pipe it over the cinnamon swirls.

🍴 Serving suggestions

Serve the easy cinnamon swirls for breakfast or brunch with fresh fruit, yogurt, and other pastries such as cheese and bacon turnovers.

They also make a great after-school snack for kids with a glass of milk!

📖 Variations

Grate orange zest over the cinnamon sugar before rolling up the pastry.
Make apple and cinnamon puff pastry swirls by adding grated apple on top of the cinnamon sugar. Make sure you squeeze the excess water from the grated apple using a clean tea towel over the sink.
Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries.
Bake in your air fryer for extra crispy cinnamon swirls.
Serve them on Christmas morning for an easy festive breakfast.
Make a cream cheese filling by replacing the butter with full-fat cream cheese.

🥡 Storage

Make-Ahead: Mix up the cinnamon sugar the night before to save time in the morning.

Store: Place the baked cinnamon swirls in an airtight container and store them for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze the swirls unbaked or baked for up to 3 months. If freezing unbaked, there is no need to defrost them first before baking.

Reheat: Place the cinnamon swirls in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes to reheat. They can also be eaten at room temperature.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to make cinnamon swirls with puff pastry?

Puff pastry cinnamon swirls can be made and baked in under 30 minutes, which is significantly less time than the traditional cinnamon roll or cinnamon bun made with yeasted dough.

What is puff pastry?

Puff pastry, also known as pâte feuilletée, is a flaky buttery light pastry made from a laminated dough composed of dough and butter or other solid fat such as lard. The butter is put inside the dough (often it’s grated), and is repeatedly folded and rolled out before baking.

😋 More recipes using ready-rolled puff pastry