Somewhere between a French viennoiserie and a Southern-style cinnamon roll, these Cinnamon Crescent Twists bring the best of both worlds to your kitchen—flaky, buttery layers kissed with warm spice.
Inspired by European laminated pastries and the comforting flavors of home-baked cinnamon bread, this recipe offers a shortcut to bakery-level indulgence with an effortless technique. The secret? A simple twist—literally. Instead of rolling crescents the classic way, we slice, twist, and bake, allowing the cinnamon-sugar filling to caramelize in delicate layers.
The result? Golden-brown, crisp-edged pastries with a soft, pull-apart center that’s begging for a drizzle of icing (or a dip into your morning coffee). Chef’s Tip: For an extra layer of flavor, try swapping traditional cinnamon sugar for a cardamom and brown sugar blend, inspired by Scandinavian baking traditions.
And the taste? Buttery, flaky, with just the right amount of spice—every bite melts in your mouth, leaving behind a whisper of caramelized sugar and cinnamon warmth. Try them once, and they’ll become your go-to for easy, bakery-worthy indulgence. Would you like a variation that adds a unique glaze or filling?
Why You’ll Be Hooked?
- They hit the perfect balance of crisp and soft. The twisted layers create crunchy golden ridges while keeping the center pillowy and tender—kind of like a croissant met a churro and became best friends.
- They’re dangerously easy to make. With store-bought crescent dough, you can go from craving to cinnamon-spiced bliss in under 30 minutes—ideal for last-minute brunch plans or a late-night sweet fix.
- They’re a blank canvas for creativity. Add a touch of orange zest for a Mediterranean vibe, swap in maple sugar for a cozy autumn twist, or drizzle with honey and pistachios for a Middle Eastern flair.
- They make your kitchen smell like a bakery. Seriously, the warm cinnamon-sugar aroma is enough to make neighbors knock on your door.
Cinnamon Crescent Twists Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Pastry brush
- Small mixing bowl
- Knife or pizza cutter
Ingredients
- 1 can of crescent rolls
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Unroll the crescent dough and arrange it as four rectangles on a greased cookie sheet, pressing the seams together to form solid rectangles.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon, then set aside.
- Brush melted butter onto two of the rectangles and sprinkle a little less than half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
- Place the two unbuttered rectangles over the buttered ones and press the edges together to seal.
- Cut both stacked rectangles into six strips, brush with any remaining melted butter, twist each strip a few times, and arrange them on the cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.
Notes
- For extra richness, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze after baking.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg for a slightly deeper spice flavor.
- Use puff pastry instead of crescent dough for an even flakier texture.
| Nutrition | Value |
| Calories | 99kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 9g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 7g |
