Twisted layers of buttery dough, cinnamon and brown sugar come together in crescent roll cinnamon twists, a delightful treat that's easy to make—and delicious to eat.
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists
There’s something so comforting about the warm, aromatic scent of cinnamon filling your kitchen, and these crescent roll cinnamon twists are just the thing to make any morning special. You don’t even need to wrestle with homemade pastry dough to make them, as this recipe relies on the convenience of refrigerated crescent rolls. The buttery, flaky crescents are twisted with a sweet, spiced filling and topped with a luscious almond-kissed glaze. Add just a few other ingredients—many of which you probably already have on hand—and you’ll know how to make cinnamon twists with crescent rolls, a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch or even an afternoon snack.
Ingredients for Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists
- Refrigerated crescent rolls: The crescent rolls serve as the flaky, buttery base of the twists, providing a light and tender texture.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements the cinnamon and butter, creating a rich, caramelized filling. Make sure the brown sugar is softened before measuring.
- Butter: The softened butter ensures the filling is smooth and spreadable while adding a rich flavor that enhances the overall taste of the twists. More butter also adds richness to the glaze.
- Ground cinnamon: Ground cinnamon infuses the twists with a warm, aromatic spice that pairs perfectly with the sweet and buttery filling.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar creates a smooth, sweet glaze that lightly coats the twists, adding a touch of sweetness and a delicate texture.
- Hot water: The hot water thins the glaze to the perfect consistency for easy brushing over the twists, ensuring even coverage.
- Almond extract: A small amount of almond extract imparts a subtle, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the glaze and complements the cinnamon filling.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the dough
Separate the crescent roll dough into four rectangles, pressing the seams together to seal.
Step 2: Make the filling
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, softened butter and ground cinnamon until they’re well mixed. Spread this mixture evenly over two of the dough rectangles.
Step 3: Form the twists
Place the remaining two rectangles on top of the filled rectangles to form a sandwich. Starting from a long side, cut each rectangle into eight strips. Twist each strip several times, then press the ends together to seal.
Step 4: Bake the twists
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the twisted strips on greased baking sheets, spaced apart enough to allow for expansion during baking. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes or until the twists are golden brown. Immediately transfer the baked twists to a wire rack to cool slightly.
Step 5: Make the glaze
While the twists are still warm, prepare the glaze by combining the confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, hot water and almond extract in a small bowl, then mix until smooth. Brush the glaze over the warm twists.
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twist Variations
- Add toasted nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds over the cinnamon-sugar filling before twisting the dough, for added crunch and flavor. For the best flavor, toast the nuts first.
- Use flavored extracts: Replace the almond extract in the glaze with vanilla, maple or orange extract to give the glaze a different flavor profile.
- Make it fruity: Spread a thin layer of fruit preserves, such as raspberry or apricot, over the cinnamon-sugar filling before adding the top layer of dough, for a fruity twist.
- Add chocolate: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate over the cinnamon-sugar filling for a chocolaty version.
- Try a different spice: Swap out the ground cinnamon for ground cardamom or pumpkin pie spice for a different twist.
How to Store Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists
To store cinnamon crescent twists, let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to three days.
Can you freeze crescent roll cinnamon twists?
For longer storage, you can freeze the twists for up to two months. Thaw them at room temperature before enjoying them again.
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twist Tips
What other dishes pair well with crescent roll cinnamon twists?
Consider serving these with a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of yogurt topped with honey and granola for a light and sweet breakfast. To add a savory component, try them alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon.
Can I prepare Pillsbury crescent roll cinnamon twists ahead of time and bake them later?
Yes. To do so, assemble the twists as directed, then place them on a baking sheet and cover them tightly with plastic wrap. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove them from the fridge, let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes, then bake as instructed.
Can I use homemade dough instead of refrigerated crescent rolls?
You can use homemade dough instead of refrigerated crescent rolls. A homemade puff pastry or a simple yeasted dough would work well for this recipe. Just make sure to roll the dough out to a similar thickness as the crescent rolls, then follow the same instructions for assembling, twisting and baking. The texture might be slightly different, but they will still be delicious.
Cinnamon Crescent Twists
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Yield
16 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- GLAZE:
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1-1/2 teaspoons hot water
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
- Unroll dough into 4 rectangles; press seams to seal. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon; spread over 2 rectangles. Top with remaining 2 rectangles. Starting from a long side, cut each rectangle into 8 strips. Twist each strip several times; seal the ends together.
- Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Immediately remove to wire racks. Combine the glaze ingredients; brush over warm twists.
Nutrition Facts
1 twist: 96 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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This is a true "twist" on an old favorite: refrigerated crescent rolls. You'll love how tasty they are and how fast they come together. —Ruth Vineyard, Plano, Texas
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