Irresistible Cinnamon Breadsticks: Your New Favorite Sweet Treat

Imagine waking up to the inviting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon and brown sugar filling your home. These Homemade Cinnamon Breadsticks deliver exactly that experience and more. Crafted from a soft, buttery breadstick dough, generously swirled with a fragrant cinnamon and brown sugar filling, and shaped into delightful individual twists, they are an utterly irresistible sweet treat perfect for any time of day. Drizzled with a luscious homemade glaze and served warm, they promise a moment of pure bliss with every bite.

One of the many charms of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can easily prepare a larger batch, shape these delightful twists, and freeze half for later enjoyment. This means you’re always just a short bake away from a warm, comforting indulgence. If you’re a fan of cinnamon-infused baked goods, you might also enjoy exploring my Cinnamon Twist Bread or the decadent Nutella Twist Bread for more delightful variations.

The Ultimate Cinnamon Breadsticks Recipe

Prepare yourself for a sensory delight: these soft, chewy cinnamon breadstick twists will transform your kitchen into a haven of warm, cozy aromas. The sweet scent of cinnamon mingling with butter and sugar is simply intoxicating. It will be incredibly challenging to resist eating every single one straight from the oven, but should you find yourself with any leftovers, don’t worry – they freeze beautifully for future cravings. This makes them ideal for meal prepping breakfasts or having a quick dessert on hand.

The simplicity of this recipe is another major draw. It requires only very basic pantry ingredients, making it accessible even for novice bakers. The steps are straightforward and forgiving, guiding you to a perfect batch every time. Serve these delightful breadsticks with a steaming cup of coffee, a dollop of fruit preserves or jam, or even a rich chocolate sauce for an extra special dipping experience. They are versatile enough to be a breakfast star, a delightful brunch addition, or a comforting afternoon snack.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

• Effortlessly Easy to Make: Don’t let their impressive appearance fool you; these cinnamon breadsticks are surprisingly simple to prepare. Think of them as the quicker, less fussy cousin to traditional cinnamon rolls, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. The shaping process is super simple and yields a beautiful result every time.
• Endless Flavor Personalization: This versatile recipe serves as an excellent foundation for countless flavor experiments. Feel free to get creative! Incorporate citrus zest (orange or lemon), chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, dried berries, other fruits, or even chocolate chips for unique twists. The possibilities are truly boundless.
• Unbelievably Soft and Chewy Texture: Each bite promises a harmonious blend of softness and chewiness, perfectly complemented by a delightful sweetness. Their pillowy texture makes them ideal for dunking into a hot cup of coffee, rich hot chocolate, or a glass of cold milk. They’re comfort food at its finest.
• The Aroma Alone is Worth It: Beyond the taste, the process of baking these breadsticks fills your home with an unparalleled warm and inviting fragrance. It’s the kind of scent that makes everyone gather in the kitchen, eager for a taste.

Key Ingredients for Delicious Cinnamon Breadsticks

Crafting the perfect cinnamon breadstick starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why:

• Water: The temperature of your water is critical for activating the yeast. Aim for a range between 95-105 degrees F (35-40 degrees C). Water that’s too cold won’t activate the yeast, while water that’s too hot can kill it, preventing your dough from rising properly.
• Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar not only sweetens the dough but also provides food for the yeast, helping it to activate and proof effectively. For a slight variation in flavor, you can also substitute honey.
• Yeast: This recipe calls for active dry yeast. It’s essential to “proof” this type of yeast first by dissolving it in warm water with a bit of sugar. This step confirms the yeast is alive and active, ensuring your breadsticks will rise beautifully and have that characteristic fluffy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our dough, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure and elasticity. While other flours can be used, all-purpose is perfect for achieving the desired soft yet chewy breadstick texture.
• Brown Sugar: For the irresistible filling, brown sugar offers a deeper, more molasses-rich sweetness compared to white sugar. Both light and dark brown sugar will work wonderfully; dark brown sugar will yield a slightly more robust flavor.
• Cinnamon: The star spice of this recipe! Ground cinnamon provides its signature warm, aromatic notes. Feel free to enhance the spice blend with a pinch of other complementary baking spices such as nutmeg, ginger, or even a touch of cardamom for an added layer of complexity.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is used in two crucial places: within the bread dough for richness and tenderness, and in the homemade icing for a creamy, smooth finish. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the recipe.
• Powdered Sugar: The foundation of our dreamy glaze. Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) dissolves easily to create a smooth, lump-free icing. It’s always a good practice to sift your powdered sugar before mixing, as it tends to clump in storage, which can result in a grainy glaze.
• Avocado Oil: A tablespoon of avocado oil contributes to a tender dough and a delicate crumb. It also helps to keep the dough from sticking and improves its elasticity. Other neutral oils like vegetable or canola oil can be substituted.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor of the bread. It also helps regulate yeast activity, preventing the dough from over-proofing too quickly.
• Milk (for icing): A splash of milk helps achieve the perfect drizzly consistency for your homemade glaze. You can use any type of milk you prefer.
• Vanilla Extract (for icing): A touch of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the sweet glaze, complementing the cinnamon beautifully.

How to Make Perfect Cinnamon Bread Twists: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these delightful cinnamon bread twists is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect batch every time:

1. Activate the Yeast and Prepare the Dough: Begin by combining warm water (between 95-105°F), a small amount of sugar, and active dry yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let this mixture rest for about 5-10 minutes. You’ll know the yeast is active and healthy when it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating it’s ready to work its magic. Once proofed, add the avocado oil and salt. Gradually incorporate about half of the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed with a dough hook until well combined. Continue adding the remaining flour, about a quarter cup at a time, until the dough comes together and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. Be careful not to add too much flour, as this can result in dry, tough breadsticks.
2. Knead and First Rise: After all the flour is incorporated, continue mixing the dough on low speed for another 1-2 minutes to develop the gluten. The dough should be soft, pliable, and slightly tacky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. Allow the dough to rise until it has roughly doubled in size, which typically takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. This first rise is crucial for developing flavor and creating a light, airy texture.
3. Prepare the Filling and Shape the Twists: Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Lightly grease your hands and your work surface, then roll each piece of dough into an approximate 12” x 18” rectangle using a rolling pin. In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until you have a rich, fragrant paste. Evenly spread this cinnamon-sugar mixture over one of the rolled-out dough rectangles, ensuring it reaches almost to the edges. Carefully place the second dough rectangle directly on top of the first, aligning the edges as best as possible. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the stacked dough in half lengthwise, then cut it into approximately 1 ½-inch wide strips. Take each strip and gently twist it 2-3 times, creating a beautiful spiral. Arrange the twisted breadsticks on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
4. Second Rise and Bake: After shaping, let the twisted breadsticks rest on the baking sheet for another 15 minutes. This brief second rise helps them become even softer and fluffier when baked. While they are resting, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown on both the top and bottom. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time, as ovens can vary.

5. Prepare the Icing: While the breadsticks are baking and cooling slightly, prepare your delicious icing. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the room-temperature butter until it’s light and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until all the ingredients are fully combined and smooth. If the icing is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar until you reach your desired drizzly consistency.
6. Glaze and Serve: As soon as the breadsticks are removed from the oven, while they are still warm, generously drizzle the homemade icing over the top. The warmth of the breadsticks will slightly melt the icing, allowing it to beautifully coat every crevice. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, sweet, and comforting goodness!

Recipe Tips & Creative Variations for Your Cinnamon Breadsticks

Elevate your cinnamon breadstick experience with these helpful tips and imaginative variations:

• Enhance with Citrus Zest: For a bright, zesty contrast to the rich cinnamon, add a teaspoon or two of fresh orange zest or lemon zest to either the dough or the icing. If adding to the dough, mix the zest in with the dry ingredients first to prevent it from clumping.
• Crunchy Topping Additions: Introduce a delightful crunch by topping your glazed breadsticks with toasted sliced almonds, finely crushed hazelnuts, or even chopped pecans. Lightly toast the nuts beforehand to bring out their full flavor.
• Don’t Skip the Second Rise: The short resting period (second rise) before baking is crucial. It allows the dough to relax and puff up slightly, ensuring your cinnamon twists are incredibly soft, fluffy, and tender, rather than dense.
• Overnight Prep for Fresh Morning Treats: To get a significant head start, you can either prepare the dough through its first rise and refrigerate it overnight, or even better, shape the twists and arrange them on your baking sheet, then gently cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, simply pull them from the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before baking as directed. This allows for warm, fresh breadsticks with minimal morning effort.
• Add a Cream Cheese Glaze: For an even richer, tangier glaze, incorporate 2-4 ounces of softened cream cheese into your icing recipe. This will create a decadent cream cheese frosting that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cinnamon-sugar filling before adding the second layer of dough. The melting chocolate will create pockets of gooey goodness within the twists.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with adding a pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg, or a dash of allspice to your cinnamon-sugar filling for a more complex spice profile.
• Serving Suggestions: These breadsticks are fantastic on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with fresh fruit, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert-like experience.

Storage Instructions for Maximum Freshness

Proper storage ensures your delicious cinnamon breadsticks remain fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible:

• Room Temperature: Store completely cooled breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. While they are best enjoyed fresh, they remain wonderfully soft.
• Refrigerator: For extended freshness, transfer the breadsticks to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Once completely cooled, transfer the breadsticks to freezer-safe bags or containers. You can wrap individual breadsticks in plastic wrap before placing them in the bag to prevent freezer burn. Store frozen for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: To reheat, warm refrigerated or room-temperature breadsticks in a 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes until soft and warm, or briefly in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. If reheating from frozen, thaw first, then warm as above.

More Sweet Treats and Breakfast Inspirations

If you’re enchanted by the magic of these cinnamon breadsticks, you’ll surely love exploring these other delightful recipes from our kitchen. Each offers a unique twist on classic flavors, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet craving:

• Cinnamon Twists with Puff Pastry: For a quicker, flaky version of cinnamon twists.
• Cinnamon Twist Bread: A gorgeous loaf of swirled cinnamon bread.
• Nutella Twist Bread: Indulgent bread swirled with rich Nutella.
• Garlic Herb Twist Bread: A savory alternative for garlic bread lovers.

These cinnamon twists are easy to prepare, and so soft and fluffy. Top with a drizzle of homemade icing for a real treat!

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Whether you’re looking for a quick morning bite or a decadent treat, our collection of sweet breakfast recipes is here to inspire your next baking adventure!