Cinnamon. You think you know it. You think you’ve tasted it all. But have you really? Sure, you’ve probably devoured a cinnamon roll or two (or ten).
But what about the cinnamon-infused creations lurking just beyond the well-worn baking path?
We’re about to unlock the secrets of 9 beloved cinnamon bakes and then, the real fun begins! Prepare to be amazed by 9 hidden gems that will redefine your cinnamon expectations.
1. Classic Cinnamon Rolls
Nothing beats the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls baking on a lazy Sunday morning. Soft, pillowy dough swirled with brown sugar and cinnamon, then crowned with cream cheese frosting.
These beloved treats have been bringing families together around breakfast tables for generations. Eat them warm for the full gooey experience!
2. Snickerdoodle Cookies
Crisp edges with soft, chewy centers make snickerdoodles irresistible. These sugar cookies rolled in cinnamon-sugar create a simple yet perfect treat.
The distinctive crackly top forms as they bake, revealing the tender interior. The name might sound funny, but the taste is seriously delicious!
3. Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Bursting with chunks of tender apple and topped with cinnamon streusel, these muffins make mornings worth getting up for. The fruit keeps them moist for days.
Great for grab-and-go breakfasts or afternoon snacks with tea. The combination of sweet apples and warm cinnamon creates an aroma that fills your kitchen with comfort.
4. Cinnamon Toast
Sometimes the simplest treats are the most satisfying. Buttery bread toasted golden, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar that melts slightly into the warm surface.
This childhood favorite takes just minutes to make. The contrast between the crunchy toast and the sweet, spicy topping creates breakfast perfection in its most basic form.
5. Churros
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside – churros bring carnival fun to your kitchen. These fried dough treats get rolled in cinnamon sugar while still hot.
Originally from Spain but beloved worldwide, they’re typically served with chocolate dipping sauce. The ridged shape created by star-tipped piping bags helps capture extra cinnamon-sugar goodness.
6. Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
The perfect excuse to eat cake for breakfast! Layers of moist vanilla cake alternate with ribbons of cinnamon sugar, all topped with buttery streusel crumbs.
Coffee cake earned its name as the ideal companion to your morning cup. Some versions include nuts or fruit, but the cinnamon streusel topping is what makes this treat truly special.
7. Apple Pie With Cinnamon
An American classic that’s truly timeless. Flaky pastry cradles tender apple slices generously spiced with cinnamon and sugar.
The secret to great apple pie lies in balancing tart apples with sweet filling. When baked, the cinnamon-apple mixture creates a bubbly, aromatic filling that smells like holidays and tastes like home.
8. Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Fluffy fried rings of dough take a bath in melted butter, then get coated in cinnamon sugar. The contrast between the crisp exterior and soft interior makes them irresistible.
Whether cake-style or yeast-raised, these donuts bring coffee shop luxury home. Apple cider donuts are a popular autumn variation that amps up the cinnamon flavor even more.
9. Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Swirls of cinnamon dance through this slightly sweet bread, with plump raisins adding bursts of natural sweetness. Toasted and buttered, it transforms into breakfast heaven.
Making this bread fills your home with an intoxicating aroma. The spiral pattern created when sliced reveals the beautiful cinnamon swirls that make this bread both pretty and delicious.
10. Kanelbullar (Swedish Cinnamon Buns)
These knotted beauties offer a sophisticated twist on American cinnamon rolls. Swedish buns feature cardamom in the dough and pearl sugar on top instead of frosting.
The unique folding technique creates beautiful knots with exposed layers of filling. Less sweet than their American cousins, kanelbullar let the aromatic cinnamon shine through without being overwhelmed by sugar.
11. Kouign-Amann with Cinnamon
Hailing from Brittany, France, this pastry might be hard to pronounce but it’s easy to love. Layers of buttery, flaky dough get folded with cinnamon and sugar, creating a caramelized exterior.
The name means “butter cake” in Breton. When baked, the sugar caramelizes while the many layers stay distinct, creating a crunchy-yet-tender texture that’s absolutely addictive.
12. Morning Buns
The sophisticated cousin of cinnamon rolls uses croissant dough for extra flakiness. Rolled with orange zest, cinnamon, and sugar, then baked in muffin tins.
Popular in San Francisco bakeries, these treats have a citrusy brightness that sets them apart. The croissant dough creates hundreds of buttery layers that shatter delicately when you take a bite.
13. Rugelach With Cinnamon Filling
These Jewish pastries feature cream cheese dough wrapped around cinnamon-walnut filling. The crescent shape makes them instantly recognizable at bakeries.
Rugelach dough has a tangy note from cream cheese that balances the sweet filling. While traditional versions use nuts and raisins, the cinnamon-only variation lets the spice take center stage.
14. Cinnamon Palmiers
Called “elephant ears” for their distinctive shape, these French cookies are surprisingly simple to make. Puff pastry gets folded with cinnamon sugar, then sliced and baked until caramelized.
The result? Crispy, flaky cookies with beautiful layers. As they bake, the sugar creates a crunchy, almost candy-like exterior.
15. Cinnamon Babka
This Eastern European yeast bread features twisted layers of dough and cinnamon filling. The striking marbled pattern makes each slice a work of art.
While chocolate babka gets more attention, cinnamon versions offer a warmly spiced alternative. The twisting technique creates beautiful swirls throughout the loaf.
16. Speculoos (Speculaas) Cookies
These crisp, embossed cookies from Belgium and the Netherlands feature cinnamon as the star in a blend of warming spices. Traditionally made using wooden molds with intricate designs.
The dough is pressed into molds before baking, creating beautiful patterns. While they’re holiday traditions in Europe, the cookie butter made from these treats has made them world-famous year-round.
17. Cinnamon Roll Cake
All the flavor of cinnamon rolls in half the work! This genius creation layers cake batter with swirls of cinnamon filling, then gets topped with glaze.
Ideal for feeding a crowd without rolling individual buns. The cake develops a slightly crisp top while staying wonderfully moist inside.
18. Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
A Tex-Mex inspired dessert that pairs flaky crescent dough with creamy cheesecake filling. The top gets brushed with butter and sprinkled generously with cinnamon sugar.
When baked, the dough puffs slightly like sopapillas. These bars offer the perfect balance between rich cheesecake and warm cinnamon.