Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Twists: Your Ultimate Easy Puff Pastry Dessert
Prepare for a truly delightful experience with these **Cinnamon Sugar Twists**! This incredible recipe transforms simple puff pastry scraps—or a fresh sheet of dough—into an unbelievably delicious dessert with just three main ingredients. Forget complicated baking; these twists are your new go-to for a quick, impressive, and utterly satisfying sweet treat.
There’s an undeniable magic that occurs when the delicate, buttery layers of puff pastry meet the sweet warmth of cinnamon sugar. As these twists bake, the butter within the pastry melts, creating steam that puffs up each layer, while the sugar caramelizes into a glistening, crunchy coating. This intertwining of textures and flavors results in something far more than the sum of its parts – a treat that is crispy, flaky, sweet, and spiced, all at once. It’s a sensory experience that feels almost impossibly delicious, turning simple ingredients into a gourmet delight.
These Cinnamon Sugar Twists are not only incredibly tasty but also remarkably versatile, making them perfect for easy entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a casual get-together, or simply need a quick dessert for unexpected guests, these twists are a crowd-pleaser. The best part? You can even prepare them a day or two in advance, though be warned: their enticing aroma and irresistible flavor make them incredibly difficult to resist. You might find yourself “testing” a few (or more!) before your guests even arrive!
Consider yourself warned – once you start, it’s hard to stop!
The Genius of Puff Pastry Scraps (or a Whole Sheet!)
For those who frequently dabble in baking with puff pastry, you know the inevitable: scraps. Instead of letting those perfectly good pieces go to waste, this recipe offers a brilliant solution. I personally love to save my puff pastry trimmings from making more elaborate creations, such as classic puff pastry or inverse puff pastry, and then transform them into small, fresh batches of these twists whenever I accumulate enough dough. It’s a wonderfully thrifty and delicious way to ensure no flaky goodness is ever discarded.
However, you don’t need to be a seasoned pastry chef with a stash of scraps to enjoy these. This recipe works just as beautifully with a whole sheet of store-bought puff pastry. Simply unroll it, apply your cinnamon sugar, and proceed with the steps. This flexibility makes the Cinnamon Sugar Twists accessible to everyone, regardless of their baking experience or the contents of their fridge.
Simplicity at Its Finest: A Recipe So Easy It Feels Like Cheating
Honestly, these Cinnamon Sugar Twists are so incredibly easy to make that I almost feel a little guilty calling this a full “recipe.” It’s more of a brilliant technique that yields impressive results with minimal effort. You could even take a shortcut by using pre-made cinnamon sugar from the store, and simply follow your instincts! The beauty of this dessert lies in its forgiving nature, provided you adhere to a couple of fundamental principles.
The only real way to “mess them up” is to disregard what I affectionately call the **Cardinal Rules of Puff Pastry** or to be too conservative with the sugar. Puff pastry thrives on being kept cold; this is crucial for those distinct, airy layers. Working with cold dough ensures the butter doesn’t melt prematurely, preserving the structural integrity that gives puff pastry its signature flakiness. The other key is sugar. A generous coating of cinnamon sugar isn’t just for flavor; it’s essential for achieving that delightful caramelized crunch. Without enough sugar, you miss out on that beautiful golden-brown finish and the sweet, slightly sticky texture that makes these twists so addictive.
Unleash Your Inner Baker and Get Creative
So, arm yourself with this fantastically simple “recipe” and prepare to make some truly exceptional cinnamon sugar twists! These aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience waiting to happen. While puff pastry delivers the ultimate light and flaky texture, don’t shy away from experimentation. You could also use pie dough for a similar, though distinctly different, result. It won’t have the same ethereal flakiness as puff pastry, but the twists will still be wonderfully buttery and delicious in their own right. For those seeking to customize, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even some finely grated orange or lemon zest to your cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra layer of flavor complexity. A touch of cocoa powder could also transform them into chocolate-cinnamon delights! The possibilities are truly endless.
Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, these twists offer a rewarding and stress-free baking project. They’re perfect for involving children in the kitchen, as the twisting motion is simple and fun. Plus, the quick bake time means you’re never far from enjoying a warm, fresh-from-the-oven treat. These twists pair beautifully with a morning coffee, an afternoon tea, or as a light dessert after dinner. They also make thoughtful edible gifts, neatly packaged for friends and family.
Cinnamon Sugar Twists
Chef Lindsey
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
15
Twists
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Ingredients
-
345
g
Sugar
1 ½ cups -
12
g
Cinnamon
4 teaspoons -
300
g
Puff Pastry Scraps
My recipe for Classic Puff here
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Granulated Sugar
additional for rolling
Instructions
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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the twists inside to ensure even baking and proper puffing. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
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2. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 345g (1 ½ cups) of granulated sugar with 12g (4 teaspoons) of ground cinnamon until well combined. This is your main flavor powerhouse! Next, generously sprinkle a portion of this cinnamon sugar mixture directly onto a clean, dry countertop. Add an additional layer of plain granulated sugar on top of that. This creates a sweet, non-stick surface for rolling. Now, take your very cold puff pastry scraps (or a full sheet) and place them onto this sugar-coated surface. Begin to roll the dough, actively sprinkling more of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top as you work. The goal is to press and roll the sugar deeply into the dough, ensuring every inch is infused with flavor and ready for caramelization.
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3. Roll the Dough Thin: Roll the puff pastry dough out to an even thickness of about 1/8 inch (approximately 3mm). Work quickly and confidently during this step. The key to flaky puff pastry is keeping the butter within the dough as cold as possible. If the dough starts to feel too warm or sticky, pop it back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to chill before continuing. This helps maintain those distinct layers.
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4. Cut into Strips: Using a pizza cutter, a sharp knife, or even a pastry wheel, cut the rolled dough into ½-inch (about 1.25 cm) wide strips. Consistency in width will ensure they bake evenly. You can make them as long or short as you like, keeping in mind that longer strips will result in more twists.
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5. Create the Twists: Pick up one strip of dough. Starting at one end, begin to twist the strip gently but firmly, rotating it until a tight spiral or corkscrew shape is formed. This twisting action creates those beautiful, airy pockets and allows the cinnamon sugar to get into every crevice. Once twisted, carefully place it onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly press down both ends of the dough strip onto the parchment paper. This small but important step helps to prevent the twists from unraveling as they bake and expand in the oven.
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6. Repeat for Remaining Dough: Continue this process with all the remaining dough strips, arranging them on the baking sheet with a little space in between to allow for expansion during baking. Don’t overcrowd the sheet; bake in batches if necessary.
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7. Chill Thoroughly: Once all your twists are formed and arranged on the baking sheet, place the entire tray into the refrigerator. Chill for at least a half an hour, or until the dough is completely cold and firm to the touch. This chilling step is absolutely crucial. It ensures the butter in the puff pastry is solidified, which helps create those distinct, flaky layers when exposed to the hot oven, rather than melting out too quickly.
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8. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the chilled baking sheet to your preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during the final minutes. The twists are ready when they have puffed up beautifully, are a deep golden brown, and the cinnamon sugar coating has melted and caramelized into a glossy, crisp layer. This caramelization is what gives them their irresistible crunch and shine.
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9. Cool and Store: Allow the cinnamon sugar twists to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before attempting to handle or store them. They will crisp up further as they cool. Once completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To enjoy them as if they were freshly baked after a few days, you can refresh them in a warm oven (about 300°F / 150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This will bring back their delightful crispness and warmth.
Video
Nutrition
Calories:
201
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
33
g
|
Protein:
1
g
|
Fat:
8
g
|
Saturated Fat:
2
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
4
g
|
Sodium:
50
mg
|
Potassium:
16
mg
|
Fiber:
1
g
|
Sugar:
23
g
|
Vitamin A:
3
IU
|
Vitamin C:
1
mg
|
Calcium:
10
mg
|
Iron:
1
mg
Dessert
French
201
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Final Thoughts on Your Next Favorite Dessert
There’s something uniquely satisfying about creating a dessert that looks impressive, tastes divine, and yet requires minimal effort. These Cinnamon Sugar Twists hit all those marks perfectly. They embody the joy of simple baking, transforming humble ingredients into a spectacular treat. The flaky layers, the buttery richness, and the sweet, spiced crunch make every bite a moment of pure bliss. Whether you’re reclaiming leftover puff pastry or starting with a fresh sheet, this recipe is designed for success and maximum enjoyment.
Don’t let the simplicity fool you; these twists are capable of eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from anyone who tastes them. They’re proof that sometimes, the best desserts are the ones that are unpretentious and straightforward. So, go ahead and indulge your sweet tooth, surprise your loved ones, or simply treat yourself to these wonderful creations. They are more than just a recipe; they are a delightful invitation to savor the sweet moments in life, one perfectly twisted, cinnamon-sugar-coated bite at a time. Enjoy the process, and more importantly, enjoy the delicious results!