Nothing beats sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey cinnamon roll—but when you’re short on time, these Warm Cinnamon Crescent Twists bring that same cozy sweetness in a flash. With flaky crescent dough, a warm cinnamon-sugar swirl, and optional icing drizzle, these twists deliver all the flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert—or whenever a cinnamon craving strikes!
Why You’ll Fall in Love
- Ridiculously easy: No yeast or proofing—just unpack, fill, twist, and bake.
- Ready in minutes: These bake up in under 15 minutes, so there’s no waiting.
- Cinnamon-sugar bliss: That classic combo of warmth and sweetness in every bite.
- Totally customizable: Add icing, nuts, chocolate chips—or enjoy them plain.
- Perfect for any moment: Great for brunch, snack time, dessert, or cozy mornings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Crescent roll dough (store-bought sheet or tube, whatever you prefer)
- Butter (melted)
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Optional: powdered sugar, milk (or cream), and vanilla for icing
How to Make Them
- Preheat & prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. - Unroll the dough
Lay out the crescent dough sheet or triangles on a clean surface. - Butter & sugar mixture
Brush the dough with melted butter. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl, then sprinkle generously over the buttered dough. - Roll & twist
Roll each dough triangle from the wide end toward the point. Then gently twist the roll into a spiral or twist shape. Place them on the baking sheet—leave a bit of space between each. - Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the twists are golden brown and crisp. - Glaze (optional)
If you want icing, whisk powdered sugar with a splash of milk and a bit of vanilla. Drizzle over the warm twists once they’ve cooled slightly (so the glaze doesn’t melt off). - Serve & enjoy
These are best eaten warm. Grab one, enjoy the flaky texture and cinnamon swirl, and maybe a second too.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a steaming cup of coffee or spiced chai
- Serve alongside scrambled eggs or bacon for a sweet + savory brunch
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for dessert
- Sprinkle chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or extra cinnamon sugar on top
Tips & Ideas
- Go mini: Cut each dough triangle in half before rolling for bite-sized treats.
- Add texture: Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips before twisting.
- Swap dough: Use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough for an even flakier result.
- Make ahead: Assemble the twists, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake when ready.
- Reheat smart: Warm leftovers in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to crisp them back up.
- Spice it up: Mix a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or clove into the cinnamon-sugar for depth.
FAQ
- Can I use homemade dough?
Absolutely! Just roll it out to a similar shape and follow the same steps. - Can I freeze them?
Yes! Freeze unbaked twists on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. - What if I don’t want icing?
No problem—these are delicious even without it. The cinnamon-sugar alone is enough. - Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free crescent or puff pastry dough, and follow the same method.
Final Thought
These Warm Cinnamon Crescent Twists are the perfect blend of convenience and indulgence. With little effort, you get flaky pastry, sweet cinnamon-sugar bliss, and that “I need a second one” feeling. Whether it’s a cozy breakfast, quick dessert, or anytime treat—you’re going to love them.
Warm Cinnamon Crescent Twists
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 20–25 minutes
Author: Olivia
Ingredients
For the Twists:
- 1 (8-ounce) can Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 rolls)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened or melted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles.
- Make the cinnamon filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Spread filling evenly over each triangle of dough.
- Roll up each triangle from the wide end to the point. Gently twist each one to form a spiral shape.
- Place on baking sheet seam-side down, spacing them out evenly.
- Bake for 9–12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Make the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over slightly cooled twists (optional).
- Serve warm and enjoy!