Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists: Easy & Delicious Recipe!

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists are more than just a quick treat; they are a delightful culinary shortcut to pure happiness, especially on a bustling morning or a lazy weekend. Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of warm cinnamon and buttery pastry wafting through your home, promising a moment of bliss with your coffee. While classic cinnamon rolls have a rich history rooted in European baking traditions, evolving from sweet, enriched doughs, these convenient twists offer all the beloved flavors and textures without the extensive proofing and kneading.

I absolutely adore how simple yet utterly decadent these twists are. People consistently fall in love with them for their perfect balance of a golden, flaky exterior and a tender, soft interior, generously swirled with a sweet, aromatic cinnamon-sugar filling. It’s that exquisite combination of convenience and indulgence that makes Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists an instant favorite. They are incredibly easy to prepare, transforming a simple can of crescent rolls into an impressive, bakery-quality treat in mere minutes. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute breakfast idea, a delightful brunch addition, or a comforting dessert, this recipe delivers on all fronts, promising smiles with every bite.

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Crescent Roll Twists:

  • Two (2) cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers Crescent Rolls for a richer texture, or classic crescent rolls for a lighter feel)
  • Six (6) tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • One-half (1/2) cup granulated sugar
  • Two (2) teaspoons ground cinnamon

• For the Vanilla Glaze:

  • One and one-half (1 1/2) cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted to ensure no lumps
  • Three (3) to four (4) tablespoons milk (whole milk or 2% works beautifully; for a richer glaze, you could use half-and-half)
  • One (1) teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I always recommend pure vanilla for the best flavor!)

Preparing Your Workspace and Oven for the Perfect Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists

Before we dive into creating these delightful Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists, it’s always a good idea to get our kitchen ready. This ensures a smooth, enjoyable baking experience and helps prevent any last-minute scrambling. Trust me, a little preparation goes a long way!

1. Preheat Your Oven: My first step is always to preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Ovens can take a little time to reach and stabilize at the correct temperature, so getting this done at the very beginning ensures it’s ready when our beautiful twists are prepared for baking. A properly preheated oven is crucial for even cooking and achieving that lovely golden-brown finish we all desire for our Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists.
2. Line Baking Sheets: Next, I grab two large baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Parchment paper is a true lifesaver for this recipe! It prevents sticking, makes cleanup incredibly easy, and helps the Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists bake evenly without the bottoms getting too dark. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease your baking sheets, but I highly recommend parchment for the best results.
3. Gather Your Tools: Take a moment to gather all the necessary tools. You’ll need a small mixing bowl for the cinnamon filling, a fork or a small whisk, a sharp knife or pizza cutter for slicing the dough, a rolling pin (though it’s not strictly necessary, it can be helpful for gently evening out the dough), and another small bowl for the glaze, along with a whisk. Having everything within arm’s reach makes the process so much more enjoyable.
4. Soften the Butter: Ensure your six tablespoons of unsalted butter are at a good room temperature. This means it should be soft enough to easily indent with your finger but not melted or greasy. Softened butter is key to creating a smooth, spreadable cinnamon filling that will adhere beautifully to our crescent roll dough. If your butter is too cold, it will be lumpy and difficult to mix and spread evenly. If it’s too warm, it might cause the filling to seep out during baking. A good trick if your butter is too cold is to cut it into smaller pieces and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or you can even microwave it on a very low power setting for just 5-10 seconds, being extremely careful not to melt it.

Crafting the Irresistible Cinnamon Filling for Your Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists

The cinnamon filling is truly the heart and soul of our Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists. It’s where all that delicious flavor comes from, creating those wonderfully aromatic and sweet layers. This step is super simple, but getting the consistency right is important for a perfect bake!

5. Combine Butter, Sugar, and Cinnamon: In your small mixing bowl, combine the six tablespoons of softened unsalted butter with the one-half cup of granulated sugar and the two teaspoons of ground cinnamon. I love how the aroma of cinnamon immediately fills the air when you add it – it’s already starting to smell like a cozy bakery in here!
6. Mix Until Smooth and Creamy: Using a fork or a small whisk, mix these ingredients together thoroughly. You’re aiming for a smooth, creamy, and spreadable paste. It should be consistent in color, with no streaks of plain butter or clumps of sugar. Take your time to really incorporate everything. The texture should resemble a thick paste, almost like a frosting, that can be easily spread. If your butter was perfectly softened, this step will be a breeze, yielding a beautifully uniform cinnamon mixture ready to flavor our Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists. This careful mixing ensures that every bite of our finished twists will have that delightful burst of cinnamon sweetness.

Transforming Crescent Roll Dough into Delightful Twists

This is where the magic really happens – taking simple refrigerated crescent roll dough and turning it into something truly special. Working with crescent roll dough is quite forgiving, so don’t worry if it’s not absolutely perfect on your first try!

7. Unroll the First Can of Dough: Carefully open one can of refrigerated crescent roll dough. Gently unroll it onto a clean, lightly floured surface or a large piece of parchment paper. The dough usually comes in a rectangular sheet with perforations. We want to keep it as one large rectangle for now. If there are any perforations that are starting to separate, gently pinch them together to form a solid sheet of dough. You can use a rolling pin to very gently roll it out just a tiny bit, ensuring it’s an even thickness and smoothing out any seams, aiming for a rectangle that’s roughly 8×12 inches, though slight variations are perfectly fine. The goal is a relatively uniform surface for our filling.
8. Spread the Cinnamon Filling Evenly: Now, take half of your prepared cinnamon filling and generously spread it over the entire surface of the unrolled crescent roll dough. I like to use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon for this. The key here is to spread it as evenly as possible from edge to edge. Don’t be shy, but also don’t glob it all in one spot. A consistent layer of filling ensures that every single twist will have that wonderful cinnamon-sugar flavor baked into it. Pay particular attention to getting it right to the edges, as these will form the outer layers of our twists. This even distribution is crucial for achieving that signature taste and texture in every single one of your Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists.
9. Place the Second Dough Layer: Carefully unroll the second can of crescent roll dough, just as you did with the first. Now, gently lay this second sheet of dough directly on top of the cinnamon-coated first sheet. Align the edges as best as you can. Once it’s placed, very gently press down across the entire surface with your hands or lightly with a rolling pin. This helps to seal the two layers of dough together and ensures that the cinnamon filling is nicely nestled in between. The gentle pressure also helps to eliminate any air pockets that might be trapped, which could otherwise cause uneven baking.
10. Cut into Strips: With the two dough layers firmly pressed together and the cinnamon filling sandwiched in between, it’s time to cut our dough into strips. Using a sharp knife or, even better, a pizza cutter (which makes this step incredibly quick and easy!), cut the large rectangle of dough lengthwise into approximately 12 even strips. Each strip should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Try your best to keep the strips as uniform as possible, as this will help ensure your Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists bake at the same rate and look beautifully consistent. I find a ruler helpful if you’re a perfectionist, but eyeballing it works perfectly well too!
11. Twist Each Strip: This is the fun part! Pick up one dough strip by both ends. Hold one end steady and gently twist the other end several times, rotating it until you’ve formed a spiral. Aim for about 3-5 full twists per strip. The dough is quite pliable, so it will hold its shape beautifully. As you twist, the cinnamon filling will become visible, creating a lovely striped effect. You can twist them a little loosely for a puffier twist, or a bit tighter for a more defined spiral. Experiment with a couple to see what you prefer! Lay each twisted strip onto your prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about an inch or two of space between each twist. This allows for even air circulation during baking and prevents them from sticking together as they expand. Continue until all 12 strips are twisted and arranged on the baking sheets. These beautiful raw forms are already starting to look like the delicious Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists we’re aiming for!

Baking Your Golden Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists to Perfection

The aroma that fills your kitchen during this stage is absolutely heavenly! This is where our Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists transform from simple dough into golden, flaky, cinnamon-infused delights.

12. Bake Until Golden Brown: Carefully transfer your baking sheets into your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for approximately 10 to 14 minutes. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them, especially during the last few minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color on the Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists, and you’ll notice the cinnamon filling bubbling slightly. They should look puffy and feel slightly firm to the touch. The goal is to bake them through without letting them get too dark. If you notice one tray browning faster than the other, you can rotate them halfway through the baking process for even coloration.
13. Cool Slightly on Baking Sheets: Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This brief cooling period allows them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle without breaking. The residual heat from the baking sheet also continues to cook them ever so slightly, perfecting their texture. After 5 minutes, you can gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, or if you’re like me and can’t wait, you can glaze them while they’re still slightly warm for a truly decadent experience!

Whipping Up the Sweet Vanilla Glaze for Your Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists

No batch of Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists is complete without a luscious, sweet vanilla glaze. This glaze adds a wonderful counterpoint to the warm cinnamon, making each bite an absolute treat. It’s incredibly simple to make, but getting the right consistency is key!

14. Sift Powdered Sugar: In a medium mixing bowl, measure out your one and one-half cups of powdered sugar. I highly recommend sifting the powdered sugar before adding other ingredients. This simple step breaks up any clumps that might have formed and ensures your glaze will be wonderfully smooth and lump-free. A fine-mesh sieve or a sifter works perfectly for this. If you skip this step, you might end up with little pockets of unmixed sugar in your glaze, which isn’t ideal.
15. Add Milk and Vanilla: To the sifted powdered sugar, add the one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Then, begin adding the milk, starting with three tablespoons. I always recommend starting with less liquid than you think you’ll need, as you can always add more but can’t easily take it away!
16. Whisk Until Smooth and Desired Consistency: Using a whisk, stir all the ingredients together until they are completely smooth and free of any lumps. You’re aiming for a glaze that is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle beautifully. If your glaze is too thick (it will look pasty and won’t drizzle easily), add the remaining tablespoon of milk, or even just a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If, by chance, it becomes too thin, you can add a little more sifted powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it thickens up. The perfect glaze for Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists will be glossy, opaque, and flow smoothly off the whisk. The sweet vanilla aroma will be absolutely captivating at this stage!

The Grand Finale: Glazing and Serving Your Irresistible Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists

The moment of truth! This final step brings everything together, transforming our delicious baked goods into truly irresistible treats ready to be devoured. This is where the visual appeal and an extra layer of sweetness are added, making these Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists absolutely perfect.

17. Glaze the Warm Twists: Now for the best part! With your Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists still slightly warm (or cooled, if you prefer, but I find warm twists absorb the glaze just beautifully), it’s time to apply that delightful vanilla glaze. You have a couple of options here, depending on how you like your glaze distribution:
    • Drizzling Method: If you prefer a lighter glaze, or just want a neat appearance, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze generously over each Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twist. You can go back and forth across the rack, ensuring each twist gets a good coating. The warmth of the twists will help the glaze melt slightly and adhere perfectly, creating a beautiful sheen.
    • Dipping Method: For a more substantial coating, carefully pick up each Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twist and gently dip one side into the bowl of glaze. Let any excess drip off back into the bowl before returning the glazed twist to the wire rack. This method ensures a thick, sweet layer of glaze on every twist, which is my personal favorite! You could even use a pastry brush to apply the glaze if you want maximum control.

    Regardless of your method, watch as the glaze beautifully coats the golden-brown spirals, creating an enticing finish that is impossible to resist. The combination of warm cinnamon and cool, sweet glaze is truly magical.

18. Allow Glaze to Set (Optional but Recommended): If you have the patience, allow the glazed Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists to sit on the wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the glaze a chance to slightly firm up and set, making them less messy to handle. However, if you’re anything like me, the temptation to dig in immediately after glazing is incredibly strong – and perfectly acceptable! There’s something undeniably satisfying about that first bite of a warm, gooey Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twist fresh from the glazing station.
19. Serve and Enjoy: These Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists are absolutely best served warm, ideally within an hour or two of baking. The dough is tender, the filling is aromatic, and the glaze is perfectly sweet. They make an incredible breakfast treat, a delightful afternoon snack, or a quick dessert. Arrange them artfully on a serving platter to truly impress your family and friends. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate comfort experience.
20. Storage Tips: If, by some miracle, you have any leftover Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists (which rarely happens in my household!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. While they are best fresh, a quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds can bring them back to a wonderfully warm and soft state, making them almost as good as fresh out of the oven. Just be mindful that the glaze might get a little sticky after reheating.

Conclusion:

Well, my friends, we’ve reached the sweet end of our journey through this wonderfully simple yet incredibly satisfying recipe. I truly hope you’re feeling inspired, because what we’ve just discussed isn’t just another recipe; it’s a gateway to moments of pure, unadulterated joy. From the moment you unroll those flaky crescent dough sheets to the final dusting of powdered sugar, every step in creating these delightful treats is infused with a sense of ease and anticipation. This recipe delivers on all fronts: it’s astonishingly quick to prepare, requires only a handful of common ingredients you likely already have on hand, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Imagine biting into a warm, golden-brown twist, crisp on the outside, tender and buttery within, bursting with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar swirl. It’s a sensory experience that brightens any morning, elevates any gathering, and quite frankly, makes any moment feel a little more special. Trust me when I say, once you try these, you’ll understand why they’re destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire. They truly represent the perfect blend of minimal effort and maximum flavor reward.

Making Memories with Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists

The beauty of these homemade delights extends far beyond their delicious taste. They are, in essence, an invitation to create memories. Whether it’s a leisurely Sunday breakfast with the family, a quick and comforting snack after school, or a charming addition to a festive brunch, these Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists fit every occasion perfectly. Serve them fresh from the oven, still warm and slightly gooey, alongside a steaming mug of coffee or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate morning indulgence. For a more sophisticated touch at your next brunch spread, arrange them artfully on a platter with fresh berries and a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side. They’re also absolutely divine as a simple dessert after dinner, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting ever so slightly into their warm crevices, creating a symphony of textures and temperatures that will leave everyone asking for more. They’re equally fantastic packed in a lunchbox for a sweet surprise or shared with neighbors as a thoughtful, homemade gesture. The versatility is truly endless, making them a go-to treat you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

Elevate Your Twists: Creative Serving and Flavor Adventures

But why stop at perfection when you can customize it to your heart’s content? While the classic cinnamon-sugar combination is undeniably wonderful, I encourage you to experiment and make these twists truly your own. For an extra layer of decadence, whip up a quick cream cheese glaze to drizzle generously over the warm twists – the tangy sweetness beautifully complements the cinnamon. A simple lemon glaze can add a bright, zesty contrast, or a rich maple glaze can introduce a wonderful autumnal depth. Don’t be shy about playing with spices either; a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom alongside the cinnamon can introduce new aromatic dimensions. For those who love a bit of texture, consider folding in a handful of mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or even a few dried cranberries into the cinnamon-sugar mixture before twisting. You could even get creative with the shape, perhaps braiding the dough for a more intricate look or cutting them into smaller pinwheels for bite-sized delights. These variations are not just additions; they are opportunities to express your culinary creativity and tailor the experience to your personal preferences or the specific occasion. Imagine a batch with finely chopped apples and a touch of apple pie spice for a seasonal treat, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a tropical twist. The base recipe is so forgiving and adaptable, it practically begs for your unique interpretation.

Your Kitchen Awaits: Share Your Sweet Success!

Now that you’re armed with all the knowledge and inspiration you need, it’s time to preheat that oven! I truly believe that trying new recipes, especially ones this approachable and rewarding, is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Don’t hesitate; gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and prepare to be amazed by how easily you can create something so incredibly delicious. I am so excited for you to experience the warmth, the aroma, and the sheer delight of pulling your very own batch of these incredible cinnamon twists from the oven. I can practically smell the cinnamon from here! Once you’ve made them, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience. Did you stick to the classic? Did you try a new glaze or a fun add-in? Please share your triumphs, your variations, and even your funny kitchen anecdotes in the comments below or on social media. Your feedback and creativity inspire not only me but also our entire community of fellow food lovers. Happy baking, and get ready to enjoy some seriously sensational Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists!