Have you ever been walking through the mall and dared to walk by Cinnabon? For me, the pungent scent of cinnamon wafting through the air is simply irresistible. If you can ever make it past their delicious cinnamon rolls, you may notice that they have light and crispy Cinnabon Cinnamon Stix. The Cinnabon sticks are a light, flakey, and kissed with the delightful flavors of cinnamon and sugar. These make a perfect breakfast, sweet snack, or even a dessert.
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What Makes Cinnabon’s Cinnasticks So Good?
For kids growing up during the 80s, getting dropped off at the local mall to hang out with friends was a popular way to spend a Saturday. For those mall rats, the Food Court was one of the prime hangout zones. It had every food a teen could want: pizza, fries, and, of course, gooey cinnamon rolls.
Back then, we thought nothing of scoffing down an entire Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll, but we know it’s probably not the best idea these days. But you can relive your past with this Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks recipe. They have the same taste and incredible smell you remember but are a lighter and flakier option.
Why You Should Try This Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks Recipe
Since this Cinnamon Sticks recipe calls for frozen puff pastry sheets and other everyday ingredients, they’re fast and convenient to bake.
Are you worried about eating too much fat and sugar? Just reduce or eliminate the cream cheese icing. Either way, you still have an incredibly tasty treat that goes well with a cup of coffee or tea.
Serve these Cinnasticks any time of day for a quick sugar rush or with a selection of dipping sauces (see the “What to Serve With Cinnabon Cinnamon Stix” section below for more ideas.
Cinnabon Cinnamon Stix Ingredients
For the Cinnasticks, you’ll need:
- Puff pastry dough
- White sugar
- Cinnamon
- Baking spray or margarine
Using frozen puff pastry sheets is a real time-saver. There’s no need to make and use homemade dough from scratch.
You’ll need Makara cinnamon for the authentic taste of Cinnabon; however, it is almost impossible to find for sale. Korinjte cinnamon is a good substitute.
For the cream cheese icing, you’ll need:
- Margarine
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is always better, but you can definitely use bottled juice for this recipe.
How to Make Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks
To prepare the cinnamon twists:
- Allow the puff pastry to defrost entirely. Set the margarine and cream cheese on the counter to soften.
- While the puff pastry is defrosting, use a fork to stir together the white sugar and cinnamon—reserve for later.
- Combine the softened margarine and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Mix with a mixer on medium speed until blended.
- Reduce the speed to low and add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Slowly increase the speed to medium-high and mix until the icing is fluffy.
- Place parchment paper on a baking tray and set aside. Depending on the size of your baking trays, you may need to use more than one to fit all the Cinnasticks.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on your work surface with the longer side closest to you.
- Spray the top of the puff pastry sheet with cooking spray or brush with a little melted margarine and sprinkle on about two tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cut the dough sheet in half longways, then into five equal sections from top to bottom. You’ll wind up with ten pieces. A sharp knife or a pastry wheel cutter will work here, but using a fluted wheel will give your sticks a decorative edge.
- Pick up a piece of puff pastry with one short end in each hand. Twist your hands in opposite directions and place the twisted piece on the parchment paper-lined baking tray, leaving several inches between each piece.
- Repeat until you twist the remaining pieces.
- Sprinkle a tablespoon of cinnamon sugar over the top of the stix.
- Bake cinni sticks at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Turn the trays midway through the baking time and swap tray positions if using multiple trays.
- Cool them on a wire rack for a few minutes. Serve warm cinni stix with cream cheese frosting.
Recipe Notes
This is one of the few recipes where I call for parchment paper. When the cinnamon and sugar crystallize in the oven, they become sticky. To prevent yourself from doing a lot of scrubbing; I suggest you use parchment paper.
Packaged puff pastry dough can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store near where pie shells are sold. For defrosting the puff pastry dough, follow the instructions on the box. Do not leave this overnight in your fridge to thaw, thinking it may save you time. You will end up with a sticky and hard-to-separate lump of dough.
What to Serve With Cinnabon Cinnamon Stix
A bowl of extra icing is always a nice touch, but here are three other serving suggestions to try:
- Nuts. Add great texture and a more complex flavor to your sticks by sprinkling crushed nuts over them while the icing is still wet. Use your favorite kind of nuts, and don’t shy away from using a candied variety.
- Chocolate dipping sauce. A small bowl of chocolate sauce is a welcome addition. Try warming the chocolate sauce for even more impact.
- Ancho Chili powder. Ancho Chili powder provides a touch of heat without overpowering the sweetness. Add a good pinch to the cinnamon sugar mixture or sprinkle it on after the twists come out of the oven.
How to Store Cinnamon Stix
Allow the Cinnamon Sticks to cool to room temperature on a wire rack, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store on the counter.
How Long Will Cinnamon Sticks Last?
The Cinnasticks should last three or four days but will lose crunchiness quickly. That’s okay because five minutes in a 300°F oven will restore their crunch.
More Cinnamon Recipes
- Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Coffee
- Cinnamon Roll Pie
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
- Domino’s Cinnastix
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks
- Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce
- Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists
- Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter
Recipes with Puff Pastry
Check out more of my easy bread recipes and the best copycat fast food restaurant recipes on CopyKat!
Cinnabon Stix
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 package puff pastry dough
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Icing
- 1/2 pound cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 pound margarine softened to room temperature
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Allow the puff pastry dough to defrost according to the package directions.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Unfold one sheet of puff pastry dough onto a clean counter with the long side facing you.
- Spray the dough with nonstick spray and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar onto the dough.
- Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough in half horizontally. Then cut the dough vertically into 10 pieces.
- Twist each piece of dough 2 to 3 times and place them onto the parchment-covered cookie sheet. Sprinkle with an additional 1 tablespoon of cinnamon sugar.
- Repeat the process with the second sheet of pastry dough.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the dough appears toasted.
- To prepare the icing, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and margarine together. Slowly add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
- Serve the Cinnabon Stix with a small bowl of icing on the side.
I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉
I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉