Effortless Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists: Your Go-To Quick & Delicious Holiday Treat

Get ready to infuse your home with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon this holiday season! These super simple puff pastry cinnamon twists are an absolute delight, perfect for busy bakers who crave homemade treats without the fuss. Using readily available puff pastry, this recipe comes together with just 6 common ingredients and requires only 10 minutes of hands-on preparation before baking to golden perfection. Whether you’re preparing for a festive gathering, looking for a quick breakfast pastry, or simply want a sweet snack, these twists are guaranteed to become a seasonal favorite.

The holiday season often brings a flurry of activities, making quick and easy recipes invaluable. This recipe is a fantastic addition to your repertoire, allowing you to whip up a batch of impressive-looking pastries with minimal effort. If you’re in the mood for a savory counterpoint to these sweet twists, you might also enjoy my Gruyere and Prosciutto Puff Pastry Twists, which offer a different, equally delicious experience for savory snack lovers.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists

These puff pastry cinnamon twists aren’t just easy; they’re incredibly versatile and satisfying. Here’s why they’ll quickly become a cherished recipe in your kitchen:

• Effortless Preparation with Ready-Made Puff Pastry: Forget about the tedious process of making homemade puff pastry. This recipe embraces the convenience of store-bought sheets, allowing you to create impressive pastries in a fraction of the time. Keep a few packages in your fridge or freezer, and you’ll always be ready for a last-minute treat.
• Irresistible Flavor Profile: Each twist is generously brushed with melted butter and coated in a fragrant blend of cinnamon and cardamom sugar. This combination creates a perfect balance of warmth, sweetness, and a subtle exotic spice note that elevates the classic cinnamon flavor. The rich butter ensures a golden, crispy crust and tender interior.
• Speedy Baking: In just 10-12 minutes, these twists bake up beautifully, turning golden brown and perfectly flaky. This quick baking time means you can enjoy fresh, warm pastries almost instantly, making them ideal for unexpected guests or a spontaneous craving.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need a quick breakfast pastry, a delightful afternoon snack with coffee, or a charming dessert for holiday gatherings, these cinnamon twists fit the bill. Their elegant twisted shape makes them look fancy, but their simplicity keeps stress levels low.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Twists

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You likely have most of these items in your pantry already, making it incredibly convenient to whip up a batch whenever the mood strikes. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

The complete, printable recipe card with the precise quantities and detailed instructions is conveniently located at the bottom of this post.

• Spices: I personally love the nuanced warmth that a combination of cinnamon and cardamom brings to these twists. Cinnamon provides a classic comforting sweetness, while a touch of cardamom adds an intriguing, slightly floral and citrusy note. If cardamom isn’t to your taste or you don’t have it on hand, feel free to use only cinnamon – they’ll still be absolutely delicious! Ensure your spices are fresh for the best flavor.
• Puff Pastry: The star of this recipe is, of course, ready-made puff pastry. For optimal results and to prevent cracking when unrolling, remember to take your puff pastry out of the fridge approximately 15-20 minutes before you plan to start the recipe. This allows it to come to a more pliable room temperature, making it much easier to work with. Choose an all-butter puff pastry if available for the richest flavor, but any good quality store-bought puff pastry will work beautifully.
• Granulated Sugar: This provides the primary sweetness and creates that delightful crispy, caramelized coating on the twists.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter acts as the adhesive for our cinnamon sugar mixture and contributes to the golden-brown color and rich flavor of the baked pastry. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the dish.
• A Pinch of Salt: A tiny bit of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the spices pop. Don’t skip it!

Step-by-Step: How to Make These Irresistible Twists

Creating these cinnamon twists is a straightforward process, broken down into simple, manageable steps. Even if you’re new to baking, you’ll find this recipe incredibly approachable. Follow along to achieve perfect, flaky, and flavorful twists every time.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Oven. Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature when your twists are ready to bake, leading to an even cook. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup. In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom until thoroughly combined. This spice-sugar mixture is the heart of our flavor. Set this aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry. It’s crucial to allow your puff pastry to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before you unroll it. This simple step prevents the pastry from cracking and makes it much more pliable. Once softened, gently unroll the puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the entire surface of the pastry with your melted unsalted butter. Ensure good coverage, as this is what the cinnamon sugar will adhere to.

Step 3: Apply the Cinnamon Sugar. Generously sprinkle your prepared cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter-brushed puff pastry. Once sprinkled, use your hands to lightly press the sugar mixture into the butter. This helps it adhere well to the pastry, ensuring every twist is packed with flavor and doesn’t lose too much sugar during the twisting and baking process.

Step 4: Fold and Slice the Pastry. Carefully fold one of the long sides of the puff pastry over, so it meets the other long side, effectively folding the pastry in half lengthwise. You now have a thinner, longer rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, slice the folded pastry into 12 even sections, approximately 1-inch wide. These strips will become your individual twists.

Step 5: Create the Twists. Take one of the pastry strips and hold each end. Gently twist the strip in opposite directions to form a spiral. Don’t worry if a little cinnamon sugar sprinkles off – that’s perfectly normal! As you twist, you can gently pull the ends to slightly lengthen the twist, if desired. Place the twisted strip onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each twist. Repeat this process with the remaining 11 strips.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place the baking sheet with your twisted pastries into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 14-15 minutes, or until the twists are beautifully puffed up, golden brown, and delightfully crispy. The baking time might vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. They are absolutely heavenly when served warm.

Expert Recipe Tips and Tricks for Perfect Twists

Achieving perfectly flaky and flavorful puff pastry cinnamon twists is simple, especially with a few insider tips. These pointers will help ensure your baking experience is smooth and your results are outstanding.

• Temperature is Key for Puff Pastry: As mentioned in the instructions, remember to pull out your puff pastry at least 15-20 minutes before you plan to start working with it. If the pastry is too cold straight from the fridge, it can be brittle and prone to cracking when you unroll it. If you do encounter a small crack, don’t despair! You can usually use your fingers to gently press and patch up the dough seamlessly. Just try to avoid overworking it.
• Ensuring Sugar Adhesion: If you find that your cinnamon sugar isn’t sticking as well as you’d like to the melted butter on the puff pastry, there’s a simple trick. Once you’ve sprinkled the sugar and gently pressed it, and *after* you’ve folded the dough over in half, use a rolling pin to gently press into the folded dough. This will help embed the cinnamon sugar more firmly into the pastry layers, preventing excessive shedding during twisting and baking. Be gentle, as you don’t want to thin the pastry too much.
• Uniform Twists for Even Baking: When slicing your pastry into strips, aim for consistency in width. This helps ensure that all your twists bake evenly. Similarly, try to twist each strip with similar tension and length.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Give your twists room to breathe and puff up! Arrange them on the parchment-lined baking sheet with enough space between each one to allow for proper air circulation. This promotes even browning and ensures they become delightfully crisp.
• Watch for Golden Brown: Keep a close eye on your twists during the last few minutes of baking. Ovens can vary, and what’s golden brown in one might be slightly different in another. You’re looking for a beautiful, deep golden color that signifies flakiness and caramelized sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Twists

Expand Your Baking Repertoire: Try These Simple Recipes Next!

If you enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of these puff pastry cinnamon twists, you’re in for a treat with these other easy-to-make recipes. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests with minimal effort!

Have you made these incredibly easy Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists? We’d love to see your creations! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @alpineella and leave a review below to share your experience if you have! For even more delightful baking ideas and inspiration, you can follow me on Pinterest.

Recipe Card: Quick Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists