Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists use refrigerated crescent dough for flaky, buttery pastries filled with cinnamon-sugar and finished with vanilla glaze. These 5-ingredient treats bake in 12 minutes for quick breakfast, brunch, or dessert. No yeast or rolling required.
Why These Twists Work
Store-bought crescent dough provides perfect flakiness without proofing. Brushing butter ensures filling adheres while twisting creates layered texture. Quick bake preserves tenderness while glaze adds sweetness balance.
Key Ingredients
- 2 cans crescent roll dough (8 oz each) forms 16 twists
- Melted butter helps filling stick to layers
- Brown sugar and cinnamon create signature flavor
- Powdered sugar, milk, vanilla make shiny glaze
Step-by-Step Method
Prep Filling
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Melt butter. Unroll crescent dough sheets onto parchment-lined baking sheet, pressing perforations to seal.
Assemble Twists
Brush dough with half the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Slice dough into 12 long strips. Gently twist each strip 3-4 times and place on baking sheet.
Bake & Glaze
Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden. Brush immediately with remaining melted butter. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze; drizzle over warm twists.
Serving Ideas
Serve warm for best texture. Pair with coffee for breakfast or ice cream for dessert. Add chopped pecans to filling for crunch or orange zest to glaze for citrus twist.
Storage & Reheating
- Store airtight at room temp 2 days or refrigerate 5 days
- Freeze unglazed up to 3 months; thaw and bake fresh
- Reheat 350°F oven 5 minutes or microwave 15 seconds
Pro Tips
- Press perforations firmly for solid dough sheet
- Twist gently to avoid tearing layers
- Drizzle glaze while twists warm for best adhesion
- Double glaze layer for extra sweetness
Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute |
| Crescent rolls | Puff pastry sheets (thawed) |
| Brown sugar | Granulated sugar + molasses |
| Dairy-free | Vegan butter + plant milk |
| Cinnamon | Pumpkin pie spice blend |
Nutrition (per twist)
Approximately 210 calories, 11g fat, 26g carbs, 2g protein. 16 twists per batch; glaze adds sweetness.
FAQ
Prevent dough drying?
Cover unrolled dough with damp towel while working. Assemble quickly before baking.
Make-ahead?
Assemble and freeze on sheet, then transfer to bag. Bake directly from freezer adding 2-3 minutes.
Thicker glaze?
Reduce milk to 1 Tbsp for spoonable icing consistency.
Crescent Roll Cinnamon Twists
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll both cans crescent dough onto parchment. Press perforations to form 2 solid sheets.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Brush each dough sheet with 2 Tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon-sugar.
- Cut each sheet into 8 long strips (16 total). Twist each strip 3-4 times. Place on baking sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Brush immediately with remaining 2 Tbsp melted butter.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm twists. Serve.
