Description
Ingredients
For this easy cinnamon sticks recipe, you’ll need:
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- 1 package (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry, thawed (2 sheets)
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- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
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- 1 cup granulated sugar
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- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
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- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (to mix with the melted butter)
Instructions
Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature for approximately 40 minutes, or until it’s pliable but still cool to the touch. This is the perfect time to get little helpers involved measuring ingredients or setting the table. When I’m in a rush (which, let’s be honest, is most days), I place it on a baking sheet near the preheating oven to speed things up a bit.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me on the parchment paper – it saves so much cleanup time later with the melted sugar!
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, mixing well until evenly incorporated. This is a job my daughter Lila loves to do – watching the cinnamon create beautiful swirls through the white sugar. If you like, set aside about 2 tablespoons of this mixture for sprinkling on top after baking.
Unfold each sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. If there are any cracks, gently press them back together with your fingers. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the top of each pastry sheet with melted butter. If you’re using vanilla extract, mix it with the butter before brushing.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered surface of the puff pastry sheets, leaving a small border around the edges. Press the sugar mixture lightly into the dough with your palms or a flat spatula to help it adhere better.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each puff pastry sheet into strips approximately 1 inch wide. For longer sticks, cut along the shorter side of the rectangle; for shorter sticks, cut along the longer side. The puff pastry I use typically yields about 9 sticks per sheet when cutting along the shorter side.
Carefully transfer the strips to your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. For a fancier presentation, twist each strip 2-3 times before placing it on the baking sheet. This creates beautiful spirals of cinnamon sugar that looks impressive but is so simple!
Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sticks are puffed and golden brown. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through for even browning. Watch them carefully during the last few minutes – the sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt quite quickly!
Allow the cinnamon sticks to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’re best enjoyed warm, when the pastry is still crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. If you reserved some cinnamon sugar, you can sprinkle it over the warm sticks for an extra sweet touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 sticks
- Calories: 220
Keywords: cinnamon sticks recipe, easy puff pastry dessert, 5 ingredient cinnamon treat, quick cinnamon pastry, homemade cinnamon sticks