20 Cinnamon-Sugar Recipes That Will Make Your Kitchen Smell Amazing
There's nothing quite like this culinary match.
There are a few matches made in culinary heaven that are irresistible to most Americans: peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, burger and fries. Then, there's cinnamon and sugar. The combination of sweet and spicy with that little added crunch when it's sprinkled on top? If you're already drooling from just the thought of it, just wait until you look at these best cinnamon-sugar recipes.
Ree Drummond has very strong opinions about cinnamon and sugar, particularly if you ask her about cinnamon toast. "Cinnamon toast is a serious business, people," she once declared, then raided her spice rack and promptly made it four different ways to prove her point. (Don't worry, the winning technique is included here!) Of course, the cinnamon and sugar combo isn't just for a quick breakfast or snack. Oh no, there's so much more to be had, particularly in the dessert category.
Just a few types of treats you'll find on this list include homemade doughnuts, Bundt cakes, scone recipes, and Ree's famous cinnamon rolls. There's plenty of apple desserts because apples and cinnamon also happen to be a match made in heaven. Of course, you don't need fruit to enjoy cinnamon recipes. Sometimes, you just need a piece of toast. So gather 'round because you're about to add that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and crunchy to every type of snack you could ever want. Long live cinnamon and sugar!
Snickerdoodles
Cinnamon and sugar are at their best when it comes to classic snickerdoodles. Soft and tender on the inside with spicy crunch on the outside, it's just not the holiday season unless they're on the cookie plate.
Get Ree's Snickerdoodles recipe.
Cinnamon Rolls
Fact: You can't have cinnamon rolls without cinnamon and sugar... and lots of it! Ree (and her mom before her!) have been making them from scratch for decades, and Ree promises "they really are that good."
Get Ree's Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
Monkey Bread Muffins
Another recipe that just wouldn't be the same without the sweet-spicy combo is monkey bread! Whether you make it the classic way or in cute to-go muffins, a good coating in cinnamon and sugar is essential.
Get Ree's Monkey Bread Muffins recipe.
Apple Cider Cookies
If you want the taste of fall in the form of a cookie, this is it! Nutty brown butter and syrupy apple cider are baked inside and then coated in a cinnamon-sugar spice mixture for the ultimate cozy bite.
Get Ree's Apple Cider Cookies recipe.
Candied Pecans
Endlessly snackable and perfectly giftable for the holidays, coating pecans in sugar and cinnamon then baking them in the oven give them an extra crunchy bite. They'll stay fresh up to a week... if they last that long!
Get the Candied Pecans recipe.
Apple Cider Doughnuts
There's nothing like going to the orchard and having a fresh doughnut. And you can recreate the fall tradition at home! This homemade version can be fried or baked. Either way, you know how to coat them. 😉
Get the Apple Cider Doughnuts recipe.
Cinnamon-Spice Sopapillas
If you've never had this fried dough pastry, you're in for a treat―literally! Once they fry up all golden brown, they get rolled in cinnamon, sugar, and just a pinch of chipotle chile powder.
Get Ree's Cinnamon-Spice Sopapillas recipe.
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
What makes a sweet and crunchy snack? These pumpkin seeds! Save them after a day of carving pumpkins.
Get the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds recipe.
"Fried" Ice Cream
While the outside coating on these ice cream treats tastes fried, it's actually not! The secret is a mixture of cinnamon toasted rice cereal squares and sugar. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce for good measure.
Get the "Fried" Ice Cream recipe.
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
Want that same orchard treat flavor but in a cake form? Bake a Bundt. The outside will be that same sweet, crunchy goodness without having to fry individual servings.
Get the Apple Cider Doughnut Cake recipe.
Snickerdoodle Bars
Another bonus of using cinnamon and sugar as a topping? It adds a little sparkle. And isn't that just what you want when Christmas cookie season rolls around?
Get Ree's Snickerdoodle Bars recipe.
Churros
The crispy fried exterior of churros is almost as irresistible as the cinnamon-sugar coating on the outside. The whipped dulce de leche dip puts them over the top!
Get the Churros recipe.
Doughnuts with Salted Caramel Sauce
You'll actually roll these easy doughnuts in a mixture of apple pie spice instead of just cinnamon along with the sugar. So even more warm, inviting spices? Pass another one, please.
Get Ree's Doughnuts with Salted Caramel Sauce recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Come fall, there's one spice blend that reigns supreme: pumpkin spice. If you love cinnamon sugar and pumpkin spice, why not combine them in a batch of homemade muffins? What makes them even sweeter is the cream cheese frosting on top!
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Muffins recipe.
Spiced Apple Pie
Not only does the top crust of this seasonal pie get an extra crunch from cinnamon and sugar, but it gets an extra kick, too. That's because it has a sprinkle of chipotle chile powder!
Get Ree's Spiced Apple Pie recipe.
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Hello, perfect fall dessert! You get an extra spicy exterior by using pumpkin pie spice with the sugar and a soft, autumnal interior. The plate will be empty before you know it.
Get the Pumpkin Snickerdoodles recipe.
Brown Butter Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These muffins already get a ton of flavor from the brown butter and apples in the batter. But it's the cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on the top that will really wake you up in the morning.
Cinnamon Crisps
Ree says these crips are "ridiculously easy and beyond addictive. Serve them with ice cream...or just eat 'em as snacks." The secret ingredient? Tortillas!
Get Ree's Cinnamon Crisps recipe.
Sweet Cinnamon Scones
If you need something to go with your tea or coffee, look no further than these scones. Ree says you can make them big or small. Either way, make sure you dunk them!
Get Ree's Sweet Cinnamon Scones recipe.
Cinnamon Toast
As promised, here it is: Ree's definitive answer to the question of how to make cinnamon toast. It may look simple, but it will knock your socks off!
Get Ree's Cinnamon Toast recipe.
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