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11 Genius Christmas Cinnamon Recipes You Need To Try
Is there any scent more magical than cinnamon during the holidays? That warm, sweet aroma instantly fills your home with nostalgia and festive cheer.
You’re looking for the perfect Christmas baking cinnamon recipe, one that’s reliable, delicious, and creates those cherished holiday memories. Finding a foolproof recipe you can trust during the busy holiday season can be a challenge.
This guide provides 11 genius, kitchen-tested Christmas cinnamon recipes, from gooey rolls to festive cookies. You’ll discover step-by-step instructions and pro tips that guarantee success, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker.
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Why Does Cinnamon Instantly Make It Feel Like Christmas?
The scent of cinnamon is synonymous with Christmas due to its historical significance as a valuable, warming spice used in winter celebrations for centuries. Its key aromatic compound, cinnamaldehyde, evokes powerful feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and comfort. This deep-seated sensory connection makes it a staple in holiday baking traditions worldwide, signaling that a special, comforting time of year has arrived. We all know that scent—it’s the official fragrance of holiday joy. These tried and true recipes capture that magic in every single bite.
11 Genius Christmas Cinnamon Recipes to Fill Your Home with Holiday Cheer
From a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday party to an easy edible gift for friends and neighbors, you’ll find the perfect recipe here. We’ve curated a list of our best, kitchen-tested creations to ensure your baking adventures are a huge success. Each recipe includes detailed, step-by-step instructions and pro tips to help you bake with confidence and fill your home with the incredible aroma of Christmas.
1. The Ultimate Gooey Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
Pin this foolproof recipe for the best Christmas morning ever!
This is the classic, foolproof recipe every baker needs. These fluffy cinnamon rolls feature a rich, gooey brown sugar filling and are slathered in a tangy cream cheese frosting. They are the ultimate comforting breakfast treat for a special holiday morning.
Ingredients Needed:
- For the Dough: All-purpose or bread flour, active dry yeast, whole milk, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, eggs, salt
- For the Filling: Dark brown sugar, high-quality ground Cassia cinnamon, softened unsalted butter
- For the Frosting: Full-fat block cream cheese (softened), unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a splash of milk
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Activate the Yeast: Gently warm the milk to 110°F (43°C), then stir in yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the Dough: In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast mixture with the remaining dough ingredients. Knead on low speed for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Assemble the Rolls: Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the top.
- Roll and Cut: Tightly roll the dough into a log. Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to cut into 12 even rolls.
- Second Rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, cover, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Frost: While the rolls cool slightly, beat together the frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread generously over the warm rolls.
Pro-Tip: For the richest flavor, use a high-quality, potent Cassia cinnamon. It provides that classic, bold “Cinnabon” style flavor. If you prefer a more delicate, floral note, use Ceylon cinnamon.
Save this show-stopping recipe for your holiday party!
You’ve seen this stunning creation on social media, and it’s easier to make than it looks! This shareable pull-apart bread uses a soft, sweet dough layered with cinnamon filling and is twisted into an intricate snowflake shape. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a holiday brunch or party.
Materials Needed:
- 1 batch of the cinnamon roll dough from recipe #1 (after the first rise)
- 1/2 batch of the cinnamon roll filling from recipe #1
- A large sheet of parchment paper
- A pizza cutter or sharp knife
- A round bowl or cake pan to use as a cutting guide (approx. 10-12 inches)
- A reliable bench scraper for easy dough handling
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Divide Dough: After the first rise, divide your dough into 4 equal portions.
- Create Layers: Roll the first portion into a 10-12 inch circle on parchment paper. Spread with 1/3 of the cinnamon filling. Repeat this two more times, stacking the circles of dough and filling. Top with the final circle of plain dough.
- Shape the Circle: Place your guide bowl upside down on the stack and trim the edges to create a perfect circle.
- Mark the Center: Place a small glass or cookie cutter in the very center of the circle to mark a “no-cut” zone.
- Cut the Arms: Using a pizza cutter or bench scraper, make 16 evenly spaced cuts from the edge of the center circle out to the edge of the dough, like cutting a pizza.
- Twist: Take two adjacent strips of dough and twist them away from each other twice. Pinch the ends together firmly. Repeat this process all the way around the circle, creating 8 “points” of the snowflake.
- Final Rise & Bake: Cover and let the snowflake rise for 20-30 minutes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden. Dust with powdered sugar once cooled.
Lesson Learned: Don’t be afraid to be firm when twisting the dough strips. A tight twist creates a much more defined and beautiful snowflake pattern after baking.
Pin this easy cookie recipe for your next holiday swap!
These are not your average cinnamon sugar cookies. The addition of cream cheese to the dough makes them incredibly soft, tender, and tangy. Rolled in a crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating, these cookies have a delightful texture and are simple enough for any baker to master.
Ingredients Needed:
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Full-fat block cream cheese, softened
- Granulated sugar
- One egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder and salt
- For rolling: Granulated sugar mixed with ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This is critical for preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
- Shape and Roll: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Bake: Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro-Tip: Using only an egg yolk (no white) and full-fat block cream cheese are the secrets to an incredibly rich and tender cookie. Don’t substitute with low-fat or whipped cream cheese.
4. Warm Gingerbread Spiced Cinnamon Rolls
Save this festive flavor twist on a classic!
Combine two iconic Christmas flavors into one incredible treat! This recipe infuses a classic cinnamon roll dough with the rich, dark flavors of molasses, ginger, and cloves. Topped with a bright orange glaze, these rolls are a sophisticated and unforgettable holiday bake.
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 batch of cinnamon roll dough (from recipe #1), with the following additions to the dry ingredients:
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Add 1/4 cup of a quality unsulphured blackstrap molasses with the wet ingredients
- 1 batch of standard cinnamon-sugar filling
- For the Glaze: Powdered sugar, orange juice, and a little orange zest
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Prepare the Dough: Follow the instructions for the cinnamon roll dough in recipe #1, adding the extra spices to the flour mixture and the molasses along with the milk and eggs.
- First Rise: The molasses may slightly slow the rise time. Be patient and let it rise in a warm spot until fully doubled.
- Assemble and Bake: Assemble, cut, and bake the rolls exactly as described in recipe #1. The rolls will be a much darker, richer brown color.
- Make the Glaze: While the rolls are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until you have a smooth, pourable glaze.
- Finish: Drizzle the orange glaze over the warm gingerbread cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately.
Pro-Tip: The bitterness of blackstrap molasses is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the filling and the bright acidity of the orange glaze. Don’t skip the citrusy finish!
5. Buttery Cinnamon Swirl Shortbread Bites
Pin this elegant cookie recipe for your holiday gifts!
These beautiful slice-and-bake cookies are as delicious as they are elegant. A crisp, buttery shortbread dough is layered with a cinnamon-infused dough, then rolled and sliced to reveal a mesmerizing swirl. They are sturdy, package well, and make a perfect edible Christmas gift.
Materials Needed:
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- Powdered sugar
- All-purpose flour and salt
- For the Swirl Layer: All-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, granulated sugar
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Make the Dough: In a food processor, pulse the cold butter, powdered sugar, flour, and salt until a crumbly dough forms. Press it together into a ball.
- Divide and Flavor: Divide the dough in half. Return one half to the food processor with the flour, cinnamon, and sugar for the swirl layer. Pulse until combined. You now have one plain dough and one cinnamon dough.
- Create Layers: Roll each dough half separately between sheets of parchment paper into a rectangle of the same size.
- Stack and Roll: Place the cinnamon dough rectangle directly on top of the plain dough rectangle. Tightly roll them together into a log.
- Chill: Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours until very firm. This step is mandatory for clean slices.
- Slice and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a sharp knife to slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch thick cookies. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will not spread much. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Pro-Tip: For perfectly round cookies, after chilling the log for an hour, re-roll it on the counter to smooth out any flat spots, then chill again until completely firm.
6. Quick Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bites
Save this quick and easy recipe for a no-fuss holiday breakfast!
When you need a festive treat in a hurry, this canned biscuit dough tips is a lifesaver. These small, poppable cinnamon roll bites are incredibly easy to make, perfect for a hectic Christmas morning or as a fun baking project with kids. They deliver all the flavor with a fraction of the effort.
Materials Needed:
- 1 can of refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands)
- Melted unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- For the Glaze: Powdered sugar and milk
- A standard muffin tin or mini-muffin tin for perfectly portioned bites
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin.
- Cut Dough: Open the can of biscuits and cut each biscuit into four equal pieces.
- Mix Coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Coat the Bites: Dip each piece of biscuit dough into the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until it’s completely coated.
- Fill Tin: Place 3-4 coated pieces into each cup of your prepared muffin tin.
- Bake: Bake for 13-17 minutes, until the bites are golden brown and cooked through.
- Glaze: Let the bites cool for a few minutes in the pan. While they cool, mix powdered sugar and milk to create a simple glaze. Drizzle over the warm bites before serving.
Lesson Learned: Don’t overcrowd the muffin cups. This ensures the dough pieces cook evenly all the way through instead of leaving a gooey, uncooked center.
7. Adorable Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls
Pin this cute and festive idea for a holiday brunch!
This is less a recipe and more a genius decorating idea! Take your favorite cinnamon rolls and arrange them into an adorable, shareable Christmas tree shape. Topped with green icing and sprinkle “ornaments,” it’s a fun and festive pull-apart treat that kids and adults will love.
Materials Needed:
- 1 batch of prepared cinnamon roll dough, rolled and filled into a log (from recipe #1)
- A large baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- For Decorating: Cream cheese frosting, green food coloring, assorted festive sprinkles, one yellow star-shaped sprinkle
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Cut the Rolls: Slice your log of filled cinnamon roll dough into individual rolls, about 1.5 inches thick.
- Form the Tree: On your parchment-lined baking sheet, start arranging the rolls into a triangle tree shape. Begin with a row of 5 rolls at the base, then a row of 4 nestled on top, then 3, then 2, and finally 1 at the top.
- Add the Trunk: Use two more rolls placed side-by-side at the bottom center of the tree to create the trunk.
- Second Rise: Cover the tree loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes until the rolls are puffy and touching each other.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown.
- Decorate: Let the tree cool for about 10 minutes. Mix green food coloring into your cream cheese frosting and spread it over the rolls. Immediately decorate with sprinkles as “ornaments” and place the yellow star sprinkle at the very top.
Pro-Tip: To prevent the outer rolls from browning too quickly, you can tent the edges of the tree with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
8. The Easiest Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread
Save this crowd-pleasing recipe for your next family gathering!
Monkey bread is the ultimate shareable dessert, and this easy recipe uses canned biscuit dough to make it a breeze. Pieces of dough are coated in cinnamon sugar and baked in a bundt pan with a decadent brown sugar caramel sauce. It’s gooey, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Materials Needed:
- 2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough
- Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon
- For the Sauce: Unsalted butter, dark brown sugar
- Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts
- A well-greased 10- or 12-cup bundt pan
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a bundt pan. If using, sprinkle chopped nuts in the bottom of the pan.
- Cut and Coat Dough: Cut each biscuit into quarters. In a large zip-top bag, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Add the biscuit pieces, seal the bag, and shake until every piece is coated. Arrange the coated pieces in the prepared bundt pan.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the biscuit pieces in the pan.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and the center is cooked through.
- Invert: Let the pan cool for only 5 minutes. Place a large serving plate over the bundt pan and carefully flip it over. The monkey bread should release. If any pieces stick, just scoop them out and place them on top. Serve warm.
Lesson Learned: Do not let the monkey bread cool for more than 5-10 minutes in the pan. If the caramel sauce cools too much, it will solidify and the bread will be stuck in the pan.
Pin this unique holiday cookie recipe to try something new!
Also known as Polvorones, these are not your typical Christmas cookie. They have a distinctive crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to toasted pecans. The warm hint of cinnamon makes them perfectly festive, and a double coating of powdered sugar gives them their signature snowy look.
Ingredients Needed:
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Finely chopped toasted pecans
- Ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt
- Extra powdered sugar for rolling
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Toast Nuts: Toast the finely chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Let them cool completely. This step is essential for the best flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Mix in the vanilla.
- Combine Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, and the cooled, toasted pecans. Add this to the butter mixture and mix on low until a crumbly dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the chilled dough into small 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops will still be pale.
- Coat in Sugar: Let the cookies cool for just a few minutes until you can handle them. While they are still very warm, roll them generously in powdered sugar. Let them cool completely on a wire rack, then roll them in powdered sugar a second time for a thick, snowy coating.
Pro-Tip: The double-coating in powdered sugar is key. The first coat melts slightly onto the warm cookie, creating a base for the second, prettier coat to stick to.
10. The Best Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
Save this perfect coffee cake recipe for a cozy holiday morning!
A slice of moist coffee cake is perfect for a cozy Christmas brunch. This recipe features a tender, sour cream-based cake with a thick ribbon of cinnamon-sugar filling and a generous amount of crunchy, buttery streusel on top. It’s a classic holiday breakfast bake that never disappoints.
Ingredients Needed:
- For the Streusel: All-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and cold unsalted butter, cubed
- For the Cake: All-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and full-fat sour cream
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Make the Streusel: In a bowl, combine the flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Refrigerate while you make the cake batter.
- Prep for Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking pan.
- Mix Cake Batter: Whisk together the dry cake ingredients. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
- Combine Batter: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Layer and Bake: Spread half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the cold streusel mixture. Carefully top with the remaining cake batter, then sprinkle the rest of the streusel on top.
- Bake: Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Pro-Tip: Using cold butter for the streusel and keeping it refrigerated is the secret to a crunchy, distinct topping that doesn’t melt into the cake.
11. Genius Make-Ahead Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Pin this time-saving tips for a stress-free Christmas morning!
Want fresh, hot cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning without waking up at dawn? This is the method for you. Prepare your rolls completely the night before, then let them do a slow, cold rise in the refrigerator. The next morning, all you have to do is bake and frost them.
Equipment Needed:
- One batch of your favorite cinnamon roll dough and filling (like recipe #1)
- A baking dish (9×13 inch is standard)
- Plastic wrap
- Refrigerator space
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Prepare Rolls Completely: Follow your recipe all the way through making the dough, the first rise, rolling, filling, and slicing the rolls.
- Arrange in Pan: Place the cut, unbaked rolls into your greased baking dish just as you normally would.
- Cover for a Cold Rise: Instead of letting them rise in a warm place, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate: Place the covered pan directly into the refrigerator. You can leave them there for up to 18 hours. The dough will rise slowly in the cold.
- The Next Morning: Remove the pan from the refrigerator. Place it on the counter in a warm spot while your oven preheats to 375°F (190°C). This takes the chill off the dough (about 30-45 minutes). They should look puffy.
- Bake as Directed: Bake the rolls according to your recipe’s instructions, usually 20-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Frost and Serve: Frost the warm rolls and enjoy a fresh, hot, and completely stress-free Christmas breakfast.
Pro-Tip: Ensure your pan is covered very tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the tops of the rolls from drying out and forming a “skin” in the cold, dry air of the refrigerator.
Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Christmas Cinnamon Baking
- For Classic Cravings: The Ultimate Gooey Cinnamon Rolls (#1) are a foolproof choice for Christmas morning.
- For a Visual Showstopper: The Viral Snowflake Bread (#2) and Christmas Tree Rolls (#7) are perfect for parties and social media shares.
- For Quick & Easy: The Cinnamon Roll Bites (#6) using biscuit dough are the fastest way to get your cinnamon fix.
- For Edible Gifts: The Cinnamon Swirl Shortbread (#5) and Mexican Wedding Cookies (#9) are sturdy, beautiful, and package well.
- Top Time-Saving Tip: Prepare rolls the night before using the Make-Ahead Overnight (#11) method for a stress-free holiday breakfast.
People Also Ask About Christmas Cinnamon Recipes
Can I make cinnamon roll dough ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely. You can prepare the dough through the shaping and cutting stage, place the unbaked rolls in a pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight for up to 18 hours. The next morning, let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as usual for a fresh, stress-free breakfast.
What is the best type of cinnamon to use for baking?
For a bold, spicy, classic flavor like in mall-style cinnamon buns, use Cassia cinnamon. It’s the most common type found in stores. For a more delicate, complex, and slightly citrusy flavor that’s wonderful in cookies and pastries, use Ceylon cinnamon, often labeled “true cinnamon.”
Why are my cinnamon rolls dry or hard?
The most common culprits for dry cinnamon rolls are overbaking or adding too much flour to the dough. Bake them until they are just golden brown, not dark. When mixing the dough, add flour gradually and stop when the dough is soft and slightly tacky, not stiff. A rich, buttery filling also helps keep them moist.
Store most cinnamon cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For soft cookies like the Cream Cheese Cookies, adding a slice of sandwich bread to the container will help them retain their moisture. Crisp cookies like shortbread should be stored separately to maintain their texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing more magical than the aroma of cinnamon and sugar baking in the oven during the holidays. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s the creation of a memory. We hope these 11 genius ideas have inspired you to start your own delicious traditions.
Now we’d love to hear from you: Which of these Christmas cinnamon recipes are you most excited to try first? Let us know in the comments below
Last update on 2025-11-26 at 21:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
