20 Cinnamon Recipes That Definitely Don’t Lack Flavor
It’s not just a garnish.
GREG DUPREE
No spice rack is complete without cinnamon, whether it’s ground or in stick form. The popular ingredient, which comes from certain types of trees, boasts several health benefits. It has antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties, which means it’s a pro at fighting infection, and it’s known to reduce inflammation and blood pressure, which is beneficial for one’s overall health.
Additionally, cinnamon is used extensively in cooking and baking, and manages to thrive in both sweet and savory recipes. Case in point: Cinnamon adds plenty of flavor to dishes like French toast, apple pie, and fruit smoothies, but it also brings another dimension to chilis and spice rubs. Keep reading for plenty of cinnamon recipes—think cinnamon buns, cinnamon chia pudding, and more—that are packed with flavor.
Related: 17 Smoked Salmon Recipes That Are Packed With Flavor
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
What would a cinnamon recipe roundup be without cinnamon rolls? The popular spice is at its best here, as it is joined by a fluffy, tender base and a glaze that’s sweet but not too sweet thanks to the inclusion of cream cheese. These pastries are most delicious right out of the oven, but you can also heat up any leftovers in the microwave for a very similar effect.
Cinnamon-Raisin Schmear
This homemade schmear starts with store-bought cream cheese that gets upgraded thanks to a handful of pantry staples. You’ll combine the cream cheese with light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, raisins, and chopped walnuts. The final result has plenty of flavor and texture, and works perfectly on a toasted bagel of your choice.
Challah Cinnamon French Toast
As anyone who has ever made French toast will tell you, cinnamon is a key component of the brunch favorite. In this recipe, thick slices of challah are bathed in a flavorful mixture of half-and-half, orange zest, cinnamon, salt, and eggs, before getting cooked in a buttery skillet. Serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar and enjoy!
Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
These flaky sugar cookies require just 10 minutes of hands-on work thanks to the use of frozen puff pastry that acts as the dough. To make these treats, you’ll unfold the pastry sheet, brush it with an egg, and fill it with a combination of chopped pecans and ground cinnamon. To get that picture-perfect swirl, all you need to do is roll the pastry sheet into a tight log, freeze it for 15 minutes, and then cut it into slices. After a quick trip to the oven, the cookies are ready to eat.
Creamy Date Shakes With Cinnamon
GREG DUPREE
If you’ve got a craving for a milkshake but don’t want something super sweet, give this recipe a whirl. Here, Medjool dates are combined with hemp seeds, almond milk, ice, and cinnamon to create a bold, refreshing drink. Sprinkle another dash of cinnamon on the finished product for even more flavor.
Vanilla-Cinnamon Chia Pudding
If you love rice pudding or tapioca, vanilla chia pudding will be right up your alley. It’s made with a combination of milk, (we like vanilla almond milk) chia seeds, agave nectar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. If you’re not a fan of almond milk, go ahead and use coconut milk or whole milk instead for maximum creaminess.
Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider Donuts
This quintessential fall treat is easier than you might think to make at home. While it calls for about 50 minutes of hands-on work, we promise it’s worth it. The sticky dough is made with apple cider, whole milk, dark brown sugar, and ground cinnamon, among other things, while the flavorful topping is a combination of sugar and even more cinnamon.
Slow Cooker Apple-and-Pear Sauce
If you like cinnamon apples, give this condiment a try. Using a slow cooker cuts the prep time down to just 10 minutes. To the appliance you’ll add peeled and chopped apples and pears, maple syrup, and water. The final three ingredients—lemon juice, a vanilla bean, and a cinnamon stick—balance out the sweetness of the fruit and add plenty of flavor.
Apple Coffee Cake Twist With Giant Crumbs
The sweet-and-spicy cinnamon crumb topping is unquestionably the best part of this dessert, but don’t sleep on the “cake” portion either. It’s actually made of twisted crescent rolls that have been flavored with apples, chopped pecans, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and more.
Related: 49 Easy Apple Recipes for Fall or Any Occasion
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
Who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls that come together in 30 minutes and call for just eight ingredients? These pastries boast a delicious sweet cinnamon and brown sugar filling folded between layers of buttery dough, and the whole thing is topped with a creamy vanilla glaze. Need we say more?
Cinnamon Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
For something less decadent than pumpkin pie, try these flavorful muffins made with canned pumpkin and an array of spices, including cinnamon. These sweet treats are great any time of day—from breakfast to a late-night snack—so you might as well make a double batch.
Apple Rugelach
Victor Protasio
Perfect for Hanukkah, or any holiday celebration, really, these crescent-shaped pastries are filled with a mixture of apple butter, honey, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of slivered almonds. Serve ‘em with a cup of coffee and enjoy!
Homemade Hot Apple Cider
Sure, you can stock up on apple cider at your local farmers market or grocery store, or you could make the autumnal drink yourself. Though whipping up some homemade cider might sound intimidating, it only requires about 20 minutes of hands-on prep and uses several fall pantry staples. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and drink up!
Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Make your childhood dream come true, and start your day with dessert. These surprisingly healthy carrot cake-like cookies are made of wholesome, fiber-rich ingredients—rolled oats, almond flour, walnuts, and a shower of shredded carrots— to help keep you full until lunch. Cinnamon adds just the right amount of spice.
Apple Spice Donut Pudding
Fred Hardy
If you’re a bread pudding fan who loves the flavors of fall, we couldn’t recommend this dessert strongly enough. Here, glazed doughnut pieces are folded into a sweet, syrupy mixture of sautéed apples that also includes sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and, of course, ground cinnamon. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream and dig in.
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Need a break from banana bread? We’ve got you. While this bread is similar, it’s made with canned pumpkin and an array of spices, instead of bananas. This recipe delivers a moist, flavorful loaf that's as good with a cup of coffee as it is with a scoop of ice cream. And don't even get us started on its delectable streusel-pumpkin seed topping!
Apple Pie Skillet Cake
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS
This easy apple dessert is ready in 45 minutes and requires only 20 minutes of hands-on time. After cooking apples in brown sugar and cinnamon, fold them into the batter, then bake. We recommend Honeycrisp apples for their crisp texture, but Gala or Pink Lady apples will also work. Serve with ice cream for optimal satisfaction.
Sheet Pan Apple Crisp
For a scrumptious apple dessert with minimal cleanup, try this sheet pan recipe made with Gala apples, rolled oats, and plenty of warm spices, including cinnamon. The genius of using a sheet pan is that the ratio of apples to crisp is essentially 50-50, which yields some delicious results in about 90 minutes.
Related: 15 Apple Pie Recipes to Make All Fall Long
Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies
Antonis Achilleos
Consider these cookies a “healthier” take on carrot cake. Made with grated carrots, oats, cinnamon, ginger, and sweetened coconut, these treats are stuffed with a homemade tangy cream cheese filling that’s similar to the frosting you’d see on the beloved cake.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Pecan Monkey Bread
While monkey bread doesn’t always contain pecans, cinnamon is a given. In this recipe, we think the nuts add just the right amount of texture and buttery flavor to the classic American treat. By layering the pecans in the bottom of your slow cooker, you’re ensuring that your monkey bread has an irresistible crust once it’s inverted.
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