Easy Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks Recipe

Walking past a Cinnabon in the mall is nearly impossible without stopping. That irresistible cinnamon aroma draws you in every time. Beyond their famous cinnamon rolls, Cinnabon’s lighter, flakier Cinnamon Stix offer the same incredible flavor in a more manageable treat.

This copycat recipe recreates those mall memories using simple ingredients you likely have at home. Made with frozen puff pastry and a perfect cinnamon sugar blend, these sticks deliver that nostalgic flavor without the need for a mall trip.

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Why You Should Try This Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks Recipe 

Frozen puff pastry is the secret to achieving Cinnabon’s signature flaky texture without the time commitment of homemade dough. The butter layers in puff pastry create those light, crispy layers when baked at the right temperature.

The cinnamon sugar mixture caramelizes slightly during baking, creating that signature sweet coating. Twisting the pastry increases surface area, allowing more cinnamon flavor in every bite.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Stix Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Sticks:

• Puff pastry dough – Provides the flaky, buttery base that mimics Cinnabon’s texture
• White sugar – Creates sweetness and helps the cinnamon adhere to the pastry
• Cinnamon – Delivers the signature warm spice flavor (Korintje cinnamon is closest to Cinnabon’s Makara)
• Baking spray or margarine – Helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the pastry surface

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• Margarine – Adds richness and helps create a smooth icing texture
• Cream cheese – Provides a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness
• Powdered sugar – Creates the smooth, sweet icing consistency
• Lemon juice – Adds brightness and prevents the icing from being too heavy
• Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor profile of the icing

Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is always preferable, but bottled juice can also be used for this recipe. 

How to Make Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks 

To prepare the cinnamon twists:

1. Allow the puff pastry to defrost entirely. Set the margarine and cream cheese on the counter to soften. 
2. While the puff pastry is defrosting, use a fork to stir together the white sugar and cinnamon—reserve for later. 
3. Combine the softened margarine and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Mix with a mixer on medium speed until blended.
4. Reduce the speed to low and add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Slowly increase the speed to medium-high and mix until the icing is fluffy. 
5. Place parchment paper on a baking tray and set aside. Depending on the size of your baking trays, you may need to use more than one to fit all the Cinnasticks. 
6. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on your work surface with the longer side closest to you. 

7. Spray the top of the puff pastry sheet with cooking spray or brush with a little melted margarine and sprinkle on about two tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar mixture. 
8. Cut the dough sheet in half longwise, then into five equal sections from top to bottom. You’ll wind up with ten pieces. A sharp knife or a pastry wheel cutter will work here, but using a fluted wheel will give your sticks a decorative edge. 
9. Pick up a piece of puff pastry with one short end in each hand. Twist your hands in opposite directions and place the twisted piece on the parchment paper-lined baking tray, leaving several inches between each piece. 
10. Repeat until you twist the remaining pieces. 
11. Sprinkle a tablespoon of cinnamon sugar over the top of the stix.

12. Bake cinni sticks at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Turn the trays midway through the baking time and swap tray positions if using multiple trays. 
13. Cool them on a wire rack for a few minutes. Serve warm cinni stix with cream cheese frosting.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Counter Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Sticks will lose crispness over time.
• Reheating Method: Restore crunch by warming in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Do not microwave as this makes them soggy.
• Freezing: Freeze unbaked twisted sticks on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to cook time.

More Cinnamon Recipes

• Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
• Cinnamon Coffee
• Cinnamon Roll Pie
• Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
• Domino’s Cinnastix
• Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
• Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks
• Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce
• Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists
• Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter

Recipes with Puff Pastry

• Cherry Turnovers
• Chocolate Turnovers
• Fried Apple Pies

Check out more of my easy bread recipes and the best copycat fast food restaurant recipes on CopyKat!

Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Sticks – Easy Homemade

Flaky puff pastry twisted with cinnamon sugar creates these irresistible copycat Cinnabon sticks. Ready in 30 minutes with cream cheese icing!

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cinnabon Recipes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 607kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

Cinnamon Sticks

• 1 package puff pastry dough
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing

• 1/2 pound cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 1/2 pound margarine softened to room temperature
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Allow the puff pastry dough to defrost according to the package directions.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Place the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and stir to combine.
• Unfold one sheet of puff pastry dough onto a clean counter with the long side facing you.
• Spray the dough with nonstick spray and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar onto the dough.
• Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough in half horizontally. Then cut the dough vertically into 10 pieces.
• Twist each piece of dough 2 to 3 times and place them onto the parchment-covered cookie sheet. Sprinkle with an additional 1 tablespoon of cinnamon sugar.
• Repeat the process with the second sheet of pastry dough.
• Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the dough appears toasted.
• To prepare the icing, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and margarine together. Slowly add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
• Serve the Cinnabon Stix with a small bowl of icing on the side.

Notes

Cooks Notes

Using parchment paper is essential for this recipe. The cinnamon sugar caramelizes and becomes sticky during baking, making cleanup much easier with parchment.

Don’t leave puff pastry to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. This creates a sticky, difficult-to-work-with dough. Follow package defrosting instructions for best results.

For the most authentic Cinnabon flavor, seek out Korintje cinnamon, which most closely matches their proprietary Makara cinnamon blend.

Nutrition

Calories: 607kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 930IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.2mg