From soft and chewy cookies to crackly peanut brittle and gooey monkey bread, this roundup of cinnamon desserts has something sweet and cozy for every mood.
1/45
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This apple cider doughnut cake looks like a giant doughnut covered in cinnamon sugar! Thanks to the apple cider and applesauce in the batter, the Bundt cake has lots of apple flavor. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2/45
Cinnamon Star Cutouts
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies fill your home with an irresistible aroma as they bake. My grandmother made them every Christmas when I was a child. I have fond memories of helping her in the kitchen. —Jean Jones, Peachtree City, Georgia
3/45
Snickerdoodle Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
My maternal grandmother preferred sewing and quilting to cooking and baking, but there were some things that she cooked and baked really well. She was the only person I knew who made snickerdoodles, simple but yummy cookies that I’ve always enjoyed. Since cheesecake is my very favorite dessert, I couldn’t resist coming up with one that re-creates those flavors. I think of my grandmother each time I make it! Sometimes I’ll drizzle the slices with maple syrup. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
4/45
Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Coffee Cakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy making this lovely coffee cake for anniversaries, Valentine's Day and other special occasions. I found the recipe more than 30 years ago, and I've been making it ever since. The delicious treat is a hit with family and friends. —Norma Hammond, Leland, Iowa
5/45
Cinnamon Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
For Christmas one year, a friend gave us a pan of these delicious brownies. Before I figured out their secret was cinnamon, half the pan was already gone! —Gail Mehle, Rock Springs, Wyoming
6/45
Horchata Icebox Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This no-bake horchata icebox cake uses horchata instead of milk to turn instant pudding, cream cheese and Cool Whip into a creamy, dreamy filling between layers of graham crackers. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
7/45
Cashew Baklava
From the Recipe Creator:
I always wanted to make baklava, but it seemed like so much work. A neighbor's friend showed us how to make it—it's really quite easy and so delicious. I like to vary the type of nuts in the filling; you can use walnuts, cashews or pecans. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
8/45
Spice Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I get a craving for a tasty old-fashioned treat, I make this cake. Great cooks in my family have been baking it for generations, and their families have been enjoying the wonderful spice flavor and rich frosting. —Nancy Duty, Jacksonville, Florida
9/45
Mexican Chocolate Sugar Crisps
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma loved these so much, she would hide them from my grandpa! I think of her every time I make a batch. Like Mexican spice? Try stirring in a little chili powder. —Michele Lovio, Thousand Oaks, California
10/45
Monkey Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
Is it possible for four kids to cook together without total chaos in the kitchen? Yes, with the right recipe! This cinnamon roll monkey bread is a favorite with my bunch. They get to 'play' as they roll pieces of refrigerated biscuit dough into balls. —Lisa Combs, Greenville, Ohio
11/45
Cinnamon Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
This small-batch cinnamon ice cream recipe is perfect for a cozy night in. It sits perfectly on top of a baked cookie or is just as sweet on its own. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
12/45
Cinnamon Crackle Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is the compilation of many years of baking. I make these cookies for a holiday bazaar and year-round for our family. They freeze well. —Vicki Lair, Albert Lea, Minnesota
13/45
Cinnamon Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Cinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
14/45
Jam Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember my Aunt Murna telling me she made this old-fashioned jam cake often when she was a young girl. Through the years, she made improvements to it, and her cake became a real family favorite. It has been a popular staple at our reunions. —Janet Robinson, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
15/45
Peanut Butter Cinnamon Snap Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These peanut butter cinnamon cookies are perfect for bake sales, potlucks or holiday gift baskets. Use fun cookie cutters for any occasion you are celebrating. The cookie glaze dries shiny, so they look professional. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
16/45
Cinnamon Peanut Brittle
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this sweet, peanut-packed candy for Christmas and sent some with my husband to work. His co-workers liked it so much they asked for more. It has a lovely glossy look and the cinnamon is a delightful surprise. You’ve got to try this peanut butter brittle recipe. —Grace Miller, Mansfield, Ohio
17/45
Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts? I combined them! This snickerdoodle-blondie hybrid proved even better with caramel, always a favorite ingredient. —Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts
18/45
Baklava Thumbprint Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
The topping on my sister-in-law’s peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe, then decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It’s a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
19/45
Pumpkin Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This pumpkin cake is packed with a warm, seasonal taste from ground cinnamon and pumpkin, bits of crunchy pecans and a rich cream cheese frosting. The flavors combine for a cozy, sweet treat you'll want to have year-round. —Leon Dellinger, Elwood, Indiana
20/45
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don't care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho
21/45
Honey Cinnamon Roll-Ups
From the Recipe Creator:
This cinnamon treat reminds me of baklava, but with only a few easy ingredients, it's a fraction of the work. It's my aunt's recipe, and I think of her when I make it. —Susan Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan
22/45
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
23/45
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
24/45
Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the excellent texture of this easy cinnamon coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma's! Make it the night before a holiday to save time in the morning. —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida
25/45
Candied Pecans
From the Recipe Creator:
I pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas
26/45
Cinnamon Twirl Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These rolled cookies are tasty and fun to make with your family. The sugary mixture of walnuts and cinnamon is a light, sweet filling that will leave everyone wanting another bite. —Phyllis Cappuccio, Malden, Massachusetts
27/45
Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll love this mash-up recipe if you crave the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls at brunch and the decadence of cheesecake for dessert. Cinnamon roll cheesecake offers the best of both worlds! —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
28/45
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
When it’s baking time, my family lobbies for these Mexican crinkle cookies. You can replace 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate with 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder plus 1 Tbsp. shortening, butter or oil. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
29/45
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding
From the Recipe Creator:
A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
30/45
Cinnamon White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to put a spin on the traditional chocolate chip cookie, and who doesn’t love cinnamon? Depending on what you use to drop your cookies, the serving quantity may change. —Cassie Colosimo, Reading, Pennsylvania
31/45
Honey Cinnamon Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My Aunt Ellie gave us the recipe for these sweet bar cookies with cinnamon and walnuts. Drizzle with icing, and serve with coffee or tea. —Diane Myers, Star, Idaho
32/45
Apple Crisp
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
33/45
Pumpkin Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a wonderful recipe I discovered and changed a bit to suit my taste. I love the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to take to work, he said they disappeared in record time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado
34/45
Honey-Nut Swirls
From the Recipe Creator:
Puff pastry creates a quick and easy “dough” for pretty pinwheel-type cookies featuring two types of nuts. The flaky treats are hard to resist.—Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
35/45
Cinnamon Almond Brittle
From the Recipe Creator:
It simply wouldn't be Christmas at our house without this old-time favorite twist on peanut brittle. No one believes how easy it is to make! —Lynette Kleinschmidt, Litchfield, Minnesota
36/45
Cinnamon Crescents
From the Recipe Creator:
I've had the recipe for these crispy cinnamon-sugar roll-ups for years. They're one of my family's favorites and so easy to make. We enjoy them at breakfast with a cup of coffee. —Emily Engel, Quill Lake, Saskatchewan
37/45
Apple Brown Betty Recipe
From the Recipe Creator:
This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it's big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois
38/45
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Craving a cinnamon roll but don’t have time to make one? Find the best store-bought cinnamon rolls to satisfy your craving.
39/45
Cinnamon Quick Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
While cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan
40/45
Mexican Cinnamon Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My extended family shares a meal every Sunday. The aunts and uncles take turns bringing everything from main dishes to desserts like this traditional Mexican cinnamon cookie called reganadas. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
41/45
Cinnamon Fruit Biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
Because these sweet treats are so easy, I'm almost embarrassed when people ask me for the recipe. They're a snap to make with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, sugar, cinnamon and your favorite fruit preserves. —Ione Burham, Washington, Iowa
42/45
Cinnamon Pecan Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a special education teacher and we bake these bars in my life skills class. It 's an easy recipe that my special-needs students have fun preparing. —Jennifer Peters, Adams Center, New York
43/45
Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
44/45
Apple Pie Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
An apple pie cheesecake provides both the warm flavors of fall as well as the classic, rich flavor of cheesecake. The tangy, creamy filling complements the sweetness of the apples, cinnamon and streusel topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
45/45
Pear Tart
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California
Cinnamon Desserts FAQ
What is the best type of cinnamon to use in desserts?
The two main types of cinnamon, Ceylon and cassia, have slightly different flavors, but both are excellent for dessert recipes. Ceylon has a more mellow, floral taste, while cassia, which includes Saigon and Korintje varieties, is bolder with a spicy kick. Ground cinnamon is the easiest way to add the spice to batters and doughs, and cinnamon sticks are great for infusing custards. As long as your cinnamon is fresh, you can’t go wrong.
Are there gluten-free cinnamon dessert options?
Ice cream, crunchy nut brittle and sauteed fruit with a side of whipped cream are naturally gluten-free and delicious options for cinnamon desserts. For baked treats, like gluten-free apple crumble and gluten-free pumpkin bread, use a gluten-free flour mix so you can enjoy all your favorites without compromising on taste.
Can cinnamon be paired with other spices in desserts?
Cinnamon pairs beautifully with other warm spices, like nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom, allspice and even pepper. For something less expected, pair cinnamon with star anise, mace or a pinch of cayenne in cakes, cookies or cheesecakes.
