Let me tell you about my absolute favorite way to get that cozy apple pie flavor without all the work—apple pie cinnamon twists! These golden, flaky twists taste like love in every bite, with just the right mix of sweet apple butter and warm cinnamon. I started making them years ago when my niece begged for “something special” for her school bake sale. Now? They disappear faster than I can bake them at every family gathering. The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry right now, and they come together in under 30 minutes. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be as obsessed as we are!
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Cinnamon Twists
Oh my goodness, where do I even start? These twists are my go-to for so many reasons:
- Ready in a flash – From fridge to table in under 30 minutes (seriously, I’ve timed it!)
- That perfect apple pie taste – All the cozy cinnamon-apple flavor without peeling a single apple
- Works for any occasion – Breakfast treat? Dessert? Midnight snack? (No judgment here!)
- Kids go crazy for them – My nieces and nephews beg me to make these whenever they visit
The cream cheese drizzle is totally optional, but trust me – it takes these from great to “when can you make them again?” amazing!
Apple Pie Cinnamon Twists Ingredients
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible twists:
- For the filling: ¼ cup packed brown sugar (dark or light, your choice!), ¼ cup Musselman’s Apple Butter (this brand makes all the difference), and ¼ cup all-purpose flour to thicken things up
- For assembly: 6 Tablespoons butter, melted (I always use unsalted – more control!), and 1 Tablespoon cinnamon-sugar (I do 3 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon)
- For the drizzle: ¼ cup softened unsalted butter, ¼ cup softened cream cheese (full-fat please!), 1 cup powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (the real stuff!)
Oh, and don’t forget the star – 1 can of crescent dough sheets! The sheets work better than perforated rolls for this recipe.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No apple butter? Try thick applesauce mixed with extra cinnamon! Dairy-free? Use plant-based butter and cream cheese (just check the texture first). If you must use salted butter, reduce any added salt. Warning: super juicy homemade apple butter might make the filling runny – if yours seems thin, add a teaspoon more flour. The twists shouldn’t be sticky before baking!
How to Make Apple Pie Cinnamon Twists
Okay, let’s get twisting! Here’s exactly how I make these beauties every time:
- Preheat that oven! Crank it to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. (I learned the hard way – skipping this means stuck-on twists!)
- Mix your filling – In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, apple butter, and flour until it looks like a thick paste. Taste it? I won’t tell!
- Roll out the dough – Unroll those crescent sheets into 4 rectangles (if using perforated dough, pinch the seams together). Spread half the rectangles evenly with your apple mixture, leaving a tiny border. Top with the remaining rectangles and press the edges really well – this keeps the filling from oozing out!
- Butter up! Brush melted butter over the top layer, then sprinkle generously with cinnamon-sugar. Now cut each rectangle into 6 strips (I use a pizza cutter – so easy!).
- The fun part! Twist each strip 2-3 times and place on your prepared sheet. Sprinkle with more cinnamon-sugar because why not?
- Bake to golden perfection – Just 8-10 minutes until they’re puffed and gorgeous. Watch closely after 7 minutes – they go from perfect to overdone fast!
- Make the drizzle While they cool slightly, beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla until dreamy. Drizzle over warm twists… or serve on the side for dipping!
Pro Tips for Perfect Twists
My hard-earned lessons: Don’t overfill – too much apple mixture makes messy leaks! If your dough gets sticky, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes. And here’s my secret – twist gently but firmly; loose twists unfurl in the oven. Lastly, let them cool just enough before icing – too hot and it melts right off!
Serving & Storage for Apple Pie Cinnamon Twists
Oh, the ways to enjoy these twists! My absolute favorite is with a steaming mug of coffee in the morning – the cinnamon and apple flavors just sing together. For dessert? Try them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top (heaven!). Leftovers? Ha! Just kidding – there never are any in my house. But if you miraculously have some, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They freeze beautifully too – just pop them in a freezer bag for up to a month. To reheat, 10 seconds in the microwave brings back that fresh-baked magic!
Apple Pie Cinnamon Twists FAQs
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Absolutely! Puff pastry works great – just roll it slightly thinner before adding the filling. You’ll get extra flaky layers, but the baking time might increase by 2-3 minutes. Watch for that golden-brown color!
How do I reheat leftover twists?
My favorite trick? 10 seconds in the microwave revives them perfectly. For extra crispiness, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. The icing might get melty, but honestly, that’s half the fun!
Can I make these ahead?
You bet! Assemble the twists (without baking) and refrigerate overnight. Just add an extra minute or two to the bake time since they’ll be cold. The unbaked twists freeze beautifully too – no thawing needed, just bake straight from frozen!
Why is my filling leaking out?
Oh honey, I’ve been there! Two things: 1) Don’t overfill (stick to the ¼ cup measurements), and 2) Press those edges really well – use a fork if needed. A little leakage is normal, but too much means adjust those amounts next time!
Nutritional Information
Nutrition varies based on ingredients and brands used. These values are estimates per twist: about 120 calories, 8g sugar, and 6g fat. Enjoy in moderation (or not – I won’t tell!)
Rate This Recipe
Did these apple pie cinnamon twists make your kitchen smell like heaven? Leave a star rating below and let me know how they turned out!
For more delicious recipes and baking inspiration, check out BestAllTop on Pinterest.
Print
Irresistible Apple Pie Cinnamon Twists You’ll Crave
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 twists per batch 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious apple pie cinnamon twists with a cream cheese icing drizzle.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon-sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, apple butter, and flour until combined.
- Unroll crescent dough and lay it out as 4 rectangles. Spread the apple butter mixture evenly over 2 rectangles. Place the other 2 rectangles on top, pressing edges to seal.
- Brush melted butter over the top rectangles and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Cut each rectangle into 6 strips. Twist each strip and sprinkle with more cinnamon-sugar.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Pipe icing onto cooled twists. Serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Adjust cinnamon-sugar to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 twist
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg