Cinnamon Roll Twist Bread

Cinnamon roll twist bread is a fun play on a classic homemade cinnamon roll recipe. If you love cinnamon rolls then you are going to love this bread.

It reminds me of a cool edible wreath that you might hang on the door during the holidays. But let’s not do that, let’s eat it! This fun and tasty cinnamon roll twist bread is quite easy to make using the same cinnamon rolls dough recipe. All you wind up doing is shaping it a bit differently.

Whenever I am done making it, I always think twice about cutting into because it looks so awesome, but then the amazing aroma, is too much, and I dive in for a slice. It is so simple to make if I can do it you can do it. Let’s get baking!

What is the difference between cinnamon roll twist bread and cinnamon rolls?

There is virtually no different between the two styles of cinnamon rolls. The classic rolls, well, look like cinnamon rolls and will have a glaze or cream cheese frosting on them.

The twist bread uses exactly the same dough and pretty much the same filling and is rolled up, but instead of being cut into a bunch of rolls it is slit down the middle and braided, so the inside winds up being on the outside. And when it bakes it creates a nice cinnamon and sugar crust which is divine.

Of course you could still drizzle a glaze on top if you wanted to, but I never do.

Step 1: How to make cinnamon roll twist bread

In order to make this amazing cinnamon roll twist bread, we need to follow the steps to make the same dough from this homemade cinnamon rolls recipe.

You will need the following ingredients:

• Flour – I like to use bread flour, but all-purpose/plain flour will work too.
• Sugar
• Butter – I generally use unsalted butter, but salted is fine to use.
• Egg
• Yeast – Use active dry, instant, or rapid-rise yeast. Baking powder and baking soda will not work for this recipe as a substitute.
• Water
• Milk
• Salt

Filling

• Sugar – The difference between the two is we will use white granulated sugar, not brown sugar in the filling.
• Cinnamon
• Butter

After you make the dough from that other recipe, knead it, and let it rise. Roll it out the same way you would for the classic cinnamon rolls.

Then baste the top with softened butter, again the same as you would with cinnamon rolls. Now mix together the white granulated sugar and cinnamon, and then sprinkle it on top evenly.

Step 2: Braid the bread

Roll up the dough lengthwise, just as you would for cinnamon rolls. Now is when things change. Instead of using a knife or floss to cut the dough into rolls, take a knife and cut the dough lengthwise all the way down the middle.

If you start the cut a little form the top that will keep those two ends of dough connected which helps with the braiding, but not totally necessary.

Place the slit dough onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. If you slit all the way through the top, pinch those ends together and then twist or braid the two parts of dough together.

When you get done pinch those ends together. Then curl both ends and pinch them together creating the round wreath shape.

Loosely cover the cinnamon roll twist bread with plastic wrap and allow it to rise for about an hour.

Step 3: Bake the bread

Once the dough is almost done rising, preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C. Once preheated, remove the plastic wrap from the dough and place the pan on the middle rack in the oven. Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes until it is nice and golden brown on top and a cinnamon and sugar crunchy crust forms.

It will wind up being nice and soft in the inside, and crispy and crunchy and sugary on the outside, so yummy! Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. And if you wish, you can make the same glaze from the cinnamon rolls recipe and drizzle it on top. Enjoy!

How long does cinnamon roll twist bread last?

If covered in an airtight container, or wrapped in plastic wrap it will remain fresh a few days at room temperature, or about a week in the fridge. You may also freeze it if you like for a few months.

Here are some other recipes you may like:

Apple Crumb Pie

Homemade Hamburger Buns

Quick Cinnamon Rolls Without Yeast

No Knead Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Quick Bread

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Cinnamon Roll Twist Bread

If you love cinnamon rolls you have got to try this cinnamon roll twist bread. It is like one large inverted cinnamon roll and oh is it tasty! A nice crispy sugar outer crust and soft inside.

Prep Time25 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Rising time2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 50 mins

Course: Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crispy, soft, sugary, sweet

Servings: 12 people

Calories: 219kcal

Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

• Bowls
• Whisk
• rolling pin
• Knife
• sheet pan
• silicon mat or parchment paper
• Damp cloth
• Plastic wrap
• Wooden spoon
• Basting brush

Ingredients

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour 340 to 350 g
• ¼ cup sugar 56 g
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter 30 g
• 1 large egg
• 1 package instant yeast or 2¼ tsp. of active dry yeast (9 g)
• ½ cup water 118 ml
• ¼ cup milk 59 ml
• 1 tsp. salt 4 g

Filling

• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar 150g
• 3 Tbsp softened butter 45g
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon 15 g

Instructions

• Add milk and water in a small bowl and heat to 105 to 115 F (40 to 44 C.) Add a teaspoon of the sugar along with the yeast. Set aside for about five to 10 minutes until the mixture gets foamy/frothy.
• In a medium bowl combine the flour and the salt and set aside. 
• Then melt the butter, in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop. Add the melted butter (make sure it isn’t very hot) to the activated yeast along with the rest of your sugar. Whisk to combine. Whisk in the egg to the yeast mixture.

  Add the flour mixture one cup at a time. Mix with a wooden spoon or use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Eventually, the dough will come together and be tacky. You will have about 1/2 cup of flour mixture leftover.
• Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes and add the remaining flour a little at a time as necessary to keep it from being too sticky. Add the dough to a bowl with a bit of oil or spray it with cooking spray. Then cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
• After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch by 20-inch rectangle, it doesn't have to be exact. Then baste the top with softened butter.

  Mix together the sugar and cinnamon and then evenly sprinkle it on the top. Then roll it up lengthwise fairly tight.
• Cut the long snake-like dough lengthwise in half. Try not to cut all the way through at the top, start the cut about an inch away from the top. Then braid the dough and pinch the end. Curl each end together forming a circle or wreath shape. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the bread for 20 to 25 minutes until nice and golden brown on top and crispy/crunchy. Remove the bread and allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. You may also add a glaze on top if you wish. Enjoy!

Video

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Twist Bread | Easy Braided Cinnamon Roll Bread Recipe

Notes

Do you like this recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.